Prime Minister is breaking the rules over MFAT incident

The Public Service Association (PSA) says the Prime Minister is at odds with both the Cabinet manual and the State Sector Act in suggesting that an MFAT official lose their job over the Malaysian diplomat incident.

Richard Wagstaff, PSA National Secretary, said “The Prime Minister must not prejudice the result of the inquiry.

“This is an operational issue and the responsibility of MFAT Chief Executive John Allen, not of the Prime Minister.

“The MFAT official in question deserves a fair investigation, rather than simply being told by the PM that she should go before the inquiry has even started.

“Ministers clearly haven’t learned the lesson after Minister McCully appointed Shane Jones without a proper process.

“John Allen needs to step up and make clear that Ministers should keep their noses out of operational matters.

“Natural justice should not be compromised for the sake of political expediency,” said Richard Wagstaff.

ENDS

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