The agency that oversees politicians' spending has new powers
to call in the debt collectors on MPs and parties found to
have unlawfully spent public money, preventing a repeat of
the aftermath of the 2005 election.
Mayoral elections in Otago's "heartland" this year have
attracted 14 candidates. The Otago Daily Times today
continues its series profiling candidates, with Oamaru
reporter David Bruce interviewing Ralph Burrell.
The possibility, however remote, of as many as four
by-elections in Opposition-held seats before year's end is
exercising the minds of all political parties - and the
so-called "commentariate" - at present.
