Public servants commuting to Wellington to work are costing the taxpayer almost $5.3 million a year in travel and accommodation costs, according to United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne.

Mr Dunne has released the results (see attached sheet) of a survey of all Government Departments he has carried out through Written Parliamentary Questions.

The survey shows that 82 public servants are commuting on a weekly basis to work in Wellington at annualised cost of $5,228,000.

"I am absolutely staggered at the result, and I am sure the public will be too," he says.

"I accept that there will be times when people have to commute to Wellington as part of their job, but I had no idea it was a way of life for so many public servants, and that the taxpayer was picking up the tab to such an extent."

"It is outrageous, and makes a complete mockery of the Government's claims to be introducing new standards of behaviour in the public sector."

"The culture of extravagance Labour was so critical of while in Opposition is continuing unabated now it is in Government, which makes the whole situation that much more unacceptable." Mr Dunne says.

Mr Dunne says that the $5.3 million is put into its proper perspective by the fact that it is equivalent to New Zealand superannuation for nearly 400 single superannuitants; or, the cost of over 4,300 more cataract operations; or, the cost of doubling its just announced $4 million scholarship programme to attract new teachers; or, could go a long way towards ensuring there were enough nurses in our hospitals.

"Any of these alternatives is a higher priority than paying public servants to commute to work in Wellington," he says.

Mr Dunne is calling on the Government to toughen up the rules for meeting the costs of public servants that choose to commute to Wellington, rather than live here.

ENDS