13 Oct 2011

Fewer MAF jobs will reduce Department’s ability to keep NZ safe

MAF threatens to put New Zealand at risk by dumping the jobs of hundreds of people who carry years of crucial expertise and knowledge, says the PSA.

Earlier today, the Department announced to staff the final plan of a redesign that MAF says is driven by the vision of ‘Growing and Protecting New Zealand.’

The PSA believes this hides the real dangers to New Zealand’s primary industries and environment.

“How can New Zealand grow and be more protected when the public service Department charged with doing that is going to be very much more stretched as a result of these changes?,” says PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.

“This is nothing more than a cost-cutting exercise.

“Our members have told us that work will have to be reprioritised and that some work will simply not be done in the future as a result of specialist and administrative support staff being dumped.

“Where is the logic in specialist agricultural, bio-security, food and fisheries advisors not doing core work because they are overstretched or having to carry out their own administrative support?

“New Zealand depends on its primary industries. We cannot afford, especially in this economic climate to put those export industries in jeopardy.

“We fear that MAF is cutting corners and is putting New Zealand’s people and its environment at unacceptable risk.

“If this year has taught us anything it’s that disaster strikes when least expected and if you don’t have the equipment, expertise and capacity to respond effectively, it costs much more in the end both financially and environmentally.

“Preventative costs are generally much lower than the costs associated with disaster management.

“If you want to effectively meet the needs and requirements of the New Zealand public you put a fence at the top of the cliff rather than an ambulance at the bottom,” says Richard Wagstaff.

ENDS

© Scoop Media