Heat’s on Key to shift minister out of education to desk with cooler climate
was an employment matter in which she is deeply implicated that could cost taxpayers up to $500,000.
Understandably, Parata would like the finger of blame pointed elsewhere for the string of cockups and public relations disasters in her portfolio this year.
But Parata also sacked her senior private secretary – essentially the chief executive in her ministerial office – just days before Longstone fell on her sword.
It reminds you of the off-key singer who says the rest of the choir is out of tune.
State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie came as close as he could to blaming Parata. Longstone was, he said, dedicated and competent. He would hire her again. Yes, tensions between state sector mandarins and ministers were common – they came with the territory. But when they were made public – such as when Corrections Minister Judith Collins refused to express confidence in Barry Matthews – they could be managed without blood-letting.
Key will have to take those questions about Parata’s management style – and her political nous – into account as he mulls her future. He will not want to let go a female minister with strong links in Maoridom – two areas where National isn’t spoiled for choice. She is also wellconnected in the party, as is husband Sir Wira Gardiner. Key and his deputy Bill English have both been mentors of Parata.
But the arguments for moving
It reminds you of the off-key singer who says the rest of the choir is out of tune.
her out of education are far more compelling than for keeping her there. The problems this year have not simply been ‘‘operational’’ ones that can be laid at Longstone’s feet. Ministers bring their oversight, and need to have their political antennas attuned to risk and the public mood. Problems stemming from plans to increase class sizes, close Christchurch schools or have Novopay ‘‘go-live’’ too soon might have been detected by a minister who asked the right questions.
Nor is the public in a forgiving mood when it comes to Parata.
A surprising number of comments in the latest FairfaxIpsos poll singled her out for criticism. Of course Key could tough it out, but with the polls on a knife-edge he will not want to gamble too much political capital on further angering Christchurch, teachers or parents.
That’s not to say he should eject her from the Cabinet. A crab-wise move into less fraught areas – local government and labour will be reallocated soon – may be the sensible way to let the air out of her career. But who then for the education portfolio?
Key, English, Tony Ryall, Steven Joyce or even a rehabilitated Nick Smith could all do the job.
But Attorney-General and Treaty Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson has the most under-employed safe pair of hands in the Cabinet.