The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through a
Official
Information Act request that the total cost through the
Members of Parliament (Former Prime Ministers Travel
Services) Determination 2017, that former Prime Ministers
car entitlements of $296,009.87 in purchases and $14,061.99
in fuel and maintenance.
The Department of Internal
Affairs buys and replaces these cars for ex PMs and/or
spouses, with the exception of Chris Hipkins, who wasn’t
in the job more than two years, and John Key, who declined
the entitlement.
Taxpayers’ Union Investigations
Coordinator Rhys Hurley said:
“Taxpayers are forking
out close to $60,000 a pop for new cars so ex-Prime
Ministers can cruise around in style — on top of the air
travel, rail, taxis and chauffeur services they already
enjoy on the taxpayer dime.”
“At a time when
everyday Kiwis are struggling just to keep their own cars on
the road — let alone afford a new one — why are we still
buying luxury vehicles for politicians who don’t even have
the job anymore?”
“These are people who clocked out
years, sometimes decades ago. In what other line of work do
you keep getting perks long after you’ve left the
building?”
“The Prime Minister needs to make a call:
end the perk, or explain to taxpayers why his predecessors
still deserve a free
ride.”
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