Labour health spokesperson Grant RobertsonWednesday 14 September 2011, 12:24PM
Media release from Labour health spokesperson Grant
Robertson
While Health Minister Tony Ryall may have sought advice from the
State Services Commissioner regarding the Ministry of Health hiring
Mervyn English and Paul McCormack from the State Services
Commissioner, it should not be an excuse to sweep the issue under
the carpet, Labour Health spokesperson Grant Robertson says.
"Under questioning in Parliament yesterday the Minister
acknowledged he has referred the employment of Mr English and Mr
McCormack to the State Services Commissioner.
"There are clearly questions that need to be answered as to whether
correct employment procedures have been followed, particularly in
the case of Mr English," Grant Robertson said.
"In the circumstances most people would rightly query why the job
had not been advertised. There is also no indication of why it is
being described as a fixed term contract when the role is clearly
an on-going one.
"It is imperative the State Services Commissioner completes
his investigation as soon as possible. Forwarding it to the
Commissioner will help answer these questions, but should not be an
excuse to sweep the issue under the carpet until after the
election.
"Tony Ryall only acted on this matter because it gained
attention in the media. He will have been aware that Mr English and
Mr McCormack had taken up their roles, but did not see it as a
problem until now. He needs to explain fully how much he knew about
these appointments. "
"There is also the question of the cost of these
appointments. The Ministry of Health has lost large numbers of
staff in recent times. Many of those remaining will be covering for
other, vacant positions as well as their own, and undoubtedly
wondering just how much money is being spent on short term
contractors and consultants.
"This is a repeat of the 1990s when the National Government
gutted the public service and hired expensive consultants and
contractors to fill the gaps. The end result was a loss of
institutional memory and continuity, and a resulting decline in
services," Grant Robertson said