By KEVIN TAYLOR
Jonathan Hunt's last-hurrah Speaker's tour will be a vodka rather than a champagne affair.
The trip will take him and four other MPs to Russia, Estonia, Latvia and France over 15 days starting tomorrow.
Mr Hunt was at pains to tell the Weekend Herald of the spinoffs of such trips, after controversy over a tour in 2001 to South America.
Parliament's longest-serving MP is tipped to become New Zealand's High Commissioner in London next year, so this is his last Speaker's trip.
He says hiring a press secretary in 2001 was a direct result of controversy over the South American trip, which blew up after scant details of the itinerary were released.
Now, Mr Hunt releases the full itinerary and spells out the benefits.
The main aim of such trips, which have been an annual fixture for about 35 years, is to promote and highlight New Zealand.
This year's tour by an 11-strong delegation will cost taxpayers only the airfares. Partners of MPs pay for themselves and the rest of the cost is met by the host countries.
Each year two major-party MPs and two from the minor parties go. With Mr Hunt are Paul Hutchison (National), David Parker (Labour), Sue Bradford (Greens) and Murray Smith (United Future).
Party politics are off-limits.
It will be the first Speaker's delegation to Russia since 1987 and Mr Hunt says they may meet the newly re-elected President, Vladimir Putin.
The Speaker in some countries is a very senior Government appointment, says Mr Hunt. That means parliamentary Speakers are always treated as VIPs.
"I get access to very senior people. I'm hoping to meet senior Cabinet ministers in Russia."
He says New Zealand's ambassadors in such countries do not usually get such access.
And does he like vodka? "No ... I do like champagne, though."
Final tour of duty for well-travelled Speaker
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