17 August 2005

Media release from the State Services Commissioner

STATE SERVICES Commissioner supports Ministry of EDUCATION political neutrality stance

The State Services Commissioner, Mark Prebble, today said he supported the Ministry of Education's stance on political neutrality in relation to inappropriate comments allegedly made at an early childhood workshop. "I am pleased to see the Ministry taking political neutrality seriously. In New Zealand, the State Services serve the government of the day without bias towards one political party or another.

Political neutrality enables the public to have trust and confidence in the ongoing institutions of government at all levels.

"Taxpayer funds should never be used to advocate one particular political party over another. "At election times, State servants must take particular care that their conduct is politically neutral. Early in each election year the State Services Commission issues guidance to State servants to remind them of the main things they need to know prior to, and following a general election," Mark Prebble said.

Copies of this material (a fact sheet and more detailed guidance) can be found on the Integrity and Conduct pages of the SSC's website www.ssc.govt.nz

ENDS

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