Smith mislead Parliament on ACC redundancies

Papers released under the Official Information Act indicate that ACC Minister Nick Smith has mislead Parliament, and tried to unfairly blame his department for his pre-emptive announcement of redundancies in late May, Grant Robertson, Labour State Services Spokesperson says.

“Nick Smith told Parliament in June that he had only learned ‘subsequently’ that he had announced redundancies at ACC before staff were to be told,” Grant Robertson said.

“However papers from the ACC show that he was briefed twice, once in writing, and once orally that staff were to be told about the redundancies the day after he made his statement.

“Dr Smith was clearly advised of the process that ACC had in place to advise staff about redundancies. He shot his mouth off the day before, and has consistently refused to take responsibility for his actions. In doing so I believe he has mislead Parliament, and to that end I have lodged a breach of privilege complaint with the Speaker.

“To make matters worse Dr Smith has tried to claim that the oral briefing he received from ACC indicated that staff were to be told about the redundancies on the day he made his statements.

“There is no evidence to back up this claim, and in fact the papers released by ACC directly contradict Dr Smith’s claim.

“The Chief Executive of ACC had gone to great lengths to create a process around the redundancies that was sensitive to the concerns of staff.

“Dr Smith cut across that and has shown no remorse for doing so. The Chief Executive was forced to send an apology email to all staff, but despite being asked, Dr Smith has not taken the time to do the same.

“National’s cuts to public services are causing considerable stress to staff and their families. The kind of approach being taken by Nick Smith shows a contempt for Parliament, but moreover it shows a lack of respect for these hard-working New Zealanders. He should be ashamed of himself.” Grant Robertson said.

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TIMELINE

Friday 22 May 2009: ACC Weekly Report to the Minister states “ We will brief the PSA and managers on proposals to make organisational changes in a number of corporate office functions on Tuesday 26 may. On Wednesday 27 May, will commence consultation with staff and the PSA on these changes”

Monday 25 May 2009: Minister receives oral briefing at Officials Meeting that confirms the advice in the weekly report.

Tuesday 26 May 2009: Nick Smith says during the ACC Financial Review Debate “ there will be redundancies announced in corporate office this week.”

Tuesday 26 May 2009. ACC Chief Executive Jan White sends an email to all staff noting that redundancies were “unexpectedly signalled” in Parliament and “ sincerely apologising” for the way in which staff had heard about this.

Wednesday 3 June: Under questioning in the House, Nick Smith refused to apologise saying “ I was of the understanding that staff were informed on Tuesday prior to the debate. I subsequently found out that only senior staff were informed on the Tuesday prior to the debate.”

Friday 3 July 2009: ACC release Official Information Act papers showing the Minister received two briefings that indicated staff were to be told about the redundancies on Wednesday 27 May 2009. Minister claims the second (oral) briefing advised him that staff would be told on the Tuesday.

Please find attached copies of the OIA's and and email from ACC Jan white to staff apologising after Nick Smith told Parliament about redundancies before those affected were notified.
Smith_OIA.pdf
ACC_OIA.pdf
jan_white_apology.pdf

ENDS

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