Returns of party expenses for the 2011 election have been released. The big story? The Conservatives, who spent nearly $1.9 million [PDF], $100,000 more than Labour, in an effort to buy their way into Parliament. There were unsuccessful - there just aren't enough crazy, child-beating fundies out there - but its indicative of Colin Craig's mindset that he thinks he just needs to throw money at the problem. But that's exactly why we have spending limits: to prevent wealthy individuals like him from turning elections into money-mediated shouting matches.
In other news, the Alliance spent less than the ALCP (they ran fewer candidates too). Another example of their decline.
