Chris

HIPKINS

Education Spokesperson

5 September 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT
Novopay tally too high - Hipkins

Education Ministry staff and contractors called in to assist with National’s Novopay debacle are costing the taxpayer a fortune in expertise and overtime, says Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins.

“A year on from Novopay’s first failed pay run, teachers across the country continue to face stress and uncertainty and taxpayers continue to finance the fallout.

“Labour has revealed that between September 2012 and June 2013 the taxpayer forked out $4.1 million for contractors to fix Novopay’s myriad issues, with the total number of staff assigned to the payroll system snowballing to 152.

“Education Ministry staff diverted to deal with Novopay are also being run ragged, clocking up a total 525 overtime hours to July 2013, at a cost of $17,000.

“Novopay is draining resources at every level. There is no question that contractors’ and ministry staff are working hard on Novopay’s numerous software bugs and data issues, but with the total bill for the payroll system now well in excess of $14 million, taxpayers are right to expect some firm deadlines from the Government.

“Burning out Ministry staff -- and asking their colleagues left behind to carry their ordinary work load -- is no solution, nor is asking the taxpayer to write a blank cheque for costly contractors.

“A year on from the first failed pay cheque some firm deliverables and deadlines from Novopay Minister Steven Joyce are long overdue,” Chris Hipkins said.

ENDS

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