Greens Turei labelled arrogant

The Greens clearly thought they had, at least in their own minds, stolen the moral highground on MPs expenses in NZ.

Though John Key to a large extent took the wind out of their sails.

From the words attributed to Metiria Turei, it is clear that Green transparency is opaque and the disclosure will not be a comprehensive as in other jurisdictions.

Ms Turei is quoted:-

Ms Turei said the public were having to tighten their belts and it was “only right that MPs make known to the public how the scarce taxpayer funds are being used”.

“We think that the public is entitled to know,” she told Radio New Zealand.

The Greens hope to release by Friday details of their MPs’ flights, hotels, taxis, rental cars and Wellington accommodation between January 1 and April 30 this year. It would include partner travel but not details of individual flights.

“In our view, it’s the total cost that the public want to know about – how much it costs for MPs to do their work, and we think that that’s reasonable that they have that information,” Ms Turei said.

“So we invite all the other political parties to follow suit and to release this information to the public.”

It would release the information annually from this year, she said.

So annually and totals only. Hmm! Some might say that that is a Clayton’s release.

Indeed they might, as we see here:-

Letters to the Editor - Sunday Star Times - June 14

In fact the writer of this letter labelle Ms Turei arrogant. Oh dear, and who could think Greens are arrogant?

So much for the moral highground!

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