Ruth Dyson

15 January, 2008
Judith Collins misleading New Zealanders again

The National Party’s welfare spokesperson Judith Collins is misleading New Zealanders once again with her selective use of information in media statements, Social Development and Employment Minister Ruth Dyson said today.

The Minister was responding to Ms Collins’ press release today on staff numbers and wages at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).

“MSD is one of the biggest government departments with over 9,000 staff. Its deputy chief executive roles are easily similar to that of smaller departmental chief executive roles and just 3.6 percent of MSD staff earn $100,000 or more,” said Ruth Dyson.

“The fact of the matter is that most of the growth in numbers at MSD is due to the ministry taking on a number of new functions and responsibilities since 2002, not just the merger of Child, Youth and Family and the Ministry of Youth Development, as Ms Collins would lead the public to believe.

“Enterprising Communities, Family and Community Services, Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector and Office for Disability Issues are just a small number of examples of MSD’s new functions.

“On top of this, the Ministry has been responsible for implementing a number of hugely important government policies and programmes such as Working for Families which will deliver $1.6 billion in tax credits to 360,000 New Zealand families.

“Instead of continually providing selective information to the public just to get a news headline, Ms Collins should be applauding the great work MSD staff do in implementing some of the largest government policies which impact on some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”

ENDS

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