Media releases: Governor-General an expensive indulgence, says Republican
Movement

Governor-General An Expensive Indulgence, Says Republican Movement

MEDIA RELEASE 23 May 2008

"The 2008 Budget has revealed the true cost to the taxpayer of the Queen's
representative" said Lewis Holden, chair of the Republican Movement.

The New Zealand taxpayer now spends $10.95m per year on the office of
Governor-General. By way of contrast, the 2008 Irish budget shows the President
of Ireland costs a mere $6.7m per year. The Budget also shows the government
plans to spend $46.6m on fixing and upgrading Government House in Wellington.

"If we are to spend this kind of money on a historic house, it should be for
the home of our democratically-elected head of state - not accommodation for a
fly-by-night ribbon-cutting emissary of overseas royalty" continued Mr Holden.

The Irish President is constitutionally empowered to act as a check on the
prime minister and cabinet, is democratically elected and is always regarded as
Ireland's head of state when she travels overseas. Our Governor-General does and
is none of these things yet costs taxpayers more, only causing confusion
overseas, and is constitutionally hog-tied even in times of crisis.

"It's time taxpayers got value for money and New Zealand created a head of
state of our own. We might just save some money in the process" concluded Mr
Holden.

ENDS

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