19 JUNE 2018

Responding to the Government having to look overseas for its proposed Chief Technology Officer, New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Louis Houlbrooke says:

“The Government hasn’t actually proven the need to fork out $500,000 per year for a chief tech-head. Creating a special position looks like expensive tokenism, when it would be far cheaper for the Government to just directly consult with the sector.”

“The fact so many people have applied and been rejected suggests the Minister isn’t even sure what she wants. The Government risks employing a has-been, or getting duped by someone who’s all hype without commercial nous or knowledge of New Zealand.”

“If there’s really no suitable talent, it’s not hard to guess why. Anyone qualified to earn this kind of money in technology will be doing far more exciting things than whatever the New Zealand Government can cook up.”

ENDS

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