Labour leader Phil Goff says he is satisfied with Chris Carter's public apology but the shamed MP remains on leave and there is no date set for his return.Mr Goff said he had not spoken to Mr Carter and the situation was the "same as before".Mr
Labour leader Phil Goff says he is satisfied with Chris Carter's public apology but the shamed MP remains on leave and there is no date set for his return.
Mr Goff said he had not spoken to Mr Carter and the situation was the "same as before".
Mr Carter would remain on leave for "whatever the appropriate period of time is in my judgement", Mr Goff said.
Mr Carter -- one of three demoted because of their credit card spending while ministers in the previous government -- initially refused to apologise and led media on a chase through the halls of Parliament.
He was put on indefinite stress leave and later issued a written apology.
He was not removed from the conservation portfolio awarded him in the party reshuffle.
Asked today if he was worried about Mr Carter's state of mind, Mr Goff said he hoped some time off would resolve the issues.
"I considered that he was under real stress yesterday and he was making poor judgements, that's why he's on leave."
In "due course" he should front up to the media over the issue.
Mr Carter needs to acknowledge the public concern over the frequency and cost of his travel, Mr Goff told reporters.
"I think that the situation is that he travelled too frequently and at too great a cost.
"I think that ministers have to be conscious of the fact that they are spending the tax dollars of hardworking New Zealanders and they need to be more frugal in their attitude."
Mr Carter travelled too much for a minister not responsible for trade or foreign affairs.
There were "wider responsibilities", such as those who sanctioned the travel, including Mr Goff.
The fact that Mr Carter was gay was not "significant" to the issue, Mr Goff said.
Shane Jones and Mita Ririnui were also stripped of their portfolio responsibilities.
Both accepted their punishment.
Mr Goff said he had not sought Mr Jones' resignation.
Mitigating factors in Mr Jones case were that be paid the money back well before the issue became public and that he had fronted and taken responsibility.
"Shane is still considering his position but I believe that he has done the right thing."
Mr Goff said Mr Jones had been "sanctioned strongly".
