Simon Power
National Party Law & Order Spokesman

10 April 2006

Corrections Minister loses control

The Corrections Minister has lost control of his department when it threatens to sack the head of the main prison officers’ union – one of its guards – for speaking out, says National’s Law & Order spokesman, Simon Power.

“What is going on in the public sector? First it seems we have issues within Housing NZ over a whistleblower and now we get this from Corrections.

“This department is becoming a law unto itself when it threatens someone who is speaking their mind over very real and serious matters that involve public safety.

“Damien O’Connor has lost control of his department – or does he sanction this type of approach?

“To blame Beven Hanlon for the raft of shortcomings that have been uncovered in Corrections over the past six months just goes to show what a sense of crisis the management of the department must be feeling.

“They are diverting attention from the issues.

“Instead of threatening him with the sack they should be concentrating on fixing the problems he is talking about.”

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