February 5, 2013

Joyce Mr Spin It not Mr Fix it

Education Minister Steven Joyce is in charge of managing publicity of the Novopay debacle rather than taking action to fix it, Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said today after official advice showed problems could take two years to fix.

“Steven Joyce is touted as the National Government’s Mr Fix It but really he’s Mr Spin It,” Mrs Turei said.

“Official advice leaked to the Green Party shows Novopay problems could take two years to fix and see significantly more taxpayer cash poured in.

“Steven Joyce claimed a time frame couldn’t be put on how long it would take to resolve problems but the advice shows he was given sobering information spelling out how long it would actually take.”

“It’s time the Minister started being more honest with parents, teachers and principals who are really struggling with Novopay problems rather than try spin the facts to try make things look better than they are.

“The advice also highlights plans to ‘manage’ and ‘mitigate’ the release of damaging information.

“Steven Joyce was brought in to manage and mitigate not fix the problems,” Mrs Turei said.

Further information:
Link to the briefing paper
http://www.greens.org.nz/sites/default/files/skmbt_c451-13020117000.pdf

ENDS

Scoop copy of Novopay Briefing to the incoming Minister: skmbt_c45113020117000.pdf

© Scoop Media

Mighty River: 'Mum And Dad’ Investors Myth Busted

Green Party research, confirmed by Treasury, shows that half of the shares in Mighty River Power that National sold to retail investors went to just 13,000 people and that 10 percent of the retail shares went to just 400 wealthy people and organisations, Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today.

The sale of Mighty River Power saw 113,000 retail investors, referred to as ‘mum and dad’ investors by the National Government, buy 26.9 percent of the company. Analysis by the Greens and Treasury shows that half of those shares were, in fact, purchased by fewer than 13,000 people who bought an average of nearly $35,000 worth of shares...

“The truth is that 98 percent of New Zealanders bought no shares at all. Half the retail shares went to just 0.3 percent of the population, and a tiny group of just 400 wealthy individuals and organisations got 10 percent of the retail shares. More>>