KEY POINTS:
Green MP Nandor Tanczos says it is "outrageous" that National MPs are boycotting a select committee visit to Melbourne next week, saying it is "a major dereliction" of their duties.
The justice and electoral committee is in the middle of an inquiry into victims' rights and is about to begin considering the highly contentious election finance bill.
National list MP Chris Finlayson said the programme for Melbourne was too light and it was "a junket". He also objected to flying business class on such a short flight across the Tasman. The committee is staying in the Hilton.
Fellow National MPs on the committee Chris Auchinvole and Nicky Wagner are also boycotting the trip.
Mr Tanczos said he was "a bit uncomfortable" with the accommodation and flying business class was "a bit extravagant" but said the visit was related to important work before the committee.
Maori Party MP Hone Harawira believes the politics of the election finance legislation are connected with National's decision to pull out.
National had wanted the bill to be considered by the finance and expenditure committee, where Labour and the Greens have less influence. But it was now being considered by the justice and electoral committee and the MPs were unhappy with that, he said.
Mr Harawira said the trip had not been "a junket" for National until it had not got its way over the election finance legislation.
MPs on other select committees are likely to be angered at the National boycott, as the justice and electoral committee had stiff competition for the trip.
All 12 select committees put up proposals for the trip to Australia. The Speaker considered the justice and electoral committee's focus on victims of crime and restorative justice to be the most worthy.
MPs are entitled to fly business class under directions issued by the Speaker and approved by the Parliamentary Service Commission - but they can ask to be downgraded to economy class.
