[asia-apec 1209] NZ: APEC - National Business Review

[Gatt Watchdog]

The National Business Review
July 23 1999

Private BIN

Roughing it Apec style

Our usually reliable police informant, Inspector Knacker, reports
further examples of wanton excess.

This time it's mollycoddling plods on Apec yawn-fest duty.

Instead of head-and-toeing it in campervans, tents, decommissioned
warships or under park benches, police softies will live
in two- to four-star-rated digs, complete with two cooked meals
and "one boxed meal of high standard".

Usually uniformed coppers required for dress-up delegation
security have been promised $100 towards suit hire or purchase -
with Hallensteins quick to offer a discounted "one-size-fits-all"
job lot.

Police bosses say they will pick up the tab for ordinary suit
cleaning if officers fall in the mud or have eggs and other messy
objects thrown at them.

Police required to sleep away from home during Apec will get $35 a
day.  This generosity, says Inspector Knacker, is not expected to
apply to police Commissioner Peter Doone, who last weekend quit
his family home to move into the Tinakori Rd, Wellington, love
nest of new partner, Robyn Johnstone, corporate communications
manager at the Land Transport Safety Authority.