E-Government Advisory Board Members

E-GOVERNMENT ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE DEPUTY STATE SERVICES COMMISSIONER

The Deputy State Services Commissioner, Ross Tanner, announced the members of the advisory board that will provide advice on the work of the State Services Commission's e-government unit.

The board members are: the chief executive of the Ministry of Social Policy, Dame Margaret Bazley; the chief executive of Land Information New Zealand, Dr Russ Ballard; the chief executive of the Department of Labour, Mr John Chetwin; the chief executive of the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, Dr James Buwalda; the chief executive of the North Shore City Council, Mr Rob Hutchison; and the executive director of Comalco New Zealand, Mr Kerry McDonald.

The board will be chaired by the State Services Commissioner, Mr Michael Wintringham.

Mr Tanner said the board, the concept for which was approved by Cabinet, would provide advice on the programme of work for the State Services Commission's e-government unit.

Mr Tanner said the board's specific role was twofold.

"First, the output of the e-government unit - the policies and proposals that it is producing - will have an impact across the Public Service and the State sector. Consequently, a formal means of receiving high-level advice, from experienced public sector chief executives, is necessary.

"Secondly, the work requires careful co-ordination with other departments and Crown entities that are working on aspects of e-government or other questions that will have an impact on e-government. The board will have a role in that co-ordination.

"The board will also pose the hard questions about the practicality of the proposals that the unit is working on. The board brings years of experience, in managing large and complex organisations in the public and the private sectors, to the questions that the public sector faces in e-government.

"Overall, the board is there to play the sage advisor and counsel on e-government."

Mr Tanner said: "The board is an advisory body. Under the State Sector Act 1988, the fact that there is an advisory board does not affect Mr Wintringham's overall responsibility and accountability, as the chief executive of the State Services Commission, for the Commission's work in e-government."

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