08 November 2004

No consistency in taxpayer-funded Treaty courses

"There appears to be huge differences in the quality and the cost of Treaty of Waitangi education courses that public servants are attending at the taxpayer's expense," says National Party Finance spokesman John Key, commenting on recent answers to written Parliamentary questions.

"Health easily spent the most. $15,834 of public money was spent training 70 people, at a cost of $226 per person. Compare that to Internal Affairs, which spent $6,300 training 269 people, at a cost of $23 per person.

"It's clear that not all Treaty courses are created equal. The Government should explain and justify the expense, especially when Crown Law provides a free service.

"In total, five departments have spent $33,332 providing Treaty of Waitangi training to 464 staff in the past 12 months.

"It's impossible to deliver the public consistent Government policy when there is no consistency in the advice being provided," says Mr Key.

ENDS

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