Editorial: MPs behaving badly

OPINION: Perhaps Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira was articulating the views of his constituents when he lashed out at Pakeha New Zealand by email late last week.

He is not the only one in his party with a separatist agenda, and in one sense Mr Harawira earns points for speaking his mind rather than indulging in the diplomatic double-talk beloved of some more moderate parliamentary colleagues.

However, taxpayers have viewed with growing disquiet the antics of a variety of MPs who are paid good money to provide appropriate leadership.

As over-the-top and offensive as Mr Harawira's comments were, the greater offence was his decision to skive off from his mission to Brussels for a spot of sight-seeing. If a day's official business was so unimportant that the delegation leader could throw a sickie, mislead his party and travel to Paris, why were three MPs there in the first place?

The saga re-heats the wider issue of taxpayer-funded parliamentary junkets and, in a time where the Government is urging restraint, whether there is sufficient scrutiny over their value to New Zealand.

Being an MP should be a privilege carrying the highest level of accountability. In acting from a misguided sense of entitlement and using and abusing his position, Mr Harawira has let down himself, his party and his fellow New Zealanders, whatever their race. If he so despises "white" New Zealand, it is hypocritical of him to continue to enjoy its perks.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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