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Parliament's Speaker says he is confident there has been no abuse of expenses, and that the spending of Ministers and MPs revealed on Thursday is justified.
Lockwood Smith says he believes politicians are making a real effort in the tough economic climate to cut back on spending. Click here to see the full rundown of expenses claimed by MPs .
MPs can fly free anywhere, anytime in New Zealand. The same applies to their partner as long as it is not for private business trips.
Smith says it is vital MPs' partners are included in the travel entitlements, so they can spend time together.
"This place chews, destroys and spits out families too readily," he says.
Labour's Foreign Affairs spokesman Chris Carter, who spent $57,000 on airfares in the past six months, admits mixing business with pleasure travelling to North America, Britain and China.
The Te Atatu MP has the highest airfare costs of any MP outside of cabinet.
Labour's spokesman on expenses, Trevor Mallard, says the expenditure is high because Carter has portfolios and responsibilities that involve extra travel.
He says under his Foreign Affairs responsibilities, Carter has represented the Opposition in China, Canada, the US and Britain.
Act's Sir Roger Douglas racked up $44,000 in travel and admits he flew to Britain with his wife to see his grandchildren on a 90% discounted rate.
"I'm entitled to claim back 90% of my overseas travel and I did that for a trip to the UK which I took with my wife," he says.
Legally he is allowed to do that, but questions are now being asked if that is morally acceptable in the current economic climate.
In just six months Douglas has clocked up a bill of about $62,000 including the $44,000 on airfares.
Long service is the justification Douglas uses for the public paying for his private trip.
"This is a right that Helen Clark has, Jim Bolger has, it is something that I would have been able to do whether I was an MP or not," he says.
Meanwhile, Hone Harawira says his big electorate is behind his big expenses bill.
"My territory is probably a hundred times bigger than Te Atatu, that's less than what Chris Carter has spent," he says.
Harawira has spent nearly $80,000 in six months.
"I think the people of Tai Tokerau will probably say 'Way to go, you're doing the bizzo, you're getting out there, you're seeing the people, you're pushing the issues we want you to push'," he says.
Entitlements
If MPs fly overseas, even for a holiday, they can claim between 25% and 90% of the airfare back from the taxpayer.
They can use as many taxis as they want, rental cars, use VIP transport or be reimbursed for mileage.
MPs also get an allowance of up to $180 a night for staying in hotels outside of Wellington.
When they are at parliament, they can either spend $160 a night on a hotel or claim rent or mortgage cover of up to $24,000 a year.
Do you believe these expenses are justified? Share your
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Post new commentcueboy said on 2010-10-30 @ 13:35 NZDT: Report abusive post
I am surprised this message board is not inundated with messages castigating The Speaker of the House Lockwood Smith, over his ruling on MPs expenditure. They have got to be accountable, its not thier money, it belongs to the Tax Payers of New Zealand. Secrecy is a path would should not go down.I hope all New Zealanders follow this one up, and not let it die the death, to let the sticky fingers loose on the purse strings of this Nation will become a finacial problem in months and years to come.
cueboy said on 2010-10-30 @ 10:54 NZDT: Report abusive post
Great to see the Pime minister agrees with Transparency over travel by MPS. Its a pity the speaker of the house dosent share his view.Then again to anyone who has time to watch Parliament during the day, gee what a fiasco.All the questions are loaded to enhance the initial question asked.Talk about lack of honesty.Talk about free money, some sit there all day looking to the gallery, mostly the older ones.Transparency is wanted.
kiwi666 said on 2010-10-30 @ 10:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
Come on NZ you sould know its one rule for them and another rule for us mp look after them selfs
Noddy samurai said on 2010-10-30 @ 07:26 NZDT: Report abusive post
Every mature adult has the responsibility to be held accountable for his/her actions it's part of growing up; Please MP Ministers grow up have responsibility and common sense ... Only a child has to hide some thing
ThousandDemons said on 2010-10-30 @ 04:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
HELLZ NO they shouldn't be able to keep how much they're spending away from the public eye if we have to foot the bill. ESPECIALLY if it's for their own personal joys, rather than for any work-related spending. EITHER way, we should know, because we're PAYING FOR IT!!! KICK THEM OUT!