In the interest of transparency thought it best to let the world know I’m going to Europe later in the week.
Not to do altitude training before the Taupo bike race but to London.
When last in opposition I did it a couple of times. Met with education leaders, people involved in think tanks, politics, mainly Labour but others from the other parties, including tea with the then physically fading Maggie whose mind was then still as sharp as a tack.
Played rugby for the Commons and Lords team and even improvised the haka using the main trunk line place names when the 250 people in the room meant I lost the words. And that was on a side trip to Paris.
I made lots of contacts, indeed friends, with whom I could communicate outside the normal Ministry channels, test ideas and priorities without being caught up in short term local agendas.
It also gave me a bit of time to think and write – something that I am doing more of these days.
I used the discount for longer serving parliamentarians and stayed at a late friends house because, unlike Ministers, except in very limited circumstances involving official tours or meetings there is no other budget for this.
I will meet with some of these people again, and with a new generation of education thinkers. I’m lucky because there happen to be some Aussies over there at the same time sharing ideas on developing strategic leadership in education. We made massive progress at talent identification and support during the last government and we do good research here but I’m interested in options for the next step.
Of course it works two ways. There are people really interested in the progress we made in early childhood education and reintegrating physical activity in schools.
And just to make what is obvious to those who know me well completely transparent – there are international rugby matches that I will watch. I will be a guest of the Rugby Union at Twickenham, might meet up with the IRB RWC people and hope to see one of my kids play.
I will be travelling alone. And staying with a former flatmate. And using the discount again.
Off topic Nathan – but you might like to email our Defence spokespeople. Trevor
With the amount of trouble you get in mr mallard you would be requiring a minder and as i happen to be available that particular time frame ,i’m sure we could come to a suitable arrangement.
I can’t believe I read this reported back in mainstream media.
I can believe that once they decided to report it, the outlet focused in the Rugby matches, but seriously, it is a work trip where you are keeping costs low.
Easy headline I suppose, no real story.
With respect Trevor, I’d like you to consider reviewing the removal of my last post? I feel it IS relevant, in that it shows the lengths that other taxpayer-funded departments are going to tighten their fiscal belts. No dramas if you do feel it’s wholly off-topic, but please reconsider?
Have done – thought carefully. This post was pretty narrow and a bit of a risk – not one about general fiscal constraint.