Commissioner supports Boyle

WELLINGTON: The State Services Commissioner is supporting welfare chief Brendan Boyle after an authority ruled his agency repeatedly acted unlawfully by using fake names on documents.

However, the lawyer for the woman at the centre of the case says Mr Boyle should be investigated and possibly removed from his position.

A Social Security Appeal Authority decision on Wednesday revealed the Ministry of Social Development has been using pseudonyms during clients’ benefit reviews, a practice the authority labelled ‘‘repugnant to the most fundamental concept of justice’’.

The decision was also referred to the Solicitorgeneral for consideration.

The ministry argued it only used fake names for clients it considered a risk, and it was necessary to protect workers.

Commissioner Peter Hughes, the head of the public service, said yesterday he ‘‘totally supported’’ Mr Boyle in his efforts to keep staff safe.

‘‘Unfortunately threats, abuse and even violence towards MSD staff is a daily reality in our country.’’

Twelve staff were assaulted, there were 468 serious and critical security incidents and 242 threats were made in 2016, which he said was ‘‘completely unacceptable’’.

‘‘Mr Boyle has advised me that he is reviewing the legality of pseudonyms. That is the right thing for him to do.’’

The decision arose in the case of Taranaki beneficiary Sonja Marie Lawson who appealed her case from the ministry’s internal review body, the Benefits Review Committee, to the Social Security Appeal Authority last year.

The authority became aware the names and signatures on the decision documents it was dealing with from the committee were false.

It said it was extremely concerned because it had previously warned Boyle that the use of fake names was unlawful.

At that time Mr Boyle gave an undertaking the practice would stop, the authority said. However, it had not. Ms Lawson’s lawyer Tony Ellis wrote to Mr Hughes yesterday, saying it was appropriate the State Services Commissioner investigated.

He said it was ‘‘alarming’’ Mr Boyle said the ministry was considering its legal position in relation to the decision.

He said he took the authority’s decision extremely seriously. — NZME