I considered making this argument, but I decided I don't mind if it's the same money going to someone else, it should be an arms length transaction. Not to yourself, not to your husband or friend or friend's mum.

The idea of MP accommodation does sound good. How do you handle families? Backbencher salaries are not that great when you tell them they have to pay for two houses. I'm sure many MPs have partners and kids stay with them in Wellington at times.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Oh I agree 100%, it should just be something that's not allowed so there's no question of impropriety.

MP accommodation should be easy enough, a pool of housing some apartments, some townhouses and some 3-4 bed etc. Ideally built to social housing standards by Kainga Ora, because if its good enough for an average family it should be good enough for an MP.

Oh and potentially Kainga Ora should research the standard operating practises of private landlords and apply that to MPs as well ;)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

I’m not sure what the situation is now, but they used to keep a pool of houses in Wellington for MP’s and their families to live in but like everything many have been sold off over the years. It makes sense to have them available as these representatives need to be in Wellington, but renting them back from the owners like this sounds weird.