5. Hon TONY RYALL (National—Bay of Plenty) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What reports, if any, has he received on a speech given by chief nursing adviser Mark Jones in Nelson recently, and does he consider it to be consistent with the Public Service Code of Conduct?
Hon JIM ANDERTON (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
Compliance with the Public Service Code of Conduct by individual public servants is, of course, an employment matter, and therefore the responsibility of the Director-General of Health as the chief executive officer of the Ministry of Health.
Is it consistent with the Public Service ethos that after a left-wing diatribe about the benefits of collectivism and the immorality of profit, the chief nursing adviser, Mark Jones, should tell a large group of nurses that they were “vote maximisers”, who should spend the next 6 to 8 weeks highlighting the benefits of the Government’s policies; and is it his attitude that the Ministry of Health and its officials are now an extension of the Labour Party’s propaganda arm?
I am advised that the article is based on a reporter’s notes of a large group discussion. I am unable to comment on the reliability of any of the assertions made. I am advised, however, that Tony Ryall spoke at the same conference and said nothing of any substance.
Dr Jonathan Coleman Link to this
Would the Minister agree with Mr Jones’ remarks in his speech that primary health organisations had been provided with a big chunk of public money, but some had an immoral ethic, and money flowed through to general practitioners’ back pockets; and is it part of the Government’s health strategy to pit nurses against doctors and use them as vote maximisers?
I am aware that a recent Waikato business school survey has indicated that general practitioner incomes have risen—and I am not opposed to people’s incomes rising. I am also advised, however, that the Labour-Progressive Government has put a significant sum of money—in excess of $2 billion—into the primary health care system, and by 1 July this year will have cut in half the price of going to the doctor, for all New Zealanders. I think the House would like to know whether the National Party actually supports that achievement or opposes it.
Dr Jonathan Coleman Link to this
Is it surprising that we have a climate of continual industrial unrest in the health sector, when we have a senior public servant out there urging health workers to become politicised, and promoting the Government’s political strategy of using health care workers as “vote maximisers”?
I understand that under the Public Service Code of Conduct, public servants should fulfil their lawful obligations to the Government with professionalism and integrity. My understanding is that Mr Jones is a hard-working, well-regarded member of the health sector and a dedicated public servant.
Dr Jonathan Coleman Link to this
Does this Minister these days regard Minister Hodgson as a “vote maximiser” or a “vote minimiser”?
If I had a choice between Mr Hodgson and the member asking the question in this House at this moment, then it would be a no-brainer as to who I would choose.
They can laugh, but one of your highly paid public servants is doing your propaganda at nurses, at the taxpayers’ expense, and is telling nurses that the Government’s attitude is that nurses are “vote maximisers” who will spend the next 6 to 8 months doing the Government’s business; that should be stopped.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am not totally au fait with your vote, but I do not think you have any highly paid officials called apparatchiks working for you. Therefore, that member should follow the Standing Orders.
Madam SPEAKERI agree. The member has been in this House long enough to know not to pull the Speaker into the debate.