Phil Goff
Leader of the Labour Party
Key's hand forced on travel perks
Labour Leader Phil Goff said today that he supports any move to improve public confidence and transparency around MPs'
international travel entitlements.
"The reality is though that John Key's hand has been forced on this issue. He's had no choice but to call for the
abolition of the travel perk because he can no longer defend the behaviour of his own Minister Pansy Wong, who has been
caught out abusing the privilege.
'Today's announcement by John Key is an admission that he has handled the whole Pansy Wong affair poorly. Last week, he
responded by personally abusing the Opposition for its legitimate questioning of Pansy Wong's actions. He has been
proven wrong.
"I've been saying for some time now that the international travel entitlement for MPs should be reviewed. The
appropriate body to do that is the Remuneration Authority. It can make an independent decision about all aspects of the
entitlement."
ends