Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Anderton confirms public service ‘blacklist’

Gerry Brownlee MP
National Party State Services Spokesman

15 November 2007

Anderton confirms public service ‘blacklist’

National Party State Services spokesman Gerry Brownlee is alarmed that Cabinet Minister Jim Anderton is today defending a new low standard in public service employment, effectively confirming a “blacklist” of candidates.

“What Mr Anderton is saying, is that no matter how competent you are, if you have a politically active relative or close friend, you should forget trying to get a job in the supposedly neutral public service.”

Responding to questions over his Ministerial veto of Madeleine Setchell, Mr Anderton said: ‘the person who's in a vulnerable position will always have the bone pointed at them. My only concern was whoever was appointed to a position like this which is sensitive would be put in a difficult position if something happened, and they'd be blamed even if it was completely unfair’.

Mr Brownlee is alarmed that this is the new low standard being set by the State Services Commission and demonstrates how Labour is giving up all pretence of a neutral public service.

“I am baffled by the Public Service Association’s apparent acceptance of this new low standard – which amounts to a blacklist.

“Madeleine Setchell was denied two jobs because Ministers thought she would pose a risk, despite the fact she’d worked for government departments before and was held in high regard.

“Labour has confirmed what most New Zealanders already knew. By stealth, previously neutral departments are becoming increasingly political. Come election year, they will inevitably be expected to do their masters’ bidding.

“Labour has fostered a climate of fear where chief executives now believe they have to give Ministers the right to veto staff appointments. On that basis, fair-minded New Zealanders simply won’t believe that Ministers’ opinions did not matter in the Setchell employment case.”

Ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.