PM asks for advice on entitlements for ex-MPs

about 1 hour ago

PM Christopher Luxon.

Photo: RNZ / Louis Dunham

The prime minister has asked for advice on former MPs entitlements following reports millions of dollars had been spent subsidising travel for retired politicians over the last decade.

In 2025, it cost around $1.5 million dollars while this year's Budget set aside $1.6 million for the scheme, according to The Press.

Media reporting in recent days also showed the government had been spending around $300,000 per year to provide Crown limousines to some former prime ministers and their spouses.

The highest amount claimed last year was by Dame Jenny Shipley at $3,877, followed by Helen Clark with $2,567, according to The Spinoff.

The scheme is available to MPs who entered Parliament before 1999 and allows for rebates on certain travel throughout their lifetimes.

It also follows pressure on MPs regarding their own entitlements, with Minister Louise Upston saying she was "comfortable" collecting $1000 a week to live in her own Wellington apartment, which she is entitled to do.

Christopher Luxon was asked about entitlements during his post Cabinet media conference on Monday.

He reiterated it was an issue for the independent remuneration authority, but he acknowledged the reports about "former members and some of those entitlements".

"I've asked my office to get more advice on that, because it's a very complex area that has actually built up over many decades.

"I've actually asked them to go out and actually seek some further advice in order to give us some more clarity and understanding of how we've got to where we've got to on some of these issues."

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has previously said he was open to [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/596367/prime-minister-showing-no-interest-in-changing-housing-allowance-for-mps

making changes to MPs entitlements], saying some of the perks were "very, very hard to justify".

He said last month Labour MPs had agreed to "have a good look" at options for a fairer, more transparent system.

Asked on Monday about the entitlements for retired politicians, Hipkins said he was open to looking at any advice the prime minister receives.

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