By Patrick Gower
Last night 3 News bought you a story of how Cabinet ministers have a million-dollar fleet of taxpayer-funded self-drive private cars which have been regular customers at the panel beaters.
But it isn't just National - documents obtained by 3 News show Labour ministers in the last Government were also hard on their cars.
Labour MP Shane Jones was a little surprised with the bill for repairs to his ministerial car when we presented it to him.
There was damage in 15 places when he returned his self-drive Honda Accord when Labour was kicked out of Government.
It cost $2,385 dollars to fix, and taxpayers picked up the bill.
He had damage to the right rear door fittings, rear bumper, left rear door fittings, bonnet, right rear door, lower boot lid, left rear door, left front mud flap, and scratches to the exterior.
There was even mould.
"I can't account for that," says Mr Jones, "unless it was going through one of these Northland floods. I don't know."
But then he remembered - the car used to belong to former minister Steve Maharey, and apparently it was his fault.
"This car belonged to Maharey," says Mr Jones. "Auntie Helen [Clark, former Prime Minister] wouldn't give me a flash four-wheel-drive for the Nga Puhi roads."
Other Labour Ministers handed back damaged cars too. Maryan Street's needed $1615 worth of repairs, and that was also a colleague's fault.
"I certainly didn't have any accidents in it myself," says Ms Street. "Dover Samuels did have it before me however."
Former associate Transport Minister Harry Duynhoven dropped back his Skoda with $1470 worth of damage. Mita Ririnui's dents cost the taxpayer $500. Mahara Okeroa, $1000. Former Minister of Conservation Steve Chadwick, $720.
"I had to hand it back," says Ms Chadwick, "I couldn't afford to buy it."
And don't forget coalition partner Winston Peters. He returned his Ford Territory - the taxpayer paid $795 dollars for repairs - then he bought it.
3 News