Grant Robertson
State Services spokesperson

5 August 2010 Media Statement

Chief Executive Spending Not the Biggest Issue Facing Public Services

The Labour Party is confident that the material released today confirms that the public sector chief executive mostly spend money wisely, but the government's continual undermining of public services is putting at risk their ability to provide quality services, says Labour State Services spokesperson Grant Robertson.

“We welcome transparency in terms of the expenditure on behalf of taxpayers.
“What the documents released today show is that for the most part chief executives have made reasonable spending decisions. Most New Zealanders would support chief executives showing hospitality to visitors and recognising the hard-work and long service of their staff.

“However some chief executives on large salaries might also want to consider if it is necessary to go for expensive lunches or charge for coffees with other managers or stakeholders they meet with regularly.

“Given that many people, including public servants, have had little or no wage increases this year, it is understandable if they will look at some of the expenditure on entertainment and wonder if this is appropriate.

“But the reality is today’s release of credit card spending should not detract from the real issues facing New Zealand’s public services.

“The real issue in the public service is the indiscriminate cuts and ideological approach to public services which is meaning a reduction in quality of public services.

“Today we learned that 1400 elderly in Canterbury have had their home help reduced, victims of sexual abuse have had their access to counselling cut and parents wanting to send their children to early childhood education face increased costs and a reduction in access to qualified teachers.

“The National Government is indiscriminately cutting public services and those cuts are affecting real New Zealanders every day. Those are the issues we need to be focused on,” Grant Robertson said.

ENDS

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