Green MP Darleen Tana, Verve Magazine publishers referred to police

Monday, 24 June 2024

Green MP Darleen Tana and the publishers of Verve Magazine have been referred to police by the Electoral Commission over allegedly failing to include an authorisation statement in an election advertisement.

The stood-down MP is already involved in a separate investigation launched by the Green Party that has surpassed 14 weeks and cost at least $43,000.

A statement from the Electoral Commission said it referred Tana and the publishers “over an alleged failure to include a promoter statement in an election advertisement published in May 2023”.

“Under section 204F of the Electoral Act an election advertisement must contain a promoter statement.”

The election advertisement was referred to the Electoral Commission in May this year, after it was published in May 2023.

Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick was made aware on May 22 of the situation, after writer Thomas Cranmer tweeted Tana’s electoral return and what appeared to be an article featured in Verve Magazine.

The article has since been removed from the website.

Swarbrick said it was declared to the Electoral Commission “but it did not carry with it an authorisation statement”.

“The Greens take really seriously compliance with electoral law. To that effect, we've had conversations with the Green Party itself and my understanding is that the party has referred this onto the Electoral Commission,” she said at the time.

“The law says this sits with candidates candidates and the Green Party make it abundantly clear to all of our candidates across the country that that responsibility sits with them.”

Tana’s return showed $2416 for candidate only election advertising, labelled as “Verve Magazine, paid article published May 2023”.