Shane Jones, MP, on Labour's democracy rationing proposals

The Clark Government's proposals to take advantage of the outcry over their own corrupt election spending takes two forms: democracy rationing, which includes a ban or severe limits on private donations to political parties, requiring instead that the taxpayer fund political parties in a manner that favours the two big parties; and speech rationing, placing severe limits on political criticism in election year.

Note that the Clark Government democracy rationing proposals provide an exemption for unions. Newstalk ZB interviewer asked Labour MP Shane Jones why:

INTERVIEWER: "Why would you exempt unions?"

LABOUR MP SHANE JONES: "They're valuable and long term supporters of ours, etc..."

You can hear the interview here [hat tip DPF]. Question and admission comes 1:45 in. Links to banana republic electioneering welcomed in the comments section.