Kiwi politician also visited a strip club

They may be trans-Tasman rivals, but it seems they do have common interests - such as visiting strip clubs.

Sydney, Aug.21 : They may be trans-Tasman rivals, but it seems they do have common interests - such as visiting strip clubs.

Close on the heels of several Australian politicians acknowledging that they visited strip joints in their youth, or when they were middle-aged, a Labor frontbencher has hinted that the leader of New Zealand's main opposition party too had visited a strip club in his younger days.

New Zealand National Party Leader John Key joined a list of many Australian parliamentarians who have revealed their red light district adventurisms, following Labor Leader Kevin Rudd's revelation that he went to a New York strip joint after getting drunk in 2003.

Rudd made headlines globally after admitting that he visited the "Scores Gentlemen's Club" with New York Post Editor Col Allan and Labor MP Warren Snowdon during a taxpayer-funded visit to the United Nations.

Key was quoted by news.com.au as saying that he had gone to strip clubs "a couple of times in my life", once for a company "stag do" and another time in New York.

Asked what he thought of it, Key replied: "Overrated."

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said that as a woman, she did not think visiting strip clubs was "appropriate entertainment".

Federal Opposition Treasury Spokesman Wayne Swan today hinted that he had been to a topless pub in his Queensland electorate.

Swan grinned at reporters in Melbourne today when asked if he had been to a strip club. Pushed on attending topless bars, Swan said: "You can go to my electorate (of Lilley) any Friday afternoon and wander in there and find various people in various states of dress".

Meanwhile, Britain's The Daily Telegraph said in an editorial that while it must have been embarrassing for Rudd to admit he went to Scores, he had nothing to be ashamed of.

"The striptease, which was invented there (New York), is one of its major cultural attractions, and should not be missed, the editorial said.

After Rudd's revelations, other Australian politicians also confessed to visiting strip clubs.

Defence Minister Brendan Nelson admitted he visited a strip club almost 30 years ago.

"I remember being at one when I was 20, in Adelaide," he said.

Victorian Premier John Brumby suggested strip clubs were the only reason people visited Sydney.

"The last time I attended a strip place would have probably been in the 1970s, when I was a student, I think if my memory's correct it was probably in Sydney," he said.

Queensland Deputy Premier Anna Bligh owned up to a bit of mischief.

"I've seen a strip-o-gram in a Chinese restaurant once - does that count?" she said.

Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser said he hadn't been to a strip club - at least recently.

Transport Minister Paul Lucas said he had seen strip shows "a couple of times" in his 20s.

ANI