Mayor Bob Mayor Bob Parker attacks Jim Anderton’s decision not to resign from Parliament

Today Mayor Bob Parker attacked Jim Anderton’s decision not to resign from Parliament while he is pursuing the Christchurch mayoralty.

Bob Parker says, “Mr Anderton says he wants to save ratepayers the cost of a by-election, what he is not saying is that once you add up his parliamentary salary, benefits and associated costs it amounts to well over $500,000 per annum. This is around the same cost as a by-election so in fact if he were to resign it would be cost neutral to taxpayers and ratepayers.

“Mr Anderton should do the right thing and follow the lead of Mana MP Luamanuvao Winne Laban who is resigning as an MP to pursue an academic career. She has set a great example by doing the decent thing and not double dipping.

“As an MP and leader of the Progressive Party, Mr Anderton receives a leader’s salary of $144,500, as well as access to $14,800 in expenses without having to claim for them. As parliament’s longest serving member, he is the father of the house and therefore receives 90 per cent off all travel for himself and his wife, including international travel at business class rates. He is also entitled to exceptionally good superannuation.

“Further, as leader of the Progressive Party in parliament, of which he is of course the only member, he receives $187,000 funding to support the leader's office, research operations and member's parliamentary operations. As an MP he has one full time staff member in his Wellington Parliamentary Office and two full time staff members, with a total of $90,000 salary, in his electorate office. He is also entitled to a $64,000 expense account for the running and advertising of his electoral office.

“Given the money Mr Anderton receives from New Zealand taxpayers to support him in his parliamentary role, it is difficult to see how he could continue to serve them at an acceptable level on a part time basis, let alone whether he would be in any way able to do justice to the mayoralty at the same time.

“I will say this again - Christchurch ratepayers, and New Zealand taxpayers, frankly deserve better,” Bob Parker said.

-Ends

Today Mayor Bob Parker attacked Jim Anderton’s decision not to resign from Parliament while he is pursuing the Christchurch mayoralty.

Bob Parker says, “Mr Anderton says he wants to save ratepayers the cost of a by-election, what he is not saying is that once you add up his parliamentary salary, benefits and associated costs it amounts to well over $500,000 per annum. This is around the same cost as a by-election so in fact if he were to resign it would be cost neutral to taxpayers and ratepayers.

“Mr Anderton should do the right thing and follow the lead of Mana MP Luamanuvao Winne Laban who is resigning as an MP to pursue an academic career. She has set a great example by doing the decent thing and not double dipping.

“As an MP and leader of the Progressive Party, Mr Anderton receives a leader’s salary of $144,500, as well as access to $14,800 in expenses without having to claim for them. As parliament’s longest serving member, he is the father of the house and therefore receives 90 per cent off all travel for himself and his wife, including international travel at business class rates. He is also entitled to exceptionally good superannuation.

“Further, as leader of the Progressive Party in parliament, of which he is of course the only member, he receives $187,000 funding to support the leader's office, research operations and member's parliamentary operations. As an MP he has one full time staff member in his Wellington Parliamentary Office and two full time staff members, with a total of $90,000 salary, in his electorate office. He is also entitled to a $64,000 expense account for the running and advertising of his electoral office.

“Given the money Mr Anderton receives from New Zealand taxpayers to support him in his parliamentary role, it is difficult to see how he could continue to serve them at an acceptable level on a part time basis, let alone whether he would be in any way able to do justice to the mayoralty at the same time.

“I will say this again - Christchurch ratepayers, and New Zealand taxpayers, frankly deserve better,” Bob Parker said.

-Ends

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