Carter says sorry after Goff's ultimatum

Chris Carter assured the New Zealand public he is contrite, even if he appears not to be. Photo / Mark Mitchell

MP Chris Carter's unreserved apology to the New Zealand public pulled him from the brink of a political precipice yesterday but Labour leader Phil Goff has publicly put him on notice.

In a dramatic turn of events, Mr Goff ordered the Te Atatu MP off work shortly before the House resumed at 2pm, angry over Mr Carter's failure to express contrition over high travel and credit card costs as a minister.

Mr Carter emerged from yesterday's caucus meeting and made a statement about his regret at losing foreign affairs, welcoming the duties of his new portfolio. He returned to the caucus room but left soon after with reporters following him.

A short time later, Mr Goff told reporters he had ordered him home to "think about his future" and said his decision to give Mr Carter the conservation portfolio in yesterday's reshuffle was in doubt. He gave Mr Carter an ultimatum to respond appropriately within 24 hours.

An hour later a written apology was issued by Mr Carter and delivered to the press gallery offices by Mr Goff's press secretary.

The statement said: "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.

"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."

Mr Goff said he accepted the apology but Mr Carter was "on notice".

"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.

"He is on leave, on my insistence, for however long it takes."

Mr Goff said earlier he had wanted Mr Carter to acknowledge the "public perception of using travel too often, spending too much and taking your partner too often."

The showdown followed the caucus at which three MPs - Mr Carter, Shane Jones and Mita Ririnui- faced colleagues over credit card spending. All three were demoted. While Mr Carter is on leave, the conservation portfolio will go to David Parker.

In an interview at the weekend, Mr Carter suggested he may quit politics.

"I just have to make a decision: do I want to keep putting up with this? Do you want to live your life with this stuff going on all the time? You know, I love being an MP. But there might well be a point soon where I think this is just not worth it."

Mr Carter's refusal to take questions from media was in stark contrast to Mr Jones, who has fronted media consistently since revelations last week that he watched pornographic movies in hotels and charged the taxpayer, later repaying it.

Mr Jones looked close to tears as he entered the caucus room.

UP UP UP UP

* Grant Robertson, first-term Wellington Central MP, gains tertiary education, keeps state services, and moves from unranked to 20 out of 43.

* Charles Chauvel, list MP, gains environment, keeps climate change, loses energy, moves from 15 to 12, a move to the front bench.

* Nanaia Mahuta, Hauraki-Waikato MP, gains energy and associate law and order, keeps Maori social development, moves from 13 to 11, resuming her front bench spot after maternity leave.

* Maryan Street, list MP, gains foreign affairs, keeps trade, loses tertiary education and moves from 8 to 7.

* Darren Hughes, chief whip, adds infrastructure to transport.

DOWN DOWN DOWN

* Shane Jones, list MP, loses both environment and economic development and drops from 11 to 21.

* Chris Carter, Te Atatu MP, loses foreign affairs, keeps ethnic affairs, picks up conservation and drops from 7 to 13.

* Mita Ririnui, list MP, loses forestry and keeps associate treaty negotiations and drops from 25 to 26.