Mayor Bob Parker adds up true cost of Jim Anderton’s decision to seek part-time mayoralty

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 04:59

Responding to Jim Anderton’s comments that councilors should not get paid extra for being directors of council organisations, Mayor Bob Parker says that this is a decision for all councilors to make and should not be imposed on them.

Mayor Bob Parker also called for greater transparency around Jim Anderton’s decision to remain as MP for Wigram while contesting the Christchurch mayoralty.

Mr Anderton says if elected Mayor he will remain as MP for Wigram and will donate his higher mayoral salary to local community services, therefore avoiding what he has termed as the ‘expense’ of a by-election.

Bob Parker says,“Once you take into account all of the benefits Mr Anderton receives as an MP and leader of the Progressive Party, I understand it adds up to over $500,000, it’s no wonder he says he will donate the mayoral salary.

“As an MP and leader of the Progressive Party, Mr Anderton receives a leader’s salary of $144,500, as well as access to $14,800 in expenses without having to claim for them. As parliament’s longest serving member, he is the father of the house and therefore receives 90 per cent off all travel for himself and his wife, including international travel at business class rates. He is also entitled to exceptionally good superannuation.

“Further, as leader of the Progressive Party in parliament, of which he is of course the only member, he receives $187,000 funding to support the leader's office, research operations and member's parliamentary operations.

“As an MP he has one full time staff member in his Wellington Parliamentary Office and two full time staff members, with a total of $90,000 salary, in his electorate office. He is also entitled to a $64,000 expense account for the running and advertising of his electoral office.

“This amounts to well over $500,000 per annum in salary, benefits and associated costs. Ironically, he has estimated the cost of a by-election as $600,000 to the taxpayer. He seems to have split vision on the value of democracy.

“I also understand he has just re-registered the Progressive Party but is not running any candidates at the next general election. Given he is the only elected member of that party and its leader, I fail to understand why he would do this – especially as he says he will not stand in the 2011 election.

“Given the money Mr Anderton receives from New Zealand taxpayers to support him in his parliamentary role, it is difficult to see how he could continue to serve them at an acceptable level on a part time basis, let alone whether he would be in any way able to do justice to the mayoralty at the same time.

“This city deserves a full-time mayor. Mr Anderton’s belief that he can do an adequate job in three positions, simultaneously serving his Wigram electorate, lead a political party and the City of Christchurch severely underestimates the role of the mayoralty and I believe is disrespectful to the people in the Wigram electorate.

“Christchurch ratepayers have the right to expect better, as do New Zealand taxpayers, who already contribute more than half a million dollars per annum to Mr Anderton to fulfil his various current public roles.

“Christchurch ratepayers, and New Zealand taxpayers, frankly deserve better,” Bob Parker said.

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For further information:
Bob Parker – 027 443 4575
or
Erin Jamieson – 021 743 237