Labour MP Chris Carter has been sent home and told to think about his future over his handling of questions about his expense claims.A clearly angry party leader Phil Goff made it clear just now that Mr Carter's refusal to acknowledge he had let the public down and spent too much on travel had jeopardised his ranking in the caucus.
While he would not be expelled he may be stripped of his remaining portfolio after an outburst as he dodged media questions today.
Oh dear. Has Chris got a bit precious then? Perhaps he needs to go and have a chat with Shane Jones about humility. I wonder if he's keeping someone in New York appraised of developments.
And here's something we never expected to be saying here; full marks to Phil Goff for giving Carter a yellow card. It's just a shame that it didn't happen a long time ago.
UPDATE: From Chris Carter:
"It is quite clear to me that a public apology is both demanded and required in regard to my expenses when travelling overseas on government business on the taxpayer expense," said Mr Carter.
"I unreservedly apologise to the New Zealand public.
"This has been a very difficult time for me and it has been difficult to choose the right words to be said when under intense pressure from journalists."
"I acknowledge that my temperament when under pressure can make me appear as if I am not contrite or embarrassed. I assure the New Zealand public, I am.
"I pledge hard work and commitment to my electorate and to the New Zealand Labour Party, and I wish to put this matter behind me."
Hmmmmm ...
UPDATE #2: Phil Goff responds:
Labour leader Phil Goff has put conservation spokesman Chris Carter on indefinite leave despite an unreserved apology from the Te Atatu MP.
"This is the minimum step that I demanded. He now has to prove himself to me. For the time being he is on leave but when he comes back I expect him to behave in an appropriate way," Mr Goff said.
He would stay on in the conservation role in the meantime "but he is on notice".
"I have told him he is on leave at my insistence for however long it takes. I expect when he comes back he will have thought thought the consequences of his actions and I expect to see a different behaviour."
It seems to us that there is a power struggle going on in the Labour Party, and for once, it's not all about Chris Carter. So who's pulling the strings?
10 comments:
You are the only person who needs to exhibit humility my brother in Christ. The lord is good and he will see beyond your ego driven sins, but only if you are truly sorry. Until then you have booked a ticket to an eternity without seeing the face of god our saviour above amen.
IV2, welcome brother. Your probationery status might change to full memeber shortly now that you have gained a troll. However, more weight is given to lefty trolls than barking at the moon religious trolls.
Barnsley Bill. You should repent. Is that an angel with a bare bottom flirting here on a christian sanctuary? This blog is for god fearing people, not pseudo-fantasy-bestiality-fetishists. To the underworld with you. Do not pass go. Do not touch the angels bottom on the way. (You aren't Catholic are you?)
At least you're showing signs of a sense of humour Anon. This is actually a blog for all people; Christian and non-Christian. I don't differentiate. How can one build relationships with non-Christians when one doesn't associate with them, or excludes them? Remember what Jesus said?
"Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders." Matt 9 12-13 (The Message)
Jesus also said (in the book of Revelations): "INV2 you continue to sin against me by using the blogosphere to advance your ego. Now give it away my child and lie with the lambs for they are humble and they do not seek to revel in human misery, folly, or frailty. Only the humble shall rejoice in my company. There are no blessings in the politics of the earth. Only in the rapture of heaven" Wise words I think, and ones that are particularly relevant to this den of iniquity.
IV your are being naughty. Everyone knows who has been up half the night sending texts from NY.
Blue Coast
Of course I'm being naughty Blue Coast. Now that Anon has outed Keeping Stock as "filthy and satanic", I have a reputation to live up to lol
Would that be leave without pay? Ha ha ha ha ha ha, just joking.
Hang on, what part of being given the Conservation portfolio and being sent home on full pay constitutes punishment?
I think the the ref is reaching into his pocket for the second yellow!
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