The Labour Party talent showcase for the three MPs vying to become party leader will roll into Dunedin early next month, courtesy of taxpayer funding.
Grant Robertson, Shane Jones and David Cunliffe yesterday defended the use of taxpayer money to fund their nationwide campaigns, saying they did not make the rules.
University of Otago political scientist Bryce Edwards told the Otago Daily Times the issue had the potential to upset taxpayers, who would not see the use of taxpayer money for the leadership contest as legitimate.
''Interestingly, the MPs had decided to use just their flight entitlements as MPs and not surface transport, such as taxis, or accommodation. They saw this as an issue coming and prepared themselves.
''Technically, they are correct. Parliamentary flights are legitimate and there are quite specific rules. But the argument will be around whether or not it should be legitimate.''
He said most of the public would see it as ''an illegitimate use of taxpayers' money''.
''It has the potential to be a key issue.''
Dr Edwards would not be surprised if the MPs backed down and paid for their own flights. As soon as one MP paid for his flights, he received an advantage and the others would have to follow, he said.
There should be pressure on other MPs attending the various meetings around the country to say whether they were using taxpayer funds to attend, Dr Edwards said.
Mr Cunliffe told The New Zealand Herald the party had sought advice from Parliamentary Services, which had confirmed campaign-related flights and phone calls were covered, but taxis, accommodation and other costs were not.
''The rules are not decided by me. We will follow the rules as we are given them.
''The selection of a party leader is both a party process and arguably a proper process for the Parliamentary process too, because party leaders have both a party role and a Parliamentary role.''
Labour whip Chris Hipkins said the candidates were being very careful about making a clear distinction between Parliamentary and campaign-related expenses.
He emphasised that the MPs would continue doing their Parliamentary jobs while they campaigned for the leadership position.
The 12 leadership husting meetings start this Saturday in Levin. The Dunedin meeting will be held on Sunday, September 8, and the last meeting will be held in Christchurch on September 10.
A meeting will be held in Blackball, the birthplace of the Labour Party, on September 9.
