PSA Media Release

Quality of services, not rugby, should be measure of investment in public services

"The quality and accessibility of public services should be the measure of government re-investment in public services," said Brenda Pilott, PSA National Secretary in response to National Party MP Gerry Brownlee's use of rugby fields to calculate increased space taken up by new public service workers.

"Most of the new public service workers are working on the frontline in places like District Health Boards, public prisons and in border protection agencies," said Brenda Pilott. "Is Gerry Brownlee really expecting New Zealanders will agree to cuts in these important public services?"

"This government has made necessary re-investment in public services after the slash and burn approach of the National Government during the 1990s," said Brenda Pilott. "This rebuilding has obviously required more office space for public service workers and the services they run."

"The government has an ambitious social and economic reform agenda so its only logical that it needs policy analysts and frontline workers to ensure that New Zealand public services are world class."

The PSA represents over 54,000 public service workers in central and local government, the health sector and in community services.

"Instead of constantly attacking public servants, the National Party should be putting its energy into developing policies to make New Zealand the high-wage, high-skill, high productivity economy that will benefit all New Zealanders."

"Public service workers play an important role throughout New Zealand working as conservation rangers, probation officers, meat inspectors, nurses, export advisors and in many other important jobs."

ENDS

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