The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union says the new ‘public servant medal’ would be more acceptable if public servants weren’t paid 34.6% more than taxpayers in the private sector.

Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says, “You would think that earning a third more on average than the private sector would be its own reward. To glorify public servants just for doing their jobs reeks of pro-bureaucracy propaganda.”

“And with five medals given out a year, even unremarkable public bureaucrats will be queued up for an honour.”

“Hard-working taxpayers who fund these bureaucrats’ salaries will be wondering when they get their own medal.”

“The Prime Minister’s feel-good, let’s-give-away-a-prize attitude diminishes the mana of Royal Honours given to the likes of Willie Apiata.”

The Taxpayers’ Union report: Public Sector Wage Gap: The taxpayer-funded premium for working for the government, is available at www.taxpayers.org.nz/wage_gap.

ENDS

© Scoop Media