Chris Hipkins
Education Spokesperson

13 March 2014

Bill for Novopay bungles tops $43 million

The taxpayer now faces a bill of at least $43 million because of Education Minister Hekia Parata’s bungled decision to implement the failed Novopay payroll system, Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins says.

“Today’s revelation by Minister Responsible for Novopay Steven Joyce that remediation costs for Novopay have already topped $33 million and another $10 million has been budgeted for, clearly shows Novopay never should have been given the green light in the first place.

“It is clear this failed system is sucking up resources that would otherwise be used to improve educational outcomes for Kiwi kids.

“These on-going costs for the taxpayer follow two surveys showing the education sector has lost faith in the system.

“The Principals Federation found 73 per cent of its members have no confidence in Novopay as an effective payroll tool. The Educational Institute found more than 80 per cent of schools had reported still experiencing serious issues with Novopay.

“Steven Joyce needs to start listening to these experts who would rather be spending their time teaching our children instead of worrying about whether they will get their next pay cheque.

“Novopay is an ongoing drain on taxpayers which, despite the minister’s assurances, is no closer to being fixed,” Chris Hipkins says.

ENDS

© Scoop Media