The Auditor-General will not conduct an inquiry into the spending of National Party MP Pansy Wong, who resigned from Parliament this morning.Mrs Wong resigned, effective from January 17, saying she was concerned allegations of misuse of taxpayer-funded tr
The Auditor-General will not conduct an inquiry into the spending of National Party MP Pansy Wong, who resigned from Parliament this morning.
Mrs Wong resigned, effective from January 17, saying she was concerned allegations of misuse of taxpayer-funded travel would hurt the National Government.
She earlier stood down from Cabinet over the allegations and today said the ongoing controversy had become a distraction for the Government, as well as being hard on her family.
Auditor-General Lyn Provost this afternoon said she would not be investigating Mrs Wong's travel expenses.
"I have been watching developments closely since the report from the independent inquiry commissioned by the Speaker, and I have actively considered whether to carry out an inquiry into Mrs Wong's travel expenses," Mrs Provost said.
"Irrespective of Mrs Wong's decision to resign from Parliament, I had already decided that further investigation by this office is not warranted. My decision took into account the Speaker's inquiry and my view of what best serves the public interest at this point."
Mrs Provost said clarifying the rules and administration for spending by MPs and ministers would do more public good than mounting another inquiry into Mrs Wong's travel expenses.
"It is very clear to me that a flawed system and weaknesses in administration are not helping our MPs and ministers to spend and account for public money in a way that is open and transparent to everyone," she said.
"For the public to have confidence in Parliament, the system needs to be fixed once and for all."
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