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       MP, who wanted to keep councillor pay too, changes his mind
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       Jamie Arbuckle, the Marlborough district councillor who became an MP
       at the October election, says "upon reflection" he will donate the
       money from his council role to a local charity.
        
       He was at the centre of questions after deciding to stay in the two
       roles, and continue getting paid for both.
        
       In a statement, the NZ First MP originally said he would remain as a
       Marlborough District councillor until October of this year to avoid a
       "costly" byelection should he resign before then.
        
       "At the moment, I believe I'm still doing the job of a councillor," he
       said, video-calling home from Wellington but still making it to most
       Marlborough District Council meetings in person.
        
       But after "feedback and upon reflection", he said on Tuesday, any
       money he got from his council role since the election would be
       "donated to a local district community charity".
        
       Councillors in Marlborough with no extra responsibilities were paid
       $40,250, but Arbuckle was on the economic finance committee, earning
       more.
        
       An MP's base salary was $163,961, plus office expenses,
       superannuation, accommodation supplements and more.
        
        **rnz.co.nz**
        
        
        
        
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