Rick Barker

By Paloma Migone of NZPA

Wellington, June 10 NZPA - Former Labour Minister Rick Barker charged 16 Corona beers during a two-person meal on his ministerial credit card, and later reimbursed it for 'some' of the cost.

In the Labour government, Mr Barker held minor portfolios: internal affairs, civil defence, veterans' affairs and courts.

Inquiries under the Official Information Act showed he stacked up a $176 bill on dinner for two, which included more than a dozen beers and two rib meals at Lone Star Auckland in September 2003.

Mr Barker wrote a personal cheque of $81.50 to cover the cost of one meal and "some drinks", bringing the bill down to $94.50.

He said he couldn't remember who he was having dinner with.

Corporate credit policy states using credit cards for personal spending, regardless of the intent to reimburse, is not permitted.

Mr Barker's office also had trouble getting receipts to Ministerial Services on time, receiving occasional reminders.

Receipts were lost for dinners, car rentals and accommodation.

One of the receipts was for $336 Craggy Range winery's Terroir restaurant near Havelock North in June 2004.

Mr Barker justified the expense as a dinner with McDonald's restaurant senior managers; the objective was to enter an arrangement to take staff from Work and Income.

"Successful," a note on his reconciliation form says.

In October 2006, two movies worth about $45 were charged to the staff credit card at a Hilton Washington Embassy Row room in the United States capital, while Mr Barker was travelling to meetings relating to his civil defence and veterans' affairs portfolio.

The staff credit card can be used for both staff and minister's expenses.

"I don't watch movies in a hotel. I don't recall ever watching movies in a hotel," Mr Barker said. "I take a book. It's a staff member, that one.

"The first time I saw it was today. I never saw my staff credit card bills," he said.

"When I went through that, I was really surprised."