Rankin Loses – Knowledge Wave
RANKIN LOSES: Christine Rankin lost her $1.2 million grievance case against State Services Commissioner Michael
Winteringham at the Employment Court this afternoon. The Chief Employment Court judge Thomas Goddard said that while Mrs
Rankin was entitled to public sympathy, there was no legal wrongdoing. Mrs Rankin walks away from the case with nothing.
She says her losses will be severe. Her lawyers says the Government may not have heard the last of Christine Rankin. Mrs
Rankin says she has had no job offers, but has some engagements on the speaking circuit. Mrs Rankin said sexism was
still rife in the public service in a statement released following the decision. Prime Minister Helen Clark says the
decision justifies the Government’s handling of the case. National leader Jenny Shipley says the outcome is a shocking
indictment of the Labour Party, despite the result.
KNOWLEDGE WAVE: Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash told the Knowledge Wave conference that the Quality of education and
teacher’s pay need to improve in this country, the Welfare system needs to be overhauled and the country should look at
currency alternatives. He said for New Zealand to grow all these things need to happen. He said New Zealand needs growth
of about 3 ½ percent. Dr Brash made it clear his comments represented his personal views, not those of the Reserve Bank.
Reaction to his speech has been mixed and widespread. Prime Minister Helen Clark said “fortunately Dr Brash is employed
to run monetary policy and not social policy.”