Tim Costley: National MP living 40 minutes from Parliament defends decision to take taxpayer funded apartment

National MP Tim Costley says his CBD apartment makes him a more effective MP. The first-term MP for Otaki is facing criticism for taking a $36,400 Parliamentary allowance to live in the Wellington apartment, which he owns himself.  Costley lives just 58km from the Beehive in Waikanae, a roughly 40-minute drive from Parliament.  He is also under fire for spending around $15,000 on travel in just three months according to expense returns, but says this is explained by travel he has booked in advance and expenses that weren't processed last year.  He joined Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills to explain his decision. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.