PSA MEDIA RELEASE
January 25, 2008
For Immediate Use
PSA Acknowledges Mark Prebble’s Commitment to the Public Service
The PSA regrets the resignation of Mark Prebble as State Services Commissioner.
“While we did not always agree with Dr Prebble, we appreciate the fact that he was always willing to talk and engage
with the union on issues that arose,” says PSA National Secretary Brenda Pilott.
“We also acknowledge his long and distinguished career in the public service.”
Mark Prebble began his working life as an alpine guide and mountaineering instructor at Mt Cook. He went on to work at
the Department of Labour and to serve as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, chief executive of the Prime Minister’s
Department and as State Services Commissioner since May 2004.
“We applaud the commitment and dedication he has shown to serving his fellow New Zealanders throughout his distinguished
career in the public service,” says Brenda Pilott
Earlier in his public service career Mark Prebble was also an active member of the PSA, serving as a delegate and a
member of the union’s policy council.
“We note the pride Dr Prebble has always shown in his membership of the PSA and the work he did as a delegate and on the
union’s policy council,” says Brenda Pilott.
“We appreciate the positive working relationship he has maintained with the union as his career progressed to the top
management job in the public service.”
“It is for these reasons that we regret Dr Prebble’s resignation as State Services Commissioner.”
“We have been aware that he has been considering ending his work as State Services Commissioner and that health issues
have played a part in that decision.”
“We wish him well in the next phase of his working life and we hope that he will play a role in the public service in
the future,” says Brenda Pilott.
She says the PSA is pleased to see that arrangements are being made to have a new State Services Commissioner appointed
well before the general election.
“It’s good to see we won’t have an extended period in which the Commission is run by an acting commissioner,” says
Brenda Pilott.
“That creates uncertainty and that’s not in the best interests of the public service in an election year.”
ENDS