Wellington MPs Cannot Claim Allowance

Thursday 21st Dec 2000 Richard Prebble Media Release -- Other

In response to media requests Hon Richard Prebble, the former MP for Wellington Central, confirmed that as a Wellington resident enrolled on the Wellington Central electoral roll, he did not claim the Wellington nightly allowance.

“MPs are only entitled to the Wellington nightly allowance if their normal residence is outside Wellington.

“I am sympathetic of Phillida’s case for having a Ministerial house. By law as a Minister she is entitled to receive a Ministerial house. Who really believes that if Helen Clark was an MP for Wellington Central, rather than Mt Albert, she would not take up residence in Premier House?

“However the question of the nightly allowance is not a matter for discretion. The Wellington Central allowance is $15,000 tax free, almost as much as a married couple on national super receive in a year. An MP must sign every month that they are lawfully entitled to claim the allowance and the law is quite clear, to make such a claim without entitlement, is fraudulent.

“I urge Phillida Bunkle to clarify as soon as possible, exactly what she did, and why,” said Hon Richard Prebble.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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