Chris Hipkins
Associate Education Spokesperson
28 November 2012
Nervous Nats block Parliamentary inquiry into Novopay
National’s decision to block a Select Committee inquiry into the Novopay debacle is as irresponsible as it is cowardly,
says Chris Hipkins.
Two weeks ago Labour’s Education spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta wrote to the chairperson of the Education and Science Select
Committee calling for a wide ranging inquiry into Novopay. But today the National Party MPs on the committee voted
against holding an inquiry.
“Novopay has been an utter shambles. Its introduction was delayed for two years and then when it was rolled-out there
were thousands of errors, several privacy and security breaches and the training and support for schools was completely
inadequate. The list of failings goes on and on.
“The Ministry of Education’s belated announcement of an independent review is welcome. But until further details are
made public about the terms of reference and who will conduct the review it is too early to say whether it will be
sufficient.
“Novopay has cost taxpayers $30-million dollars already. The public and the Parliament deserve to know what went wrong
and why.
“A select committee inquiry could have got to the bottom of the matter in an open and transparent way. What is National
trying to hide?
“Craig Foss and Hekia Parata have let down teachers, schools and parents with their negligence and poor oversight. It is
a shame their National Party colleagues on the Education and Science Select Committee are helping them cover-up for
their incompetence,” says Chris Hipkins.
ENDS