Axe bounces off ministers

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Ministers and their offices appear to have escaped the edict sweeping through the rest of the public service to trim spending.

Prime Minister John Key confirmed yesterday that the $56million Ministerial Services budget had emerged unscathed from the Government's review of spending, which has forced some departments to make job cuts and others to drop programmes.

Mr Key said Ministerial Services was too small to make "enormous cuts" and the options presented by officials for saving money would have made little overall difference.

"It would include selling probably one or two of the last houses that were there, some other minor changes. None of which delivered great results."

Ministerial Services received $56.6m in the last Budget; that covers the cost of staffing and servicing ministers' offices, managing the pool of houses allocated to ministers, their chauffeured travel, self-drive cars, overseas trips and salaries.

The costs of chauffeuring the leader of the Opposition, former governors-general and former prime ministers and their spouses, judges and distinguished visitors are also included.

The rest of the budget is made up of $400,000 in annuities to former governors-general and prime ministers and their widows, and $3.4m for state visits, reception services at international airports for the governor-general, ministers and guests of government, state and ministerial functions, commemorative events and national anniversaries.

Mr Key said MPs were aware of the need for budget restraint and were careful not to waste taxpayer money.

His Government was also being careful about costs such as overseas travel.

"Obviously there are a certain number of requirements; the foreign minister, trade minister and myself ... have quite a series of overseas engagements that we are expected to attend, but Idon't think we are abusing that situation in any way, shape or form."

- © Fairfax NZ News