‘Inducement’ for ousted M.P.

Press, 16 October 1981, Page 2

‘Inducement’ for ousted M.P.

PA Wellington If the- ousted National Member of Parliament for Whangarei, Mr J. G. Elliott, stood as an Independent at the General Election he could gain about $3OOO in Parliamentary salary, said the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) yesterday. He would receive the salary even if he was defeated, Mr Muldoon said.

Mr Muldoon, denied that Mr. Elliott would stand as an Independent. However, there was a financial inducement for a member of Parliament defeated in a selection ballot to stand,, somewhere.

“If he is defeated, at the polls he gets the continuing salary for some time,” Mr Muldoon said. .

. The "Government thought the situation was wrong and had made representations to the Higher Salaries Commission “but these have not been accepted.” . . ?.$•

' Mr Muldoon said Mr Elliott had made a statement to the Government Caucus yesterday morning, saying that he would not stand as an Independent and that he fully supported Mr John Banks. Mr Banks defeated Mr Elliott at a party selection meeting. Mr Muldoon said that rumours had originated from a questionnaire Mr Elliott had circulated in Whangarei. In the course of writing a book, he put out the questionnaire, which asked people if they would support him if he stood as an Independent. A reporter told Mr Muldoon yesterday that Mr Elliott had said two weeks ago that he was seriously considering standing<as an Independent, and. that he was concerned about'the reaction of the Whangarei electorate to Mr Banks?' ’ "

Mr Muldoon replied: “Did he? Well, this is what he said to the caucus.” < .