22 December 2000 Media Statement

One rule for all

Act leader Richard Prebble's claim for a Wellington Accommodation Allowance this year will be investigated as part of a Parliamentary Service inquiry.

Acting Prime Minister Jim Anderton says Mr Prebble reportedly owns a house in Wellington Central, registered on the electoral roll as recently as 15 October in Wellington Central and claims a Wellington Accommodation Allowance.

"It is interesting that Mr Prebble's public statement yesterday glaringly failed to mention that he claims an allowance, owns a house and registers on the Wellington electoral roll while he has his household in Auckland. Instead, it was meant to read as if he has never claimed an allowance in his life. When Mr Prebble does something it is 'inadvertent'. When anyone does exactly the same thing, it is 'deliberate.'

"On the information publicly available, Mr Prebble is entitled to claim an allowance in these circumstances, for the same reason that Phillida Bunkle is entitled. The only difference between them is that Mr Prebble actually stood in Wellington Central.

"Mr Prebble's case will have to be examined, as will the circumstances of any other MP in the same position.

"Act's Mr Franks is calling for the police to be brought in. I assume he will now be reporting his own leader to the Commissioner of Police, in order to be consistent.

"There is, as Act often demand, one rule for all," Jim Anderton said.

ENDS

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