The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is being accused of
squandering money on refurbishments during the recession when
the Government was crying poor and urging people to tighten
their belts.
Labour's state services spokesman, Grant Robertson, says the
ministry spent $10 million on contractors over the past year,
including $98,000 to upgrade a swimming pool at its high
commission in Tonga.
Mr Robertson's documents, obtained under the Official
Information Act, also show it cost $1.8 million to refurbish
the embassy in Brussels, $459,000 on chillers at the embassy
in Saudi Arabia, $44,000 to tile the diplomatic residence in
Vanuatu and $74,000 to upgrade toilets on two levels of its
Wellington head office.
"The question Foreign Minister Murray McCully has to answer
is whether or not this was priority spending during a
recession," Mr Robertson said on TV3 News.
"Other departments, education, health and housing, had cuts
in their spending."
Mr McCully referred questions to the ministry.
Secretary John Allen said that with a large property
portfolio and representation over many countries it was
important to maintain an active repairs and maintenance
programme.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.