10. GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) Link to this
to the Minister for Social Development and Employment
Does she believe that it is her department’s responsibility to carry out Government policy?
Why, then, given the Government policy to cap but not cut the Public Service, did she not tell her chief executive that sacking 200 people was contrary to Government policy?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
It is this Government’s policy to let chief executives to do their jobs and manage their departments.
Does the Minister accept that the result of yesterday’s announcement is a net loss of 200 jobs, and that it means that rather than shifting resources to the front line, she is, in fact, cutting the resources of a ministry that is facing an increased workload?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
No cuts are happening; what is happening is that the chief executive is making decisions for his department. We certainly support his making decisions like that.
Louise UpstonWhat plans has the Government put in place to support public sector staff made redundant as a result of the focus on front-line services?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
We have taken immediate steps to assist those people in the public sector being made redundant. Yesterday my colleague the Hon Tony Ryall announced a redeployment package to help match public sector staff who are made redundant with other jobs in the State services. This redeployment option has been developed in conjunction with the Public Service Association, and will give people the option of entering the redeployment pool during a notice period.
Why did she not raise with the Minister any concerns about the impact of cutting staff of the ministry at a time when the ministry is facing an increased workload?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
I am sorry but the member asked why I had not raised concerns with the Minister, and I am not sure which Minister he was talking about.
Mr SPEAKERI guess the member was raising a point of order. I believe that he asked a question. The Minister said she could not understand the question. I believe that is a fair answer.
How does the Minister reconcile John Key’s statement on 11 March—“I believe it is important to save as many jobs as we can, while we can.”—with over 200 jobs being cut at the Ministry of Social Development, or is she telling the staff of her ministry that she sees them as second-class workers?
Hon PAULA BENNETT Link to this
Not at all. There is no one silver bullet to save jobs, but this Government will continue to focus on putting jobs first. Money is tight for everyone, and we have to prioritise our resources where they are needed, which is at the front line.