Money quandary over Carter

Chris Carter. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Senior Labour whip Darren Hughes has written to the Speaker of Parliament, Lockwood Smith, to say the party wants MP Chris Carter treated as an independent from next week.

But there is no certainty that will happen or what will happen to more than $85,000 in parliamentary funding, as the rules do not cover Mr Carter's situation.

The Te Atatu MP has been expelled from the Labour caucus for trying to get Phil Goff ousted as leader. He remains a member of the party, but disciplinary action against him is under way.

Party president Andrew Little indicated at the weekend that, according to Mr Carter's lawyers, the MP intends to fight expulsion.

While Mr Carter will be treated as an independent MP for all intents and purposes, the issue of his parliamentary funding may be at stake.

Under Parliament's funding formulas, Mr Goff's office attracts a total of $86,260 a year for Mr Carter having been elected a Labour MP.

Last week, Dr Smith said he would require a letter from Mr Carter or the party president to state the MP was no longer a member of the party before he could be deemed to be an independent.

With Mr Carter out of the caucus, Labour would not get the funding that goes with him. But if Dr Smith does not accept that a letter from a whip is enough to deem someone an independent, then Labour could be forced to keep Mr Carter's funding.

Mr Carter was seen walking in Ponsonby with a friend yesterday morning. Friends said he had an appointment with a specialist. His lawyers have informed Dr Smith that he intends to take two months' sick leave.