Ex-Barry staffer lays fresh complaint
A former staffer who accused MP Maggie Barry of bullying — including allegations she expected staff to do political work on taxpayer time — has complained to the Auditor-General about misuse of public money.
The Herald understands evidence provided includes examples of National Party work completed by state-funded staff while working for Barry. That would be unlawful.
The Auditor-General’s office confirmed yesterday it had received the information and would assess it.
Barry continues to deny both the bullying allegations and any concerns about a misuse of public funds. On Saturday, the revealed Parliamentary Service had investigated claims by two former staff in her office this year that she swore at and belittled staff.
Parliamentary Service was also told about alleged issues around political work. It is unclear if it investigated further.
Previously, Auditor-General Kevin Brady investigated claims that parties were using parliamentary funding for political advertising, finding parties unlawfully spent $1.17 million on what he deemed to be political advertising.
The staffer in this case gave what he believed were examples of similar digressions.
These included staff writing Barry’s column, Maggie’s Messenger, in which she encouraged people to vote for Northcote MP Dan Bidois, and completing a brochure for a National Party conference.
The staffer said that some weeks, up to half his work was party work. He told the Herald he knew it was against the rules.
Parliamentary rules stipulate party work is not part of support staff’s job.
Barry has conceded her parliamentary staff did National Party work, in their own time: “I never asked parliamentary staff to do party work.”
Simon Bridges yesterday said he knew about the Auditor-General investigation, and stood by Barry.