Ae Marika!

At least Harawira arranged with his delegation deputy and the head of the European delegation before he took his side trip - so it wasn't completely AWOL. Just a bit AWOL. What did he miss:

The meeting discussed relations between the EU and New Zealand, family and youth policies and multiculturalism.

Well, it's not as if he's derailed an FTA with the EU or anything of that magnitude by going to Paris. But here again is the spouse factor and how it impacts on - rather than assists - the work of an MP. I very much doubt that Harawira would have gone off to Paris if he was unaccompanied by his wife. The pressure, the demands, their agenda must also be taken account of musn't it?

Partners shouldn't go along on business trips - that's the lesson here. They are not more focussed on their parliamentary or governmental duties because of their partner's presence - they are more distracted.

Apart from the G-G and the PM why is there a need to send partners along? There isn't. It's a waste of resources and even if they paid their own way completely it's still an unnecessary distraction to have them along. Stephen Franks has given an example in defence of this practice - having his French-speaking wife on a tour helped him in a French-speaking country - but these serendipitous overlaps would be few and far between; too rare to justify the policy. It is interesting though, isn't it, no matter what side of the house - Maori Party, Act, National, Labour - everyone - once they get a taste of the perks find innumerable reasons why it is essential. How does carting their missus or mister around Europe make them better parliamentarians and advance the nation's cause. It screams junket - not business. While I wholly approved of his Outback expedition in Australia, this one is so obviously for personal benefit.

The difference with Harawira is that he publicises these things rather than covers it up. Too funny: