Top adviser to lead inquiry into spying
"Our job is to ensure that the inquiry gets to the bottom of the allegations made and establishes the facts of the case." State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes
The State Services Commission has announced one of New Zealand’s ‘‘most experienced and respected advisers’’ will lead an investigation into Crown-owned insurer Southern Response and its private investigators.
Earlier this month, State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes announced the commission was launching an inquiry into the claims management company, to look at whether its ‘‘use of a security contractor’’ breached integrity and standards.
In 2015, Southern Response hired private investigator Gavin Clark and contacted police over concerns about disgruntled earthquake insurance claimant Cameron Preston, who they feared could trigger another ‘‘Ashburton Winz incident’’, referencing the killing of two Work and Income staff in the Canterbury town in 2014.
On Friday, Hughes announced former deputy state services commissioner Doug Martin would investigate whether Southern Response and its security contractor Thompson and Clark breached the State Services standards of integrity and conduct. Hughes said the allegations raised serious questions about the conduct and integrity of a contractor hired by a Crown company. The commission’s inquiry would look at concerns about the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE’S) use of Thompson and Clark.
Martin was in 2013 headhunted to become Crown manager of the Christchurch City Council after it lost building consent accreditation. His fee was $2000 a day to oversee the council’s building consenting functions and ensure it regained its accreditation.
Hughes said Martin is one of the country’s most experienced and respected advisers on improving the performance of public-sector agencies.
Martin was one of the main developers of the State Sector Act 1988 and played a major role implementing the public management model in the act.
The inquiry would scrutinise MBIE’S use of Thompson and Clark, Hughes confirmed.
‘‘I have asked Mr Martin to consider whether the issues around MBIE’S use of Thompson and Clark and other security consultants should be included in the terms of reference,’’ he said. ‘‘Separate to the inquiry, I am also looking more broadly at the use of private investigators by state services agencies to assure myself that they are being used in ways that are consistent with the requirements of the State Services code of conduct and that the behaviour of the investigators themselves also meets those standards.’’
Hughes said he had asked for an interim report as soon as possible.
Current Southern Response chief executive Anthony Honeybone contacted Hughes after the inquiry was announced to tell him the insurer’s staff had received threats and were concerned for their personal safety. ‘‘Our job is to ensure that the inquiry gets to the bottom of the allegations made and establishes the facts of the case,’’ Hughes said.
‘‘However, it is completely unacceptable for state servants to be subjected to threats and abuse simply for doing their job. All state servants deserve to work in a safe environment.
‘‘I will not tolerate threats, abuse or violence directed at state servants. I expect all government agencies to operate a zero tolerance approach to any such behaviour including referring it to the police if necessary,’’ Hughes said.
Martin will investigate and report on the circumstances, reasons and outcome of Southern Response’s engagement of external security consultants, including but not limited to Thompson and Clark. The inquiry will use the functions and powers under the State Sector Act 1988, which grants powers of inquiry to the State Services Commissioner or their delegate.
This included the power to require the production of any records, files or other information and the power to require government employees to answer questions and enter government premises.