Judith Collins MP
National Party Families Spokeswoman

22 April 2005

Maharey's double standard on secret handshakes

National Party Families spokeswoman Judith Collins is accusing Steve Maharey of double standards over secret golden handshakes.

"This week Mr Maharey has shown a cavalier disregard towards the golden handshake at the Families Commission.

"He should be calling for heads to roll. That's what he was doing in Opposition!

"If, as Mr Maharey's spokesman says, the Government has made its expectations on golden handshakes 'crystal clear' to the commission's board, why did he allow it to proceed?

"Is he admitting that he hasn't been keeping tabs on the taxpayer's investment in the Families Commission?

"Mr Maharey's exercising Labour's famous selective amnesia again. I hope these quotes help jog his memory," says Ms Collins.

23 November 1999 'This is a case of stunningly inept personnel management at the very top of a major government department," Mr Maharey said. "Winz attempted the summary dismissal of a top executive and messed it up.' - Steve Maharey. 'Winz has messed up dismissals before, but this time it also messed up the settlement. As usual it tried to hush up the whole business with confidentiality clauses.' - Steve Maharey.

'A properly run department just wouldn't make this kind of mess.' - Steve Maharey.

'The Government and State Services Commission must inquire further into these payouts.' - Steve Maharey. 'It's a pity it takes a leak to start flushing the truth out of Winz. Public trust and confidence in the state sector is at an all-time low and this is why. Labour is committed to rebuilding the public service, including Winz, into something New Zealanders can respect again.' - Steve Maharey.

'What will stop this kind of thing happening again is a Government and a minister determined to stamp out the culture of extravagance that has been allowed to flourish in Winz.' - Steve Maharey.

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