PSA Press Release
March 12, 2004
One bad apple
The dishonest actions of one person should not in any way influence the way New Zealanders view the integrity and
honesty of the other thousands of hardworking public servants, PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said today.
Richard Wagstaff was speaking after the sentencing today of former Ministry of Social Development employee, Lisa
Clement.
“The PSA represents over 42,000 public servants who work hard every day in the interests of New Zealanders. This
individual extreme case of fraud by one bad apple must not detract from the efforts of the overwhelming majority of
public servants who are meticulously honest.”
He says incidents like this are rare in the New Zealand public service but nevertheless unsettling for members on the
frontline who bear the brunt of public concerns.
“PSA delegates and management at MSD will be working together to ensure that staff have access to any support and
information they need at this difficult time.
“The PSA is as anxious as anyone to ensure that this sort of fraud can never be repeated. At the same time we are
naturally concerned to ensure that the response to this aberration does not result in a more difficult and stressful
work environment for our members.”
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