Walker fronts on spending

Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker has one of the highest travel expenses bills at a shade over $39,000 for the three months from April to June, but he says it’s because he’s covering the largest general electorate in the country.

The full list of non-ministerial MP expenses was released yesterday, showing MPs spent $2.1 million on travel and accommodation during three months.

Top spender on the list was National Party leader Simon Bridges, whose expense details totalling $113,973 were leaked.

An investigation has been launched to determine who leaked his expenses.

Walker’s spending totalled $39,387 – the second highest spender on the list.

He spent $9295 on accommodation in Wellington, $5421 on non-Wellington accommodation, $9101 on air travel and $15,570 on surface travel from April to June 2018.

Walker said each month he spends about eight to 10 nights at home. ‘‘During the last two week recess I travelled more than 4500km, visiting 25 different communities in the electorate. It’s important to me I get face to face time with people right across the electorate to hear their concerns, whether they’re in Gore, Queenstown, Lumsden or Winton.’’

NZ First list MP Mark Patterson, who is based in Lawrence in south Otago, spent slightly less, with a bill of $37,778.

Patterson said the total included a one-off back payment for his Wellington accommodation, which totalled $13,291.

Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie spent $22,068 – made up of $5826 for Wellington accommodation and $1057 for accommodation elsewhere, $7184 for air travel and $8001 for surface travel.

Invercargill-based Labour List MP Dr Liz Craig’s total was $17,372.