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MPs need to get their heads around new transparency for their allowances but it will ensure more careful use of taxpayer money, Prime Minister John Key says.
Act leader Rodney Hide, who is also Local Government Minister, will hand Parliamentary Services a cheque for nearly $12,000 on Monday, to pay back taxpayer funds used to take his partner on overseas trips.
Hide apologised for claiming a 90% fare discount when he took Louise Crome to Hawaii for a holiday and also for her to accompany him on a ministerial trip to London, Canada and the United States to study local government structures.
On that trip the couple attended Crome's brother's wedding.
Hide is entitled to the money, but had made a name for himself in Parliament by campaigning as a "perkbuster" and criticising allowances.
Also Key had earlier told ministers that on official trips they should pay for partners themselves.
Key says MPs needed to accept that while they were spending within the rules transparency would change how they operated.
"We live in a world of enormous transparency where everything you do will be judged," he told NewstalkZB.
"It doesn't mean you shouldn't do things...we've got to be careful we don't let this spook MPs so they don't do anything."
However, MPs had to be able to justify what they spent taxpayer money on: "You've just got to be able to stack up your actions."
Key says Hide had learned from his mistakes.
"He's rectified that and I think the people of Epsom will stick with him."
Key also said Hide's apology was the most fulsome he had seen from a politician.
"What he did was probably not appropriate given the campaign that he'd waged...you live by the sword you die by the sword."
Hide also had to apologise for remarks he made, saying Key had done little in government and being critical of Cabinet colleagues.
Key says Hide had his "absolute" confidence and that of ministers and "no one's taking them (the comments) seriously."
Hide has vowed he will never again claim taxpayer money for holidays and said he had seriously examined himself after doing it.
"I just thought...those are the rules, and that's where I lost sight of it," he said.
"It's not easy for anyone to admit they've stuffed up."
What do you think of Rodney Hide's apology? Share your thoughts on the messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentcornflower said on 2009-11-09 @ 10:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
The hypocrisy of Hide defies belief.
lizblack said on 2009-11-09 @ 09:00 NZDT: Report abusive post
I agree with Adam that a law change is needed. MP's MUST practise what they preach. It's sad that Rodney Hyde has only changed his mind over misuse of funding because of public outcry. Taxes are not paid to pay for indulgences.
dancingqueen said on 2009-11-09 @ 05:18 NZDT: Report abusive post
OK! while your arranging for Rodney's neck. Sack Chris Carter the little pansy, who was every bit as bad swanning around with his boyfriend, at the Tax Payers costs. He is hopeless case. I would like to see him gone by lunch time.
santa0007 said on 2009-11-09 @ 04:05 NZDT: Report abusive post
Bring back Winston Peters, Many towns & cities could do with his expertise than these guys. Maori things for Maori people,simple really, the Govt has all the marbles, nothing wrong with playing with them.
peteredw said on 2009-11-08 @ 20:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
Good on you, Rodney, for admitting you did wrong. We all do the thing at times and it takes 'guts' to admit our wrongdoing. I accept your apology and will continue to give ACT my Party Vote in elections.