Nathan Guy
National Party MP

13 September 2006

Multimillion-dollar consultants’ fee questioned

National Party Horowhenua-based MP Nathan Guy says Labour is spending about $123,000 per house in consultancy fees as it attempts to relocate residents from the Kimberley Health Centre.

“Consultants are costing the taxpayer an average of around $123,000 per house.”

In total, some $8 million has been spent on consultants when the total budget for the building or renovating of 65 homes is $55 million.

“I absolutely support these former residents moving into our community, but this massive bill isn’t for bricks and mortar, it’s for advice.

“Chris Carter owes taxpayers an explanation as to why the $123,000 average consultancy fee per house wouldn’t have been better spent on actual housing.

“There are hundreds of staff at HNZ, and Labour has previously criticised the use of consultants.

“Is this finally an admission, that despite its bloating of the bureaucracy over the past seven years, Labour still hasn’t got the right people in the right jobs?”

ENDS

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