Cabinet hit up to pay fines for speeding

Helen Clark

The Prime Minister's speeding motorcade has hit her Cabinet in the pocket, with a request for $120 from each of them to foot the fines of the two policemen and one civilian convicted over the incident.

Constables Ian Howard and Simon Vincent, and a civilian driver who cannot be named, were convicted last week and fined $675 each for dangerous driving.

They were part of Helen Clark's motorcade, which reached up to 170km/h between the South Canterbury town of Waimate and Christchurch Airport last year in a bid to get the Prime Minister on a flight to a rugby test in Wellington.

A ministerial whip-round was organised yesterday, with a memo sent to Cabinet ministers suggesting $120 each should cover the bill. There are 18 Cabinet ministers.

Helen Clark said it was not her idea but it was a good one. She would join her ministers in making a contribution.

She told the Herald it was the appropriate thing to do because ministers had a good relationship with police and the drivers, who did a lot for her and her ministers.
Deputy leader Michael Cullen, who denied writing the memo, said there was a feeling among ministers that the officers and driver should not foot the bill for what happened.

He said $120 was the suggested amount but each minister would determine what he or she put in.

The logistics of the whip-round were to be sorted at a Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Transport Minister Pete Hodgson, campaigning in Northland, said he had phoned his office and a memo had been sent to ministers, suggesting a $120 donation each.

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia said he had received a text message about it and would contribute fairly, like everyone else.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said the money would be gratefully accepted.

"They are country coppers doing their job; they're not interested in the politics around this. They will take the money in the spirit it is given," he said.

Police have been raising funds themselves to help the officers, and Mr O'Connor said any surplus would go to giving the men and their families a holiday.

The whip-round has been slammed by National deputy leader Gerry Brownlee.

He said he was pleased the police officers would not have to fork out themselves, but criticised the Prime Minister for not taking responsibility during the trial but accepting fault by paying the bill.

He said Dr Cullen had repeatedly said the officers worked for ministers and should not have to pay for doing their job - which indicated they had been directed to speed.

"It's almost too cynical to believe but I'm afraid so very typical of the way Helen Clark operates her Government, whereby you can fix anything with a chequebook," said Mr Brownlee.

A spokesman for the Office of the Police Commissioner had no comment on the whip-round, saying it was a matter for the politicians.

* Do you want to contribute? Send donations to the Timaru Police Station, 20 North St.