Yesterday we learned that former Labour MP Chris Carter was off to Kabul with the UN. While he hasn't resigned from parliament yet, Phil Goff was certain that he would:
Carter must quit before he leaves, [Goff] said. "It's common sense. No-one accepts two salaries. If you've got a job and it's a paying job, you resign. I imagine that's what he'll do."I agree with this. At the same time, I can't help but notice that according to the Register of Pecuniary Interests [PDF], 59 of our MPs work as company directors, and 10 run farms. There's clearly a double-standard at play here, where some jobs are accepted, while others are not.
The idea underlying Carter's expected resignation is that any outside employment is a conflict of interest. That idea is sound. No MP should be working outside of Parliament. If you're elected, you work for us. Not yourself, and not anybody else.
