Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he will not take the $52,000 accommodation supplement after all, as it had become a “distraction”. The Prime Minister called into Newstalk ZB at 5pm to reverse his decision, just hours after defending it during a press conference in Queenstown. Luxon did not agree that it was hypocritical to take the accommodation supplement, that he did not need for housing costs, while seeking to cut spending elsewhere. Luxon said all non-Wellington based members of Parliament had the right to take an accommodation supplement and many did. The Prime Minister said he will repay the first instalment, of roughly $13,000, which was paid into a bank account only this week and not collect the subsidy going forward.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 01, 2024 17:17 UTC