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\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Quin Tauetau\n<\/p>\n
A home care worker’s calling the government out for alleged double standards over mileage rates paid to MPs.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, home and community support workers were given a temporary boost to their mileage rates – from 63.5 cents to 82.5 cents per kilometre.<\/p>\n
Relief teachers also received a similar increase.<\/p>\n
But the amount politicians can claim for using their private vehicles for work purposes is considerably higher.<\/p>\n
Checkpoint confirmed with Beehive sources that MPs can claim mileage up to 14,000 kilometres a year at an IRD rate of $1.17 cents a kilometre for a petrol car and $1.26 for diesel vehicles.<\/p>\n
MP’s spouses can also claim the mileage if the vehicle use is connected to parliamentary work – for example, driving the MP to a meeting.<\/p>\n
Napier home support worker, Tamara Baddeley called the difference “bloody disgusting.”<\/p>\n
“It’s a total double standard. They are on six-figure salaries to begin with, we are on wages of $25 to $32 an hour,” she said.<\/p>\n
She said she would like to see MPs do care workers’ jobs for a month with their pay and allowances.<\/p>\n
Checkpoint asked Parliamentary Services for the mileage figures but they wouldn’t supply the amounts paid per kilometre, saying the rates were based on AA reports it couldn’t share.<\/p>\n
But the programme confirmed the payments from a claim form that shows IRD rates are used.<\/p>\n
Those are calculated at the end of the financial year and new rates are currently being calculated for the year ended 31 March 2026.<\/p>\n
IRD said they’ll be available soon and will reflect changes to the cost of fuel up to that date.<\/p>\n