So Bill has repaid the cash he got for pretending to being resident in Dipton when he was in fact living in Wellington.
But he only repaid to Ministerial Services the amount since the election. He hasn’t paid back for the previous nine years when he pretended to reside in Dipton when he was in fact living in Wellington.
And surely as an Opposition member the expectation that he live in his electorate was even stronger then.
He certainly doesn’t look happy in the House trying to preach fiscal restraint.
I agree it’s not good that he isn’t paying back all the money.
JohnKey bringing new standards to ministerial accountability?
Standards focusing on 3Rs: Refute, Resist and Retain …..
LOL
Trevor Labour have much bigger worries.
Bryce Edwards, a politics lecturer at the University of Otago, said that the episode appeared to show a misuse of Parliamentary resources: “I would say that any phone polling at Parliament would fall foul of the rules.”
“This is very clearly partisan political activity, and pretty hard to sell as a legitimate use of Parliamentary resources.”
Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff said the details of Barker’s polling operation raised serious questions and could breach the Privacy Act.
Hey folks, fess up. How many of your own feet remain undamaged?.
John and National are going to have a three year honeymoon because every time they are vulnerable on an issue, you guys and gals rush out and attract unwanted attention by discharging a firearm aimed at your own feet. I’m wondering if you’re so inept that you miss?.
The polling scam from your offices is another effective distraction, when there are plenty of issues you could target the government on, even trivial ones such as the Bill English advert on TV last night.
Talking about the Privacy commissioner
What happened to the complaint about Paula Bennet ?
That seems to have died a death
How much longer can we rely on a Finance Minister who clearly has lost the respect of the nation and, I’m lead to believe, his Cabinet colleagues?
Doug – I’m interested in Shroff’s statement say about this situation when this was all she would say about the Bennett situation “Ms Shroff did not say whether she believed a breach had occurred, but would consider any complaint made.”
It’s hardly justice when the Commissioner is declaring the case potentially a breach before all the facts have come to light.
Re Bill
He is focusing on tax dodging now. Others doing the dodging that is.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2998145/Spotlight-to-fall-on-tax-dodgers
He is putting his skills to work … for taxpayers’ benefit this time. His latest initiative might re-earn the confidence and support of his PM and caucus. But he still needs to put his own house in order before coming back into the House.
The English ads are such a PR scam – come on Labour – come out with your own. It makes me cross to see English spending my tax dollars on stupid ads designed to make him and his look good – waste of money. Here they are closing schools, arguing fiscal, and what is he doing- taking prime time. What a joke.
Hes a farce at best. Any idea how much they cost? Perhaps thats the money he had to pay back – punishment and pr. Sounds right.
Yeah, I’d like to see one from Labour!
Trolling. Be warned. Trevor
@ Doug.
While I agree following a troll off thread is not allowed on Red Alert Trevor
As with Anne Trevor
Sorry for that Trevor, but don’t you think Doug’s comments yestreday @ 8.51 should also be deleted?
Should have – missed but will leave now.
sorry here to