PSA says Jones ‘out of touch’
New Zealand’s public sector union is concerned about Shane Jones’ call for politicians to have more influence over the bureaucracy.
Jones hit out against the nation’s ‘‘treacle-riddled’’ public sector earlier this week, saying he wanted ministers to be able to bring in ‘‘their s...-kickers to get things done.’’
The Regional Economic Development minister said he would fight an election on this policy, which he knew was not Government policy or consistent with the State Services Act.
Public servants must act in a politically neutral way, and chief executives of public bodies are appointed by the State Services commissioner instead of government ministers.
Public Services Association heads Erin Polaczuk and Glenn Barclay said that Jones’ view on the public service was outdated, plus out of touch and out of order.
‘‘The meas- ures he suggests would undermine public servants’ constitutional role. They need to be free, frank and fearless - not controlled, cowed and cronyistic.
‘‘Our members do their jobs with commitment and integrity – despite increasing workloads, unending restructuring and a meaningless staffing cap.’’
The union bosses said the best way to get things moving faster would be to lift a cap on the core government service introduced by the National-led Government.
That cap was set at 36,475 fulltime workers in June of 2011. As of June 2017, the numbers were just below that cap at 36,378.
‘‘If Mr Jones is concerned about delays, then he needs to direct his considerable energies towards influencing the Government to lift the cap on public service staffing.’’
The PSA found an unlikely ally in the right-wing New Zealand Taxpayers Union.
‘‘Shane Jones is suggesting we abandon our Westminster-style independent public service and adopt a corrupt American-style political appointment model. It’s a recipe for unstable, crony, poor governance,’’ Taxpayers Union director Jordan Williams said.
Jones’ complaints have focused on the sluggishness of getting projects approved for his $1 billion Provincial Growth Fund.