Responding to the NZ Herald report that five MPs and
their partners have taken off on a tour of Europe at a cost
of $138,000 to the taxpayer, Taxpayers’ Union Executive
Director, Jordan Williams, says:
“We can all appreciate
a degree of inter-Parliamentary dialogue and international
travel is necessary for MPs. What is questionable is why
MPs, unlike just about any other job with a travel
component, are entitled to have their spouse come along too.
Why should taxpayers’ money be second class?”
"Even if
the MP pays the difference for taking their spouse on a trip
overseas, the question remains: is this a work trip, or a
taxpayer-funded
junket?."
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