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Prime Minister John Key speaks at a press conference - Source: ONE News -
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The Prime Minister has announced the scope of the shake-up surrounding the expenses saga.
John Key ordered the review after concerns were made about double dipping on allowances after MPs' travel and accommodation costs were made public on June 30.
That move followed outrage in Britain when details of politicians spending were made public.
The review will have a narrow scope, focusing on ministers' accommodation costs when they are in Wellington.
Some MPs are getting market rates on Wellington properties they own , while claiming allowances to live in different properties.
In several cases MPs rented apartments to colleagues who would pay them in allowances.
Also deputy prime minister and Finance Minister Bill English is under fire over allowances he gets for living in his own Wellington home.
The government hopes the review will result in a more simple expenses system that's easier for ministers to understand, more open and transparent and will cost taxpayers less.
The house was reportedly designated an official ministerial residence by Internal Affairs and is leased back from the English family trust that owns it.
The the review will identify:
- How to ensure criteria for ministerial accommodation were simple, easy to understand, transparent and cost effective to administer;
- How to ensure value for taxpayer money;
- Ensure ministers and their families get suitable accommodation in Wellington.
Review results will identify possible accommodation services
options and will recommend either:
- Keeping the current model;
- Amending the current model giving options;
- Replacing it all together or in part;
- Giving timeframes for implementation of changes;
- Address other issues that arose from the review.
- The report would go to Mr Key by August 31.
The Department of Internal Affairs will carry out the review and pass its findings on to the Prime Minister at the end of August.
Meanwhile, National is trying to divert attention from itself and onto Labour's expenses when it was in power.
ONE News has found out that five mid-ranking Labour ministers
spent more than $100, 000 on domestic travel and accommodation
costs in just six months.
Share your thoughts about MPs expenses on the message board
below. Are they spending too much taxpayer money?
Add a Comment:
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!