I don't believe Labour have done anything illegal, as National didn't do anything illegal with the Brethren (Nikki Hager admits his frustration in The Hollow Men that he could come up with no smoking gun).

However, the stench of hypocrisy is overwhelming. Labour spent a good part of last year banging on about the evils of big money in politics, and passing draconian legislation to supposedly rein it in, all the while knowing that they themselves had taken big money - and from an individual who makes "rich prick" John Key look like an average wage earner.

Labour repeatedly accused National of selling policy for cash, so the question must be what policy did Owen Glenn get for his cash? Do as I say, not as I do is just not good enough. New standards of accountability and transparency my backside.

Colin

"Poor Labour. Things really aren’t going according to plan."

No they surely are not. It seems the plan was to accuse National of all the things they have been doing themselves and get away with it. Well they haven't got away with it.

I think that it's too late for the traditional "move on" we hear everytime the Labour party are caught with their pants around their ankles, however there is nothing in all of this that can't be sorted out with a full formal inquiry. We need full disclosure so that voters can be sure just who is being a puppet master for our apparently easily bought political parties.

One thing we do need though, and it will be something that will be a divergence from the norm, is that Labour should not be setting the terms for any inquiry on this. There is simply not enough whitewash in the country for this one, although I'm sure Labour know somebody who could arrange to ship in a few million tons of it so that we can find out that an inquiry exonerates the Labour and NZ First parties.

No scandal, much stupidity, too many mouths opened, faulty memories. Oh gee. This time the Nats don't even have to stir the pot: Labour & Winston are wallowing in their own mud. And no national security or economic development issues at stake. So who cares? Great fun to read about, though.

Meanwhile John Key apparently promises a Kerikeri business audience that he'd love to see wages drop – although he can’t remember what he said. And he has apparently promised a $200 million dollar suspensory loan to agri-business interests, perhaps in violation of international trading agreements…

But the media hardly raises an eyebrow even though both stories provide clear insights into how Key would perform as Prime Minister.

Now tell me, which of these stories has more of an impact on the lives of ordinary New Zealanders: the Owen Glenn story about what he might or might not have been talking about and the (absolutely transparent) donations/loans he has given to Labour; or the story about whether Key would enact anti-worker policies (such as 90-days with no rights at work/a minimum wage freeze/union-busting/ACC privatisation/etc) that would result in lower wages and conditions for Kiwis; or the story about whether Key has been promising huge business subsidies that could threaten our international trading arrangements.

Perhaps some insight on the policies that matter would be good. New Zealand is still waiting to hear what Key would actually do as Prime Minister.

"Over-egging the pudding"

More like Just Desserts for a venal and corrupt government.

Perhaps Owen Glenn is leader of the left wing faction of the Exclusive Brethren - the Red Brothers!

Well put Colin (although you'll be berated for being a Nat supporter, again, since you are actually pointing out the facts/perceptions and not sweeping them under Labour's, now rather large, carpet)

As I have previously posted, I think it's all going to amount to nothing as I feel nothing illegal has occurred, but nice to see Helen squirm for once, and Winston when he returns....been a while since she/Winny have been under the political blow torch, she's normally, conveniently, out of the country when stories of this nature appear and leaves Cullen to face the music and answer questions in the house, or is that just my imagination?

Stories like these highlight the danger big money plays in trying ti "fix" political outcomes. I well recall the untraced millions spent by the so-called "Campaign for better Government" opposing MMP in 1993. Then the millions supporting the ACT party who never could manage much at the polls after their cash was cut off by the wealthy backers who wanted to buy the laws they wanted. Every party is vulnerable to such practices. Whether or not they have done it themselves from time to time, at least Labour has done something positive to put a stop to millionaires trying to buy elections through secret funds and proxies. That isn't a claim anyone could make about National or ACT or most other parties.

I disagree, I do think this is a major scandal until such time as the following questions are answered

1. Who made the donation to NZ First allowing them to pay the taxpayer? 2. Has Mike Williams properly accounted for the Interest Free Loan? 3. Did OG offer money to the Maori Party following the last election?

These questions are critical to maintaining the honesty and integrity of our democracy.

"No-one’s saying this is Watergate."

Too true, Colin. Watergate was the result of dedicated journalists working damn hard to uncover the secrets.

Whereas this story is about reporting what is public, and ignoring the secrets.

Finding out where National got their money from, and what the donors wanted in return - now that would be Watergate. You don't get that information in a media release.

News is what people don't want to tell you.