Carter: I'm the victim of 'malicious misinformation'

Chris Carter. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

Labour MP Chris Carter has defied a gag and come out swinging after facing criticism as his party's second-biggest spender.

In his blog, Mr Carter said the caucus "made a decision" that only Trevor Mallard, the party whips and leader would comment on expenses.

But that did not stop him from making comments in his blog.

"I'm loyal and - hard as it's been to resist persistent baiting from journalists to 'stop hiding' - I've been a loyal team player and remained silent," Mr Carter said.

In the blog, Mr Carter focused on his spending while he was a minister in the previous Government but made no mention of the $57,137 on airfares, $14,476 for surface travel and $10,667 on Wellington accommodation he has spent so far while in opposition.

At a press conference this afternoon, Mr Carter said he had been the victim of "malicious misinformation".

Mr Carter said Phil Goff had agreed that he should hold a press conference but only after his blog was posted on Saturday evening.

He said one or two of his caucus colleagues may be upset but that will be ironed out when he meets with them next week.

He confirmed that his partner of 35 years had travelled with him on some of the overseas trips.

Mr Carter said his partner stayed in his hotel room and is a "moderate eater".

He said as foreign affairs spokesman his partner may or may not continue to travel with him.

"I'm aware that using the privileges of Parliamentary office is going to be scrutinised more closely and if that means that I have to travel more often on my own then I will do that," Mr Carter said.

In his blog, Mr Carter said people could see some of the places he has visited by going to his website.

"There you can see the names of some of the more than 300 schools and ECEs [Early Childhood Education centres] I visited as Minister of Education, and some of the more than 200 events I attended as Minister of Ethnic Affairs. I once went to eight Ethnic festivals in Auckland on one Saturday!" Mr Carter wrote in his blog.

Mr Carter said this afternoon that he did not get around on a "magic carpet" and that all the travelling was on "Government business".

He released a Minister's expense spreadsheet that shows Mr Carter as having the third highest surface travel costs at $83,657 for ministers between January and June 2008.

Mr Carter said questions have been raised about why he had the second highest costs as a minister outside of Government this year.

"The reason my travel costs in the first six months were high is that I also went on an international trip, which was partly subsidised by my Parliamentary discount," Mr Carter said.

He said that trip included visiting the UK, US, China and Canada as the party's international affairs spokesman.

Mr Carter cut the press conference short by walking away from media.