PSA MEDIA RELEASE
August 2, 2007
For Immediate Use

PSA Welcomes State Services Commissioner’s Investigation of Setchell Case

The PSA welcomes the State Services Commissioner’s investigation of the issues raised by the Madeleine Setchell case.

The Commissioner, Mark Prebble, announced today that he would look at the management of actual or perceived conflicts of interest and the duty to maintain a politically neutral public service, arising from the Setchell case.

Madeleine Setchell, lost her job as a head of communications at the Environment Ministry after three days. This was due to what was seen as a potential conflict of interest because her partner is the press secretary of National Party leader, John Key.

“We’re pleased the commissioner has recognised the need to establish how the Setchell case occurred,” says Brenda Pilott, National Secretary of the PSA, which has 55,000 members working in the state sector.

”We need to an learn from the mistakes made and ensure they are not repeated in the future,” says Brenda Pilott. “The union hopes that, as part of his investigation, the commissioner will be looking at the way his own commission handled the case.”

Brenda Pilott says the PSA has had many phone calls and emails from members of the union, and other senior public servants, concerned about the way the Setchell case was handled and the impact it may have on their employment in the public service in the future.

“We hope the commissioner’s report will help clarify what the requirements are for existing public servants, and people looking to join the public service, when they apply for a job in the state sector,” says Brenda Pilott.

“He also needs to clarify the rules regarding the declarations of possible conflicts of interest, for current and future public servants, concerning partners, family members and close friends who are politically active,” says Brenda Pilott.

ENDS

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