Government tries to silence Tamihere again

The proposed merger of the Ministry of Youth Affairs into the Ministry of Social Development is a public slap in the face for John Tamihere, says National MP Simon Power.

"Only a few weeks ago the Minister of Youth Affairs John Tamihere said:

"The Ministry of Social Development must be decentralised, funding and all.

"It is clear that our potentials can never be realised or released by an all knowing, all caring central bureaucracy called the Ministry of Social Development." [i]

"It seems highly likely that Mr Tamihere knew about these merger plans when he made his infamous speech, and that speaking out publicly was the only way for his objections to be heard.

"His Cabinet colleagues have now shown what they think of his opinions by releasing the proposal to merge his Ministry into Steve Maharey's portfolio.

"It will be interesting to see how Mr Tamihere can work with Mr Maharey, given their very different philosophies.

"It's timely that on the same day the proposal is announced, Mr Tamihere has once again made clear his opinion about "statism" and the bureaucracy:

"It's all about patch protection and empire building. Individually, they're well intended. But, when they get into their bureaucratic tribe, their tribalism comes out." [ii]

"It must be humiliating for Mr Tamihere to be forced to publicly surrender his patch to Steve Maharey," said Mr Power.

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