MP's Spouses to Stop Getting Free Flights?

Nice loaded title ain't it. Well I've just come across a story on Stuff.co.nz where John Key has told his ministers that if they want to take their spouses or partners overseas with them on business that they will have to use their own money to do it. Now to me this is common sense. While politics seems to be largely a thankless task travel for work is travel for work, not a taxpayer funded holiday with the Mr. or Mrs. So it's nice to see one of the political leaders making a statement about it even though its up to the ministers and parlimentary services to make sure it's listened to. Here's hoping that the politicians will understand things like this will go a long way in the public's perception about their willingness to lead by example in the economic downturn and in life in general.