Chris Hipkins
State Services Spokesperson
16 March 2012
State sector makeover—skin deep
John Key’s latest ‘to-do’ list - giving the public sector an all-expenses paid makeover courtesy of the taxpayer -
really is skin deep, says Labour’s State Services spokesperson Chris Hipkins.
“Restructures, relocation and rebranding will cost a fortune, and for what? New Zealand’s next top ministry?
“The creation of a mega ministry makes plain the government’s short-sighted approach. It was only two years ago that the
Ministry of Science and Innovation was even formed. Worse still, It was only last year that the Department of Building
and Housing took over social housing policy.
“That was obviously a mistake which John Key tried to shrug off yesterday with suggestions that area would be reviewed.
“Removing social housing policy from Housing New Zealand, transferring it to DBH, and now removing it from DBH to
transfer it somewhere else is just one example of National’s expensive shuffling.
“Putting National’s organisational incompetence aside, New Zealanders will be wondering how much all this restructuring
will cost. The answer is mega bucks,” Chris Hipkins said.
“The government talks about creating a culture which is innovative and efficient, yet over the last three and a half
years we have seen more ministers appointed than ever. At the same time morale has plummeted across the state sector.
“It’s not exactly visionary leadership. We need a government that can take New Zealand forward, not apply a fresh coat
of paint.
“Simply moving things around doesn’t make for good policy and better outcomes for New Zealanders,” Chris Hipkins said.
ENDS