Editorial: High-flyers' affliction strikes Prime Minister

File photo / Wanganui Chronicle

Opinion

Early in his time as Prime Minister, John Key almost certainly would not have countenanced using an air force helicopter to get from Mechanics Bay, below his Parnell home in Auckland, to the V8 motor-racing in Hamilton and back in time for a golf club dinner.

But, as with the vast majority who have occupied the position, he - or more probably members of his staff - has fallen prey to a peril of incumbency. A sense of entitlement has developed.

As much is underlined by the fact that the use of air force aircraft by Mr Key and his ministers - and unspecified other VIPs - more than doubled last year. The more sparing use in 2009, National's first year in office, speaks for itself. Clearly, any such concern diminished last year.

There will be occasions when the use of the air force is justified. Taking the Prime Minister to a region stricken by a natural disaster is an obvious example. But carrying him between two events where his presence was essentially political rather than prime ministerial is not.

Could there be two less compelling events on a calendar of urgent public business? Moreover, the air force should not be called on as a quick fix for poor travel scheduling, even under the famously Sir Humphrey-esque excuse that its pilots need the time for training.

It is lame for the Government to claim Mr Key is doing nothing more than Helen Clark did in 2008 to get to a Grey Power meeting in Southland. This merely emphasises that he has succumbed to the same affliction.