Ministerial spending tops $1m in three months
Government ministers racked up more than $1 million in expenses during the final three months of last year.
Information released by the Department of Internal Affairs show between them, ministers from the National, ACT, Maori and United Future parties spent $1,155,908 on Wellington accommodation, out of Wellington travel expenses, domestic air travel and surface travel.
Not surprisingly, given the amount of events he attended both in New Zealand and overseas, and the fact there was an election campaign at the time, the biggest spender was Prime Minister John Key with a total of $121,884.
Others to spend more than $50,000 between October 1, 2011 and December 31 of the same year in National's total of $992,065 were Judith Collins on $74,138, Steven Joyce on $62,223, Georgina Te Heuheu on $55,666 and David Carter on $52,495.
Maori Party co-leaders Tariana and Pita Sharples spent $57,260 and $72,473 respectively.
No other individual member of the government executive topped $50,000 during the three months.
MPs' spending during the same period was $3,163,680.
Of that, only two MPs, former Labour leader Phil Goff and Mana leader Hone Harawira topped $30,000. Mr Goff spent $32,566, while Mr Harawira spent $54,961.
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Comments and questions7
Just what is going on here?
The last Speaker performed a very careful dance in appearing to do something without actually constraining politician's excesses in any meaningful way.
Let us hope that we will now have some proper rules in place??
peter martin
That's ridiculous ... I don't think the countries top business people or millionaires would rack up such bills
Disgusting but not unexpected. Once they get their noses in the trough, there is no stopping NZ MP's. They are a greedy bunch only, really interested in lining their own pockets or building tehir egos. The Speaker is impotent on the subject of expenses cos no doubt he has taken advantage of what's available too. Air NZ must be laughing all the way to the bank... the MP's pay the full rack rate for their flights...cheapies would never occur to them..tax payer pays !!
Thats why these imberseals are in power to waste money, because they cant get a job in the real world,half of them couldnt run a tap.
Apparently some people have no idea wahtsoever that we are still in recession.. spend up and spend on while the country burns with debt.
Apparently some people have no idea wahtsoever that we are still in recession.. spend up and spend on while the country burns with debt.
Fine! So much money THEY spent. But what WE got in return except for a bunch of Sucker Idiots?
It is indeed a Great SHMAE that in a country where its people are still talking and thinking about the price of Milk, and how to put it on the table, its MPs are shamelessly living lavishly withouth any regards whatsoever for their constituents untill the next election. That is when their lie-factories work at peak and everyone of them becomes a good and concerned boy and girl!
Now, who says that there is "No Corruption in New Zealand"? Sadly, we have it in different forms at the highest echelons-- among our law -makers!
when
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