Your final sentence is my fervent wish. “Before long, ordinary New Zealanders will demand radical reform, including reinstating direct accountability of public servants to democratically elected Government Ministers.”
Here’s hoping NZers catch on quickly. The blob is squandering our hard-earned wealth. What’s depressing is that the left are now the political representatives of the blob. Who cares about working people? Not them.
Once again John has penned a summary of what many of us are thinking.
When certain elements of our Public Service show traits that attract derision, we are no longer surprised; where in the private sector would we tolerate people who pay no price for being wrong?
The problem is exemplified by this recent case… incompetence is one thing, the wastage of public money is another, but deliberately misleading the Minister crosses a line for most of us.
A few hundred years ago we’d be gathering in the town square to watch heads landing in the basket, but now we watch helplessly as the bureaucratic club moves with precision to protect its own.
Why do i think that Hipkins is fully alert to this charade, and has sleepers in place in the PS still spending like its Covid2020?
Why, because any ministry that blames Covid for their failings are still WFH, in their jarmies and ugboots on the couch, producing compartmentalised sweetFA, on their exorbitant salaries watching NGO videos at morningtea and texting their karenmates that it wont be long now, we'll get Hipkins back in, cos Roach will protect us.
John that does not shock me anymore. So, on tally that is the PS party, TPM, the Media party, the Courts party, and the Teachers Party. Did I miss anyone?
We need more of your exposes please, and in-depth digest so we can put our thinking caps on as to how to fix this? It feels like a saboteur mindvirus that has swept our lands. Do we need an immunisation or an inquisition or a DOGE.
if we're going there let's add the LGNZ party, the Universities Inc Party.
No wonder Hipkins only media clips are *anti-policy counters*.
As Trotter puts it - Labour’s meaning is plain: “We are intending to win this election by default. Rash behaviour and rash statements should be avoided. Nothing must impede or distract the electorate from its growing determination to throw Luxon and his government out. So, say nothing. Do Nothing. Draw as little attention to yourselves as possible. If we can just muster the self-discipline to stand very still and wait, then we will be returned to power.”...
Yes, that says it all. I read somewhere that this behaviour we are witnessing (from the left) might be described as ‘market Stalinism’ - they value symbols of achievement over actual achievement.
If that is the case, then it is up to knock down their symbols of the negative-achievement and economic vandalism of this sect - as John is doing and others. I believe there are some plans in the wings to campaign on exactly this by the TPU et al.
My vote would be for John McLean to immediately replace Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche and appoint his own investigative team. Our Public Service has become a law unto its self.
Before I had completed reading the thread, Judge Mahon's cryptic comment came to mind.
Peters is probably closer to the mark with his comments. Certainly if we had an Elon Musk at the wheel both Blakeley and Roche would be gone. This needs to happen and an open enquiry needs to be held with both appearing as witnesses.
The way the Public Service handles itself and is governed in this country is a farce. Under the rules of engagement they are only responsible to themselves, hence the largess; which needs immediate radical reform by an incoming Govt, with all Govt Depts accountable to their governing minister, with the head of the Public Service taking overall responsibility, meaning his head would roll if any Dept stuffs up..
Haven't they also said they're going to get a replacement for the NEC system?
IMO there is NO WAY they should be able to repeat the processes that's been such an incredible disaster!
I'm not sure what the answer is, but perhaps an appropriately skilled tech system that will implement a replacement for a fixed price, with ability to over-ride additional "tailoring" changes that Immigration people say are essential.
It was more than 25 years ago that Larry Ellison (Oracle) said customers who acquire our systems need to change their processes (when necessary) to comply with our systems. Then something like we will not entertain individual customers wanting changes to what is our proven system.
A line from Catch -22 (Major Danby:) “Yossarian, they can prepare as many official reports as they want, and choose whichever ones they need on any given occasion”.
The answer is very simple; actual financial accountability. For any failed project make all the managers liable for the money wasted. The managers after all are making the decisions and demand large salaries for their actions. So if their actions are just funneling our money into someone else's cash cow (which of course they may be taking a kick back from) make them pay the full amount lost and their salary. You'd probably save huge sums on internal audit mandarins, and so many who claims to be doing checks and balances (who actually are just party to the obfuscation).
Why do we have such a large public service if they are all simply contracting out the services to the private sector? Especially so when these contacts fail so miserably for a decade on end.
Does anyone else think this has more than a whiff of the British Post Office scandal about it? I recall the lies told to the original parliamentary enquiry, and the sheer arrogance and contempt displayed by the hierarchy in that case. The clip from the select committee here speaks volumes by what is not said, and the lightheartedness displayed by Alison McDonald in some of her responses is contemptible - and punishable in my view. John, I agree that Mike Heron KC, a great guy and top lawyer, is not what is needed. This stuff needs to be seen for what it really is, and whether it exists in any other Government departments and needs to be flushed out. We need a Royal Commission with power to compel witness attendance to be given a wide brief and to let the light in.
Publicly expressing no confidence in Roche and appointing a credible dispassionate person to investigate what’s happened and who should be held accountable and punished would be a good start
Your final sentence is my fervent wish. “Before long, ordinary New Zealanders will demand radical reform, including reinstating direct accountability of public servants to democratically elected Government Ministers.”
Here’s hoping NZers catch on quickly. The blob is squandering our hard-earned wealth. What’s depressing is that the left are now the political representatives of the blob. Who cares about working people? Not them.
