Process all wrong for new super ministry

Green Party Social Services Spokesperson Sue Bradford today said the process the Government had used to establish a new 'super ministry' of social development was all wrong.

The Government today announced the creation of the new Ministry of Social Development which will be a merger of the Department of Work and Income and the Ministry of Social Policy.

"The Greens are really concerned about yet another major restructuring of the provider of welfare services to New Zealanders," said Ms Bradford.

"For a department that has been turned upside down a number of times over the last 16 years this will result in a great deal more uncertainty for both employees and beneficiaries.

"I am particularly concerned that the process used to create the new ministry appears to be completely back the front."

Ms Bradford said it made no sense for the Government to decide on and announce a radical restructuring to create a new ministry and in the same announcement to say that terms of reference are starting to be developed to review the centre.

"It seems as though the Government have put the cart before the horse in a major way. They have announced their plans and are now doing the review after the event."

Ms Bradford said considering the skewed process in restructuring the largest Government department, she had real concerns about the scale of any consultation with stakeholding organisations, such as the groups that represent beneficiaries.

"For beneficiary groups and the staff at DWI this latest restructuring will be yet another nightmare and, given that no reviews appear to have been carried out before today's announcement, who knows what this move will achieve?" she said.

ENDS

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