One was approached by a member of the public at the apartment gymnasium this morning. It was rather annoying.
One was listening to a podcast on wealth creation, a subject one thinks more people, especially those at the bottom of the ladder, should take an interest in. The poor will always be with us but it wouldn’t kill them to try harder.
‘‘Yes,’’ I said , taking off my earphones, ‘‘may I help you?’’
She got on the treadmill next to mine, and said, ‘‘Any surprises in the Budget this week?’’
‘‘The Budget?’’
‘‘I just thought I’d be cheeky and ask for a preview.’’
She laughed, and turned on the incline to a speed of 6.
One wasn’t born yesterday. One realised that she was having a dig at the fact one claims $1000 a week to live in one’s Wellington apartment.
‘‘I’m comfortable with the rules,’’ I told her.
‘‘I have followed the rules, and I have followed the rules in my pecuniary interest register, and I’m not going to say anything else on the matter, because I’ve answered multiple questions on multiple days, and I’m comfortable that I’m approaching it no differently than other MPs and other ministers in this Parliament and in previous parliaments.’’
That shut her up.
Tuesday
I recounted the story of how I put the nosey parker in her place when I ran into the Prime Minister in the tearoom this morning.
‘‘None of her business,’’ he said, opening up a packet of Cameo Cremes.
‘‘I think most New Zealanders understand that if you work away from home, your employer pays your accommodation costs,’’ I said.
‘‘Most do, that’s right,’’ he said, shaking out the biscuits on to a plate.
‘‘MPs and ministers aren’t any different.’’
‘‘We’re no different.’’
He shook out the last biscuit on to his plate, and took it back to his office. It was quite a big plate and he needed both his hands.
‘‘Can someone fetch me a cup of tea,’’ he called out. ‘‘I’ve only got two hands.’’
Wednesday
As Minister of Social Development, one said in Parliament today, ‘‘Last week, our government announced a review of social housing which will deliver a fairer, more effective, and more efficient social housing system. We are fixing the basics so we can deliver better housing support to those who need it the most.’’
There was tremendous applause from one’s party but an unkempt man from the Greens — is there any other kind? — rose and asked, ‘‘Was it a tough choice to cut accommodation support for thousands of low-income households by $42 a week on average while ministers are still able to claim $1000 a week in ministerial entitlements for a property they already own mortgage-free?’’
One has always found Ricardo Menendez March so annoying.
Later in the afternoon, Labour’s equally annoying Willow-Jean Prime asked, ‘‘How many more struggling families will have to choose between rent, power, or food as a result of her cuts to income support?’’
I told her, ‘‘We are making a change in the way that social housing is delivered.’’
That’s the way the real world works. National is all about real world politics.
Thursday
One ran into Nicola Willis this morning. I asked her if she had much on today.
She laughed, and said, ‘‘Well, yes, Louise, I do. The Budget.’’
‘‘What budget?’’
She laughed, and said, ‘‘You’re funny.’’
Friday
Home to Karāpiro for the long weekend. There are some good King’s Birthday sales, But it’s best to choose carefully. One is in tune with other ordinary Kiwis in feeling the pinch.
A Cabinet minister’s salary of $320,600 only goes so far.
- Steve Braunias
