KEY POINTS:
Government departments staying in country lodges, angry Opposition claims of reckless extravagance, an election looming ... sound familiar?
In 1999 Labour attacked National over the Work and Income NZ department, which was headed by Christine Rankin, spending $235,206 on a training course for 107 staff at the Wairakei Resort.
Like the Housing NZ Corporation conference, the Winz training course was held just before Queen's Birthday weekend.
An Auditor-General's report found that their error was not in chartering flights but choosing Wairakei as a venue at a time when the Desert Rd could be closed.
The average cost of flying the staff to the conference was $1403, plus GST.
Former State Service Commissioner Michael Wintringham censured Ms Rankin and the bonus on her $250,000 annual salary was docked.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
