If we want to keep hold of our ability to speak freely without fear of retribution, we must address growing threats to our democracy. The Free Speech Union has advocated for bolstering political neutrality and stronger accountability within the public service, to prevent already concerning democratic backsliding. We have submitted on both the Public Service Commission’s long-term insights briefing, and the Public Service Amendment Bill, to share our concerns, as well as suggestions for a productive path forward, says Stephanie Martin, spokesperson for the Free Speech Union.

“With our democracy under growing pressure, how can we prevent it from backsliding? We must reinforce the pillars that hold it together and ensure public servants are not pressured to self-censor, bullied for their views, or sidelined for not toeing the line.

“As the Public Service Commission consults on the Future of Public Service Integrity, we’ve warned that the public service is under serious strain from ‘soft censorship’, intensifying polarisation, bullying dynamics, and narrowed external engagement, all worsened by an apparent lack of accountability.

“We’ve called for stronger integrity leadership, civics education, more public engagement, and targeted surveys to understand what public servants really think. We’ve also encouraged the Commission to rethink its misguided approach to ‘misinformation’.

“Our submission to the Public Service Amendment Bill similarly supports the intent to strengthen political neutrality. To ensure the bill actually achieves its intended effect, though, we argue that leaders should be held accountable for upholding the Bill of Rights Act, including free speech. We also advocate for strengthening and expanding ‘speaking out’ channels so that public servants can feel free to share their concerns without fear of retribution.

“If neutrality and accountability are not restored, democratic backsliding will only worsen. But if we strengthen these foundations now, we can ensure a public service that serves all New Zealanders and sustains our democracy for the future.”

Read the submissions here:

https://www.fsu.nz/blog/submission-of-the-free-speech-union-on-the-future-of-public-service-integrity-long-term-insights-briefing

https://www.fsu.nz/blog/submission-of-the-free-speech-union-on-the-public-service-amendment-bill

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