Accountability for $38M be dammed: Don't impede the Diversity Plus MBEI Waiata song bird lifestylers!
Once again John has penned a summary of what many of us are thinking.
When certain elements of our Public Service show traits that attract derision, we are no longer surprised; where in the private sector would we tolerate people who pay no price for being wrong?
The problem is exemplified by this recent case… incompetence is one thing, the wastage of public money is another, but deliberately misleading the Minister crosses a line for most of us.
A few hundred years ago we’d be gathering in the town square to watch heads landing in the basket, but now we watch helplessly as the bureaucratic club moves with precision to protect its own.
‘Consequences’ is MIA.
Nice work old friend!
Too kind Conway!
Why do i think that Hipkins is fully alert to this charade, and has sleepers in place in the PS still spending like its Covid2020?
Why, because any ministry that blames Covid for their failings are still WFH, in their jarmies and ugboots on the couch, producing compartmentalised sweetFA, on their exorbitant salaries watching NGO videos at morningtea and texting their karenmates that it wont be long now, we'll get Hipkins back in, cos Roach will protect us.
There are distinct signs that Labour is working behind the scenes with the public “service” to subvert and derail the current Government
John that does not shock me anymore. So, on tally that is the PS party, TPM, the Media party, the Courts party, and the Teachers Party. Did I miss anyone?
We need more of your exposes please, and in-depth digest so we can put our thinking caps on as to how to fix this? It feels like a saboteur mindvirus that has swept our lands. Do we need an immunisation or an inquisition or a DOGE.
You can add in the CTU as well.
Thanks Barry, of course.
if we're going there let's add the LGNZ party, the Universities Inc Party.
No wonder Hipkins only media clips are *anti-policy counters*.
As Trotter puts it - Labour’s meaning is plain: “We are intending to win this election by default. Rash behaviour and rash statements should be avoided. Nothing must impede or distract the electorate from its growing determination to throw Luxon and his government out. So, say nothing. Do Nothing. Draw as little attention to yourselves as possible. If we can just muster the self-discipline to stand very still and wait, then we will be returned to power.”...
Yes, that says it all. I read somewhere that this behaviour we are witnessing (from the left) might be described as ‘market Stalinism’ - they value symbols of achievement over actual achievement.
Sounds about right.
If that is the case, then it is up to knock down their symbols of the negative-achievement and economic vandalism of this sect - as John is doing and others. I believe there are some plans in the wings to campaign on exactly this by the TPU et al.
My vote would be for John McLean to immediately replace Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche and appoint his own investigative team. Our Public Service has become a law unto its self.
Let’s all vote to abolish the Public Service Commissioner role entirely Deb!
The last thing we want is to have Cock Roche undertake the review. His track record shows were his loyalties lie. Garry Larsen
Before I had completed reading the thread, Judge Mahon's cryptic comment came to mind.
Peters is probably closer to the mark with his comments. Certainly if we had an Elon Musk at the wheel both Blakeley and Roche would be gone. This needs to happen and an open enquiry needs to be held with both appearing as witnesses.
The way the Public Service handles itself and is governed in this country is a farce. Under the rules of engagement they are only responsible to themselves, hence the largess; which needs immediate radical reform by an incoming Govt, with all Govt Depts accountable to their governing minister, with the head of the Public Service taking overall responsibility, meaning his head would roll if any Dept stuffs up..
This is nothing more than blatant corruption with a capital C.
Haven't they also said they're going to get a replacement for the NEC system?
IMO there is NO WAY they should be able to repeat the processes that's been such an incredible disaster!
I'm not sure what the answer is, but perhaps an appropriately skilled tech system that will implement a replacement for a fixed price, with ability to over-ride additional "tailoring" changes that Immigration people say are essential.
It was more than 25 years ago that Larry Ellison (Oracle) said customers who acquire our systems need to change their processes (when necessary) to comply with our systems. Then something like we will not entertain individual customers wanting changes to what is our proven system.
A line from Catch -22 (Major Danby:) “Yossarian, they can prepare as many official reports as they want, and choose whichever ones they need on any given occasion”.
Sickening!
The answer is very simple; actual financial accountability. For any failed project make all the managers liable for the money wasted. The managers after all are making the decisions and demand large salaries for their actions. So if their actions are just funneling our money into someone else's cash cow (which of course they may be taking a kick back from) make them pay the full amount lost and their salary. You'd probably save huge sums on internal audit mandarins, and so many who claims to be doing checks and balances (who actually are just party to the obfuscation).
Why do we have such a large public service if they are all simply contracting out the services to the private sector? Especially so when these contacts fail so miserably for a decade on end.
Does anyone else think this has more than a whiff of the British Post Office scandal about it? I recall the lies told to the original parliamentary enquiry, and the sheer arrogance and contempt displayed by the hierarchy in that case. The clip from the select committee here speaks volumes by what is not said, and the lightheartedness displayed by Alison McDonald in some of her responses is contemptible - and punishable in my view. John, I agree that Mike Heron KC, a great guy and top lawyer, is not what is needed. This stuff needs to be seen for what it really is, and whether it exists in any other Government departments and needs to be flushed out. We need a Royal Commission with power to compel witness attendance to be given a wide brief and to let the light in.
Absolutely essential that when Ministers pull the levers of Power stuff happens. I'll bet things happen in Foreign Affairs and MFAT.........
Publicly expressing no confidence in Roche and appointing a credible dispassionate person to investigate what’s happened and who should be held accountable and punished would be a good start