KEY POINTS:
The Minister outside Cabinet, without portfolio, is campaigning in full taxpayer-funded splendour of a BMW 7-series limousine.
Although his workload has lightened since losing his ministerial portfolios, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters still has his $195,700-a-year salary, the chauffeur-driven car, the ministerial home in Wellington and other entitlements.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said on Newstalk ZB this week that Mr Peters might be getting the benefit of a flight to Wellington, but little else. But she has taken over all his ministerial workload, and he is criss-crossing the country on full benefits.
Mr Peters was campaigning in Hamilton on Tuesday where he espoused the virtues of the senior citizens' Super Gold Card.
After leaving the Trevellyn Rest Home and Hospital in his chauffeur-driven, BMW 7 series, complete with television, he headed for younger throngs at the University of Waikato where he warned that Labour had underestimated the cost of its universal student allowance.
The NZ First leader, who famously declared during the last election that he would spurn the "baubles of office", stood down as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Racing and Associate Senior Citizens in late August as the Serious Fraud Office investigated donations to the secret Spencer Trust.
Last week the SFO cleared the party of fraud but referred several issues to the police, the Electoral Commission and the Auditor. Because of those referrals, Prime Minister Helen Clark has refused to reinstate Mr Peters.
But despite being without any ministerial responsibilities there has been no change to Mr Peters' salary and he will continue to enjoy the baubles of office until the election.
Act Party leader Rodney Hide, whom Mr Peters refers to as "the man in the yellow jacket", said the news was "classic Winston".
"He went into the last election promising he wasn't after the baubles of office. He heads into this election with nothing but the baubles and no work to do," said Mr Hide.
Internal Affairs spokesman Tony Wallace said Mr Peters was still a member of the Executive Council and still held his ministerial warrants.
"Accordingly, he continues to receive the salary payable to a Minister of the Crown holding one or more portfolios but who is not a member of Cabinet, " he said.
Mr Wallace said all ministers were eligible for a ministerial home - usually an apartment - in Wellington but could not confirm whether Mr Peters chose to live in one.
Mr Peters also keeps his basic expense allowance of $14,280 a year.
Helen Clark said NZ First made a mistake when it apparently broke electoral law, but said there was no reason to strip Mr Peters of his benefits.
