Goff's rental property all but sold
Labour leader Phil Goff says he has all but sold a Wellington investment property that he had rented out while claiming a taxpayer allowance to live elsewhere.
Labour leader Phil Goff says he has all but sold a Wellington investment property that he had rented out while claiming a taxpayer allowance to live elsewhere.
Housing allowances for MPs came under scrutiny in 2009 when some government ministers were revealed to have rented out their properties to other MPs, with the taxpayer picking up the bill.
Mr Goff promised to sell his investment property in the suburb of Thorndon after questions were raised in December.
He said at the time that renting out the property was within parliamentary rules and there was "no rort here".
Mr Goff confirmed today that he had found a buyer after the last tenant moved out in December.
"It was my intention to sell it, and that's exactly what I've done," he told NZPA.
"The former tenant has moved out, I said I'd put it on the market at that point, and I have."
A sale agreement was signed and a deposit paid a couple of weeks ago. The matter was now in the hands of his lawyers.
"It has been sold, provided the money is finally paid across by the set date," he said.
Mr Goff rented out the property for 10 years after moving into a ministerial house while in government.
The house was still tenanted when Labour lost the 2008 election and Mr Goff moved into a rental.
Cabinet Minister Gerry Brownlee said last year that Mr Goff had taken a hard-line on accommodation allowances and had "a bit to explain" over the rental property.
NZPA
Mon, 14 Mar 2011
Mon, 14 Mar 2011
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Goff's rental property all but sold
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