Bunkle never claimed pay says liquor body

By FRANCESCA MOLD political reporter

Former Alliance MP Phillida Bunkle says she never intended to collect taxpayer money for working on a Government alcohol advisory body while living overseas.

Concerns were raised yesterday about her holding a Government-appointed position on the Alcohol Advisory Council (Alac) while she was living in Britain and unable to attend meetings in person.

Alac revealed yesterday that although Ms Bunkle was entitled to a $9500-a-year honorarium for her work as a council member, she had not claimed any payment.

In an email to the Herald, Ms Bunkle said she had "neither sought nor received" remuneration from the council.

She said she never intended to claim any payment for her work, which she took on because of her interest in public health issues.

But an Alac spokeswoman said Ms Bunkle had never indicated that her role on the council would be voluntary.

It was expected that she would be paid the same as all other council members.

Ms Bunkle said yesterday that she decided to resign from the council last month, after discussing her future with her family and deciding to remain overseas.

But Alac said chairman Professor Andrew Hornblow only learned of her decision to quit when he telephoned her on Saturday to discuss questions from the Herald about her position on the council.

Alac and Health Minister Annette King only received Ms Bunkle's resignation letter on Monday, although it was dated March 31. She was appointed to the council in February.

She was recommended by Ms King for the position on the understanding that she would be returning to New Zealand in the near future.

Ms Bunkle said her personal circumstances had changed since her appointment.

"After a period of uncertainty, in March I had the opportunity to consult with my family members face to face, and arrived at a definite decision that I would remain overseas for the foreseeable future."

Since February, Ms Bunkle has participated in two board meetings by telephone.

She is thought to be living in Britain, where her resignation letter was sent from. But she would not reveal her whereabouts yesterday, saying the details of her life were private.

Act MP Rodney Hide, who has questioned the ethics of her taking a role on a Government body while she was overseas, said the former MP had resigned only because of Herald inquiries.

"People will no doubt make their own mind up as to what Phillida Bunkle would have done if she'd never been caught out," he said. "I feel vindicated that we've saved the taxpayer some money as it's my view that her resignation was only prompted by questions about her position."

Mr Hide has put questions to Ms King about whether Ms Bunkle had refused to supply Alac with an address and if she had informed the council from the start that she was overseas.