The Government says Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt personally paid for his son to accompany him to New Zealand for medical checks, responding to claims circulating on social media that public funds were used for the trip.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Government Press Secretariat said Anslem Schmidt travelled with the Prime Minister solely at his father's personal expense and does not receive any Government salary, allowance or other public funding.
“At no time are these expenses paid for with Government funds,” the statement said.
The Government said Anslem accompanies the Prime Minister because he is the person the Prime Minister “trusts most to provide personal support while travelling.”
“This is a personal family arrangement and should not be interpreted as an official Government-funded role,” the statement said.
