MFAT inquiry report shows true cost of public sector cuts

The Ombudsman’s report into Paula Rebstock’s inquiry shows that the Government spent taxpayer money on a politically motivated attacks to distract attention from drastic public sector cuts, the Green Party said today.

Ombudsman Ron Paterson today found that the expensive inquiry by the State Services Commission and Paula Rebstock into Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) leaks was poorly carried out and disparaged senior diplomats who were not responsible for the leaks.

“This is further evidence that Paula Rebstock is being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to pursue the Government’s agenda at the expense of justice, fairness and good process,” said Green Party global affairs spokesperson Kennedy Graham.

“Taxpayers should not have to fork out half a million dollars for an ill-conceived smear campaign and then pay for compensation to individuals who were unfairly targeted.

“This fiasco began with Murray McCully’s poorly managed change programme at MFAT and has spiralled out of control since then.

“Reforms at MFAT were justified on the basis of cost-cutting, but the climate of suspicion that the investigation created and the ballooning costs have undermined this rationale.

“Ian Rennie claims that his inquiry was necessary to ensure that public servants will behave with the highest levels of integrity, but his conduct and the conduct of Paula Rebstock falls far short of those standards.

“Today’s findings by the Ombudsman confirm that public servants and taxpayers deserve better from this Government and its ministers,” said Dr Graham.

Volunteer

The Greens are proud to be driven by passionate people like you. Today we need your help to take action on the biggest issues facing Aotearoa. Volu...

Action

Save Auckland's Climate Budget

Sign the petition to stop Mayor Wayne Brown's proposal for dangerous cuts to climate and environmental programmes that protect us from extreme weat...

Action

No New Mines 2023

Action

Expand Voting

Now more than ever, young people in Aotearoa are impacted by Government decisions, and they deserve to have a say. We are calling on all Members of...

Action

End Intensive Winter Grazing

Sign the petition to Labour Ministers, to move faster in bringing regulations into force and end intensive winter grazing.

Action

Trains for Climate

Add your name to our open letter urging the Minister for Finance Grant Robertson to save our passenger trains between Wellington, the Wairarapa and...

Action

Healthy Oceans 2022

Join our Healthy Oceans Crew to help us keep the health and protection of our oceans high on the Labour Government’s political agenda.

Action

It's time: A Ministry for Rainbow Communities

Join our call asking the Prime Minister to establish a Ministry for Rainbow Communities that can champion Rainbow issues.

Action

No new mines on conservation land

Sign the open letter asking Labour Ministers to stick to their promise of banning new mining projects on conservation land.

Action

Allow community ownership of our buses

Public transport is an essential service and helps to tackle the climate crisis by reducing our carbon emissions. But there are barriers to communi...

Action

Local Events

We have activists across Aotearoa / New Zealand who are working hard to build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids. This page lists upcomin...

Latest Foreign Affairs Announcements

Story

Green Party statement on the violence in Israel and Gaza

The Green Party is deeply concerned about the unprecedented escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza.

Stronger action needed to stop Iran regime violence

Stronger action consistent with New Zealand’s commitment to freedom, justice, and equality is needed to hold those responsible for violence and hum...

Political parties call for action on Iran

Parties from across Parliament have come together to call on the Government to take decisive action to hold those responsible for violence and huma...

Greens call for sanctions on Iranian regime

The Green Party is calling for Aotearoa New Zealand to follow the EU, UK, and Canada by imposing sanctions and restrictions on the organisations an...

Green Party applauds strength of Iranian protestors and communities

The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand applauds the strength of Iranian protestors and the communities supporting them in Iran and around the worl...

At-risk Afghans evacuated to Aotearoa must be reunited with family

One year on from the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, the Green Party is calling on the Government to do more to support our most at-risk evacuees.