Call for tax culture change welcomed by PSA

PSA press release 13 October

Call for tax culture change
welcomed by PSA

The PSA, the union representing New Zealand’s tax workers, today expressed satisfaction with the findings of the select committee inquiry into the IRD.

‘In particular we are happy our submission highlighting a culture of “punishment and fear” has led to some serious analysis of what has been happening and looked at some remedies for it,” says the PSA president Kathy Higgins.

The Finance and Expenditure Committee’s report says there must be ‘a cultural shift within the department and that shift must come from the top.’

The priority recommendation there be a ‘nationally consistent training programme aimed at improving communication and customer service skills’ is ‘in line with what the PSA has been saying needs to happen and happen soon,’ Ms Higgins said.

By identifying taxpayer satisfaction as a paramount objective for the department the report explicitly said ‘it did not wish to denigrate the department’s employees’ saying ‘the level of communication between (the) National Office and the coalface needs improvement.’

Ms Higgins said the findings show there is a real need for IRD to embrace and involve staff in a ‘workplace partnership’ aimed at driving up better quality service and more satisfying jobs with and continuing emphasis on skills development and career structures.

ENDS

For more information please call the PSA president Kathy Higgins on 021 615 154 or Wellington-based organiser June Hoddle on 025 277 8126

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