30 April 2009 Media Statement
Frontline services go in fisheries job cuts
Around 30 Ministry of Fisheries staff in Nelson, Dunedin, Auckland and Napier will lose their jobs as the National
Government makes further cuts to the public service, State Services spokesperson Grant Robertson says.
“So far more than 1000 jobs are on the chopping block in the public service and the National Government isn’t finished
yet,” Grant Robertson said.
“The Government has made claims about moving staff from the backroom to the frontline. However, this is nothing more
than a meaningless slogan.
“In this case the Government is cutting staff in the regions who work directly with communities, and replacing them with
a small central team in Wellington. That is not moving people to the frontline, and will result in poorer services for
the public.
Grant Robertson said the latest round of cuts to regional fisheries jobs could potentially harm services in that area.
“Local communities should have their needs met locally, now recreational fishers, iwi and communities will have to
contact Wellington to discuss their local issues.
“National seem more interested in feathering their own nest by using public service funded political advisors in their
Ministerial offices than delivering increases in frontline services for New Zealanders.
“New Zealanders are struggling and now more than 1000 ordinary Kiwi’s have lost or will lose their incomes because of
their short-sighted job and service cuts.
“So far the Tertiary Education Commission, Ministry for Environment, Ministry of Health, National Library, State
Services Commission, Ministry of Social Development, Inland Revenue and now the Ministry of Fisheries, have either cut
jobs or signalled their intention to. Clearly this makes a mockery of John Key’s ‘cap not cut’ claim.
“Its time the National Party delivered more than slogans, jobs cuts and pay rises for their own staff. Clearly there is
one rule for National Government Ministers and another for the rest of New Zealand when it comes to pay rises and staff
numbers, “Grant Robertson said.
ENDS