Sue Moroney
Women’s Affairs Spokesperson

16 April 2013

Jackie Blue will have to drop the ‘blue’

The appointment of National MP Jackie Blue as Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Commissioner is yet another example of cronyism from the current Government, Labour’s spokesperson for Women’s Affairs Sue Moroney says.

“Hard on the heels of Dame Susan Devoy’s appointment as Race Relations Commissioner, the Government is fast turning the Human Rights Commission into a recruitment agency for its supporters.

“The EEO Commissioner should be an independent advocate able to give full attention to the demands of the role – not someone who is juggling relationships with former political colleagues.

“The National List MP stood by while her Government cut training incentive allowances for sole parents, scrapped pay equity processes in the public service and reduced the target of equal representation of women on state sector boards.

“She also voted against extending paid parental leave to six months– an important issue for achieving equal employment opportunities.

“Jackie Blue will need to advocate for all New Zealanders. After eight years in Parliament, she will have her work cut out,” Sue Moroney says.

ENDS

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