Housing minister resigns

25 Feb 2010

Housing and Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley has resigned his portfolios as a result of further discrepancies over his ministerial credit card spending.

Heatley told a press conference in Wellington he had charged two bottles of wine as ‘food and beverages' when no food was involved. He has also asked the Auditor-General to investigate his expenses. He will stay on as the member for Whangarei.

Prime Minister John Key cut short a trip to Christchurch and will be holding a press conference this afternoon. This week, Heatley publicly apologised for unintentionally using his ministerial credit card, paying back $1,260 and cutting up the card in front of reporters.

Last year his MP housing allowance was found to have been almost $16,000 over budget.

Heatley becomes the second minister to resign after Richard Worth stepped down as Internal Affairs Minister, and later from Parliament, for personal reasons amid rumours of inappropriate conduct.

Source: Landlords.co.nz