Mallard defends 48 hours in Japan
Parliament’s Speaker Trevor Mallard says he would have preferred to watch the All Blacks game at home rather than travel to Japan on a trip that cost the taxpayer $24,000.
And he says he would not have gone on the trip had there been no trade benefits for New Zealand.
Mallard travelled to Japan with senior National MP Gerry Brownlee via business class and spent about 48 hours there between November 2 and 4. His visit included meetings with political and business leaders, promotion of academic links between the countries, and watching the All Blacks beat Japan alongside senior Japanese parliamentarians.
Act leader David Seymour and former National MP Tau Henare have called on them to repay the money, saying it was a waste of resources.
But Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and National Party leader Simon Bridges supported the trip, saying it promoted trade just before the CPTPP trade deal kicks in.
Mallard said he would have preferred to watch the game on TV at home. “If someone offered me a trip to Japan where I was on the ground for 48 hours over a weekend and it was free and had no trade benefits, I’d say, ‘Thank you but no. I’d rather watch it on TV’.”
Seymour said Mallard and Brownlee should repay the money.
“It’s a huge waste of taxpayers’ money, but it’s also an insult to say this was about diplomacy.”
Mallard shot back, referring to Seymour’s stint on Dancing With the Stars.
“There are dozens of NZ firms who thought they could get a major benefit from bringing their contacts in.
“I’m prepared to go with New Zealand companies’ judgment rather than the judgment of members of parliament who prefer Dancing With the Stars to attending [Parliament].”
Though former Speaker David Carter said he would not have gone on the trip, Mallard said Speakers had led trade missions before.
Brownlee not only rejected repaying the money, but even suggested that a minister should have accompanied them on the trip.
In a statement yesterday, the Speaker’s office said Mallard and Brownlee met around 200 business and political leaders as well as officials involved in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.