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John Key and his protectors - Source: ONE News -
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The Diplomatic Protection Service blew its budget in the past financial year by more than $800,000.
Figures released under the Official Information Act show the budget for 2009/10 was $3.98 million, but it rose by about 20% to $4.8 million.
About $30,000 of the budget went on providing Prime Minister John Key with protection during his summer holiday in Hawaii.
The DPS provides personal protection in New Zealand for the Prime Minister and Governor General.
Dignitaries and visiting guests of government are also included in its responsibilities, with the bill being met by the police.
Tasks include venue and accommodation searches, walking escorts and advance venue and route familiarisation and planning.
Labour has accused Key of using the DPS excessively.
"Having protection of the Prime Minister is a good thing," Labour MP Pete Hodgson said.
"It's a reasonable thing but it needs to be used reasonably and I'm afraid the current Prime Minister seems to use it for visual effects."
"Helen Clark when she went overseas for a private holiday never took protection with her. I'm sure Jenny Shipley never took protection with her, I think John Key enjoys having people hanging just behind him, I think he enjoys the entourage."
But Key said he can't influence his DPS cover. "I can't say I do or don't want it".
"The police have a responsibility and they carry out that responsibility without reference to me," he said.
"DPS covers not only me, obviously the Governor General and a lot of visiting diplomats that come from overseas and dignitaries so really I can't explain that because it's not accountable to me."
When ONE News asked the police where the extra $800,000 went, they said matters around the DPS were not discussed.
However, Police Minister Judith Collins said: "They are threats that are very significant and some have been quite recent".
Follow Michael Parkin, who broke this story on ONE News, on Twitter @Michael_Parkin - http://twitter.com/#!/@Michael_Parkin
Do you agree with the amount of money spent on the Diplomatic Protection Service? Have your say on the messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentDead Center said on 2011-05-07 @ 09:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
For the Minister of tourism to holiday in Hawaii is absolutely ridiculous, it shows that he has no faith in the brand (New Zealand) that he is selling. Come to New Zealand he says... while he leads by example and holidays everywhere else.
bta said on 2011-05-07 @ 02:30 NZDT: Report abusive post
He is borrowing 300 million a week, why should he care for a mere $800,000 budget blow out! He is having the time of his life, and it is not going to last forever, right? He needs to feel it and must take all he can, before his ride is over!!
Murtscru said on 2011-05-06 @ 23:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
When will the Labour Party provide the voting public with anything fresh and innovative regarding their election policies rather than always complaining about what National is doing? Answer - NEVER. They have no ideas and they have no chance of winning with their current strategy of trawling for garbage to smear Key with. Sack them all and start with Hodgson!
left of center said on 2011-05-06 @ 22:23 NZDT: Report abusive post
Really scrapping the barrel TVNZ, you call this important news? When are we going to get a decent tv station in NZ with even a reasonable standard of news. Sure it's not great that the budget was overshot but first article on the news.....really!
size5 said on 2011-05-06 @ 22:18 NZDT: Report abusive post
Do grow up and stop this mindless media sensationalism, the "cost" of protecting all high profile NZers is a domestic one. The police assigned are Kiwis, paid as any other government employees are, all good for the economy, they pay taxes, live here and spend their wages here. Would we rather sack them all and let any nutcase attack our prime minister or any other public servant? I don't think so. The US spend more PA on just 4 bodyguards for Obama!!