Re Attack On Defence Travel Costs

Chief Of Defence Air Marshal Carey Adamson

“Inferences made under Parliamentary privilege by New Zealand First spokesperson on defence, Ron Mark, that travel by service chiefs and their spouses are perk trips are wrong and misleading.

“Spouse travel on official visits at the invitation of host countries is a matter of protocol.

“All internal travel expenses are met by the host country. Similarly when New Zealand hosts international visitors, internal expenses are met by the New Zealand Government.

“As a small nation, New Zealand must build networks of trust with the military of like-minded nations. The Nations who contributed troops to our Battalion in East Timor did so because they knew and trusted us on a personal level.

“Official visits are an important component of building such relationships.

“All travel by service chiefs and their spouses on official visits is endorsed by me and approved by Government.

“References to the position of our service men and women on peace support operations around the world also need clarifying.

“All serving personnel on missions overseas receive a daily leave allowance of $US50 a day (around$NZ125). Most personnel use this allowance to meet with their spouses. In addition, personnel serving in East Timor receive a daily allowance of $NZ75 a day after tax.

“Service personnel serving overseas for more than 183 days receive fully paid travel to either meet with their families or to fly their families to meet them."

ENDS

© Scoop Media