Carter cans Christmas holiday on the taxpayer

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Wed, 22 Dec 2010 6:10p.m.

Chris Carter decided to cancel his taxpayer-funded Christmas trip

Chris Carter decided to cancel his taxpayer-funded Christmas trip

By Patrick Gower

Independent MP Chris Carter has had to cancel his Christmas holiday after 3 News learned he had been planning to have it paid by the taxpayer.

Mr Carter and his partner managed to book an international holiday using the MPs' travel perk right before Parliament's Speaker, Lockwood Smith, banned MPs from taking private travel with public money.

Chris Carter's partner Peter Kaiser arrived at Parliament this morning to help tidy up a few loose ends but he didn't want to talk about a Christmas trip the pair had planned.

Mr Carter and Mr Kaiser were booked to leave Auckland on December 29, flying business class via Singapore to Colombo and Sri Lanka.

The estimated cost of their flights is $13,902 – 90 percent picked up by the taxpayer.

The pair were planning on holidaying with British MP Ben Bradshaw and his partner but an hour after 3 News confronted Mr Kaiser, Mr Carter sent a text saying the trip was cancelled and he wasn't going to front.

He is accusing the Speaker’s office of leaking the details of the trip – something Lockwood Smith denies.

Mr Carter says he knows of many other MPs who are taking off on the taxpayer this summer and challenged the Speaker to name names – which he wouldn't – but the details of the other MPs who are making one last use of the travel perk and will become public early next year.

Mr Carter's trip is cancelled but once he leaves Parliament next year, he and Mr Kaiser get a new perk - the 90 percent discount ex-MPs get to use on a substantial amount of national and international travel.

The perk is there for the rest of their lives and they will finally be free from the scrutiny of the media.

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Comments

23 Dec 2010 09:15a.m.

ubi wrote:

What I like about the photo that accompanies this story is that Chris Carter is smiling at the public...in fact he is laughing at us... he uses his sexuality as a shield to defend his actions, no integrity, I cannot believe how far off the rails he has gone and how we are letting him get away with it!

23 Dec 2010 07:47a.m.

Ruth wrote:

Honestly is Chris Carter half witted - did he really think that he could get away with using tax payers money to fund his $13,000 holiday? - why not just pay for for it himself if he wants to go.. surely he knows that it is no longer allowable under parliamentary travel rules. What is particularly insulting is that people in Te Atatu, yes the folk he represented, could probably live for six months on that kind of cash! These men are utterly shameless and it has nothing to do with being gay, it is just straight out GREED and playing the system. Shame on you. Please immediately demolish the travel rebate for MP's AFTER serving in Parliament I can't bear the thought of Carter raping that as well.

23 Dec 2010 12:29a.m.

cyril wrote:

I cant believe this guy. I bet hell be abusing his goverment perks forever.

22 Dec 2010 11:36p.m.

Kim wrote:

i know national supporters arn't very bright but surely you know that Goff has already kicked this idiot out of the labour party. Thats the worst he can do so why are you even involving his in this?

22 Dec 2010 11:17p.m.

Carol Edwards wrote:

It sickens me to hear that politians get these huge perks at the expense of the taxpayer (me included) when many of us can barely manage to feed ourselves. It has to STOP.....John Keye; change these obscene public money wasting schemes.....dont you think they get enough as it is.....some of us work a life time to make what you folks get in one year.... Its not fair.....especially when we are in a recession!

22 Dec 2010 09:44p.m.

Lightseed wrote:

wow, people your comments are funny. Chris Carter is no longer labour so Phil goff can not get rid of him.

22 Dec 2010 08:15p.m.

Michael wrote:

Why is that homophobe even allowed in the news room?

22 Dec 2010 07:45p.m.

Charles wrote:

"He is accusing the Speaker’s office of leaking the details of the trip – something Lockwood Smith denies"

So he is saying he only cancelled it 'when he got caught out'.
Otherwise he would have gone.
If this news did not get out he would have sneaked out then.
Why was he not upfront to start with ?
Carter is being arrogant and deceitful.
'Philin needs' to get rid of him. This does not look good for Labour [again] who continue to poll low.

22 Dec 2010 07:13p.m.

Louise wrote:

Labour just don't get it. Another reason why they will loose big time next year. Their arrogance is astounding. Carter again giving the big finger to the tax payer. Oh yes I forgot its 'gay bashing' ! yea right. Phil show some backbone and dump him and yourself while you are at it.

22 Dec 2010 07:08p.m.

Tom wrote:

Good grief ! Labour in the trough again. They don't learn. Well done Phil Goff for keeping your team in line. 1/ Carter does not get it 2/ Philin is a useless lieing leader. Who also is in the tax payers trough.
Great Xmas PR present for Labour. And some idiots support them.