1. GERRY BROWNLEE (National—Ilam) Link to this
to the Minister of State Services
Does the view expressed by the Minister of Agriculture that “the person who is in a vulnerable position will always have the bone pointed at them” indicate the Government’s thinking on the appointment process for senior positions in the Public Service?
Hon DAVID PARKER (Minister of State Services) Link to this
Mr Anderton did nothing wrong. His comments were appropriate and showed the maturity and consideration that comes from his long experience.
Does he agree with the statement made by the Hon Jim Anderton to the Hunn review that in his view the role of communications advisers has developed to be very different from what it used to be, because it increasingly involves communications strategy, and sometimes highly political strategy; and can he explain exactly why the State sector has become involved in highly political strategy?
Hon Dr Nick SmithThat is about the size of it. Has the Minister seen the quote of the acting communications manager in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which states: “Madeleine has been upfront about her relationship, which, in my view should pose no obstacle to her being able to take up the contract position I am offering. However, I am aware of some of the political sensitivities that may be present around this appointment and would ask, should you think it appropriate, you to raise this possible appointment with the Minister.”; and why does he think that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry felt so obliged to defer to the Minister on this particular employment issue?
He did not say that. Further, criticisms are made by the reports that are soft criticisms of the chief executive of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry—
—“That well-known socialist.”, as Dr Cullen said, somewhat parenthetically—because although things were not perfect at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, they were not actually bad there.
Why did the State Services Commissioner have to tell Hugh Logan that increased emphasis on the environmental policy was not the same as close political management of the Minister’s political position, and does the fact that Mr Logan failed to listen not indicate that Mr Prebble lacks the authority to rebuild and restore the political neutrality of the Public Service?
The inquiry speaks for itself in respect of that. I think the point that the inquiry makes, and that we certainly agree with on this side of the House, is that all people should be employed on their merits. They should be dealt with on their merits, and that was the whole point of this inquiry. The inquiry showed that Madeleine Setchell had not been dealt with fairly.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
In the light of references to political appointments under this Government, can the Minister confirm that the Deputy State Services Commissioner, Iain Rennie—appointed by this Government and supported by this Government—is a former senior member of the National research unit?
I can, indeed, and that is to speak no ill of him at all. He is a well-regarded public servant; he was appointed on his merits.
Why does the Minister continue to express confidence in Dr Prebble when it is clear from the evidence in the Hunn report that the Public Service, under his watch, has been heavily politicised?
Dr Pita SharplesTēnā koe, Madam Speaker. Tēnā tātou katoa. What explanation can the Minister provide for the finding in the State Services Commission’s career progression and development survey that more Māori, at 24 percent, than non-Māori, at 17 percent, were likely to report they had been deterred from applying for a senior role because they perceived the selection process to be unfair?
Madam SPEAKER