Media Release

24 November 1999

WINZ HIGH-ROLLING LIFE

New Zealand First Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters, has challenged the Prime Minister to explain why WINZ are sub-leasing late-model Mercedes cars at $1100 a month.

WINZ recently acquired 16 late-model Mercedes Benz cars on lease, five of which are in Auckland. Because of embarrassing leaked scandals highlighting gross misuse of public money, instead of using these cars, WINZ have sub-leased them to private New Zealanders.

The lease contracts cost $2,000 per month, yet WINZ are sub-leasing them at $900 per month.

"This is one further example of a gross misuse of public money", said Mr Peters.

"It should be remembered that these irresponsible examples arise from Labour's 1988 State Sector Act and National's refusal to bring bureaucrats into line with proper accountability procedures".

ENDS

Contact: Tauranga Electorate Office (07) 578 1797

© Scoop Media

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