Some recent comments on Kiwiblog suggest that it might not be:
This saga, and the previous one involving DB-P have much deeper ramifications. MfE are clearly a part of the political arm, rather than public service arm of Government. How many other Departments have changed function under Labour? I suspect the answer is many. MSD, DOL, NZTE are increasingly becoming Government propaganda pieces. And are Treasury, MFAT and MED courageous enough to be providing free and frank advice to this Government??
Much as I hate the prospect, I am coming around to the view that we have moved to the American system through stealth. If this is true, then we are going to need the American solution when there is a change of Government - a complete spill of the senior ranks of Government Departments and agencies. Not all resignations need to be accepted, of course, but an incoming Government will not be able to function properly if the public service refuses to cooperate. Those that are Labour ideologues will need to go.
I am not saying that we are there yet, but this is looking a distinct possibility. Public service chiefs might like to do some reflecting on this. There is still time to prove that the public service is still independent. A good place to start would be Hugh Logan. He should resign and come clean about the extent to which he, and his Department has been forced by ministerial interference to become a political pawn. That way he will have some integrity left. If he doesn’t it looks to me that he is going to have to resign anyway, but there won’t be any integrity……………
Mark Says: November 28th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Indeed, it looks like Labour has been using more taxpayers money to do work for the Labour party.
Can’t say I am surprised.
Since we paid $10,000s of dollars for a couple of months work I wonder what is in the document(s).
gd Says: November 28th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Agree CharlotteM At least the US are upfront and transperant Not like here where we have a toadying civil servants fulll of arse lickers grovelling to their ministers frightened to death to act in an ethical and moral manner lest it gets them fired.
We need a Herculean cleanout of the stables with a high powered fire hose to wash the crap away.
PhilBest Says: November 28th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
I agree too, Charlotte M. Disagree as much as you might about the US system, at least you know where you stand with it. Labour pretty much has the same thing but are utterly dishonest about it, and it gets exposed too seldom by a compliant media.
