Smith bills public for waitress

Nick Smith

Relevant offers

Politics

Protest at Rotorua SOE sale talk Give us a share of SOEs, say Maori ACT banks on charter schools Outrage over Government's bill tactics igovt bill passes first hurdle Bill backs Anzac, Waitangi holidays Today in politics: Wednesday, February 8 Canterbury quakes, Pike River reports delayed Whanau Ora 'a waste of money' Assets protester jumps gun on Peters

ACC Minister Nick Smith – annual salary $240,000 – got taxpayers to foot a $600 bill to have a waitress attend a dinner party in Wellington.

The dinner for members of ACC's board was held at Smith's ministerial home. The bill from Rough Edges Catering, issued to Smith and his wife, detailed "private catering" – a three-course dinner served up by a waitress who worked a four-hour shift.

The $607.50 bill – which covered nine people – was split between ACC and Smith's ministerial office.

Smith defended the expenditure, saying that while he was capable of cooking, his time was better used conversing with ACC's board.

He personally paid for the wine consumed during the dinner party.

Details of the dinner were contained in a bundle of credit card statements from ACC's chief executive, Dr Jan White.

In the 24-month period ending in June, White racked up $33,646 on the corporation's plastic, with thousands going on dinners at top Wellington and Auckland restaurants including Logan Brown, Capitol, Vivo Wine Bar, The Yacht Club and One Tree Grill.

Revelations of big spending within the corporation's top-floor office come at a time Smith himself has said spending at the agency is out of control.

When told about some of White's biggest restaurant bills, he reiterated that he expected restraint to be exercised.

ACC issued a statement defending the dinners, saying the corporation has a policy of recognising good workers.

Spokesman Laurie Edwards said ACC was "extremely conscious of delivering value for money" and "that is why in the last year we have managed to cut $35 million from our administration budget".

In December last year, White spent $13,553 on four dinners, in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin. Her reconciliation form said the meals were to acknowledge "achievers" within ACC.

Dinners for staff leaving included a farewell for Gerard McGrevy at Vivo Wine Bar (costing $756), for Graeme Osbourne at Zibibbo Restaurant ($790) and for Ian Simpson in March at Logan Brown ($1095).

ACC did not disclose the quantity of alcohol consumed at each meal and the corporation did not respond when asked for them.

Not all of White's dining experiences came at a high cost to taxpayers – in March last year she spent just $12.50 at Central Otago's Tin Goose cafe.

- © Fairfax NZ News