A ministerial jaunt in a helicopter is being described as a
cavalier waste of taxpayer's money given the government's busy
crying poor.
The opposition says a helicopter ride over Auckland by the
Education Minister Anne Tolley is a slap in the face for public
servants being threatened with a pay freeze.
Tolley recently took a helicopter trip over the campus of the Auckland University of Technology.
Labour calls it a joyride and a waste of money.
The opposition questions whether it was a result of the Minister misunderstanding the concept of getting a helicopter view of the issues.
"Can the Prime Minister confirm what the benefits were either for education or for the hardworking taxpayers whose money funded this jaunt," says Labour leader Phil Goff.
Tolley was away for the day in Queenstown so her colleague was left explaining the benefits of the trip funded by AUT.
Cabinet Minister Wayne Mapp's defending his colleague saying the trip was suggested by AUT.
Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says he sees nothing wrong in the use of the helicopter.
He says it's quite normal practice for ministers to take rides in helicopters.
"It is quite normal practice for ministers to take rides in helicopters, it's done all the time."
English denies it was a cavalier use of taxpayer's money, as the government has substantial investment in tertiary institutions in Auckland.
A spokeswoman for Tolley says it was to give the minister a greater understanding of population growth in Auckland.
Critics are suggesting the government's throwing plenty of money its own way in the form of tax cuts.
"Why does the minister think its acceptable to give himself an effective pay rise of $2500 but tell police officers, social workers, firemen, prison officers and other hard working New Zealanders that they will have to accept a pay freeze," says Grant Robertson, Labour State Services.
