Report on selection process for Clare Curran

Environment Minister Trevor Mallard today released a briefing by the State Services Commission that looks at the advice given to him on the selection process for Clare Curran to a short term communications role in the Ministry for the Environment in 2006.

The briefing clarifies the selection process for the contract with Clare Curran and finds that the Minister for the Environment was given factually inaccurate advice last week on the issue – for which Mr Logan has now apologised. (See attached letter).

The main points of the briefing by deputy State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie are:

"While my Hansard to the House on Thursday was technically accurate, in that I told the House I had been "advised" that three quotes were sought, it is important to clear up the situation," Trevor Mallard said.

Trevor Mallard also corrected media reports that wrongly claimed Ms Curran was hired to replace Madeleine Setchell.

Ms Curran worked for the Ministry for the Environment from May 22 to July 28 2006 on a $29,400 contract to provide a communications plan and strategies, stakeholder and media engagement and information resource development for the climate change policy. Ms Setchell was hired in 2007.

To clarify other incorrect media reports, Hugh Logan was not employed at the Ministry for the Environment when Ms Curran was hired.

ENDS

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