Concerns remain over MPs' perks

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle WGG 23Apr13 - Mark Dawson WGP 26Jun14 -

WHANGANUI MP Chester Borrows put up a typically stout defence of his taxpayer-funded trip to Europe in his Chronicle column yesterday.

The Speaker's Delegation tour of four countries, currently under way at a cost of $138,000, drew some flak from the Taxpayers' Union and others.

Five MPs - including Mr Borrows and Te Tai Hauauru's Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe, and led by Speaker David Carter - are on the trip, along with four spouses.

Critics were relieved when initial impressions that spouses were being funded from the public purse proved groundless.

There are still those who question the value of the round of networking, handshaking, ceremonies and World War I anniversaries with parliamentarians from lands so far away. But Mr Borrows made a strong case that this was no junket but worthwhile relationship-building.

Sensitive to criticism, Prime Minister John Key recently led the rejection of the 5.4 per cent pay rise for MPs served up by the Remuneration Authority. That was a smart move - certainly Finance Minister Bill English will be glad he is not having to tell public servants to tighten their belts and be grateful for a 1+ per cent increase after pocketing an extra $16,900 per annum himself.

However, the move to cut the pay rise back to cost-of-living levels showed up the earlier claims by our elected members that they were powerless to affect their pay rates - that the Remuneration Authority dictated to them - as false.

And valid concerns over MPs' perks remain.

How many workers are still getting free flights, taxis, train and ferry tickets two weeks after they have left the job?

And how many long-serving staff get free international and domestic travel for them and their spouses even when they have joined the unemployment queue?

That is certainly a handsome consolation if the voters give you the thumbs down. Equally consoling for MPs voted out of office is the offer of four taxpayer-funded therapy sessions to help them deal with defeat.

So while - as Chester says - most politicians do not get into the game for the money, there are still a few areas where the taxpayer is entitled to cry: "Foul!"