] Statement on Bill English housing allowance - Rt Hon John Key
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28 September 2009
Statement on Bill English housing allowance

Prime Minister John Key today said he fully supports the personal decision reached by Finance Minister Bill English regarding his ministerial housing allowance.

"Mr English has been doing an outstanding job as Finance Minister during very difficult economic times, and he is firmly committed to steering New Zealand into a more prosperous period," Mr Key said.

"It is important that Mr English is focused on the critical decisions he needs to make for New Zealanders, and this issue had become an unfortunate distraction."

"While understanding Mr English’s decision to make this move today, I must reiterate that he has chosen not to accept a payment that has been made available to him," Mr Key said.


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#1 - Graeme Hall 2009-09-30 15:20 - (Reply)

Unfortunately Bill English brought this problem on himself and now you have no choice but to back him. He has clearly exhibited bad judgement and has shown the whole set of "rules" regarding housing claims for Ministers and MPs badly needs reform, especially when the economy is struggling. The risk is that Bill will now be perceived as a lame duck Finance Minister and will lack public support when attempting to correct the wasteful fiscal policies of the previous government. How can he advocate "tightening belts" in these tough economic times when he has been caught loosening his? He is now in the weak position of asking the Public Service to make its own cuts to public spending, rather than fronting up and making the necessary decisions himself.


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