PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION
MEDIA RELEASE 12 April

Restructuring not the answer, says
PSA national secretary

The PSA is disappointed with the announcement to re-merge the Ministry of Social Policy and the Department of Work and Income. "The decision has been rushed through without consultation or adequate thought", says PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff.

"The assurances of the Ministers of State Services and Social Services do not stop immediate anxiety for public service workers about job security. The uncertainty and distraction that a restructuring causes is disabling for the work at hand and unwelcome for our members".

"We are concerned the description of the new organisation makes it "lopsided". It is to be responsible for advising government on "strategic and cross-sectoral social policy" but does not include all the sector. A large proportion of the Minster of Social Policy's focus is on issues to do with Child, Youth and Family, yet CYFS is not part of this new organisation. We understand, and agree with, the reluctance to place CFYS under more uncertainty and disruption but it seems illogical to set up a body to look at issues across the sector but only covers part of that sector”, said Mr Wagstaff.

"The PSA agrees with the Ministers about the problems caused by fragmentation of the public service and the split of policy and operation functions. We expect to be part of the debate with government about addressing those problems and the options for building a modern public service. However, we believe time and care must be taken to plan comprehensive solutions before more restructuring".

ENDS

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