Gordon Campbell has already posted on the strange credibility gap between Murray McCully’s nasty speech announcing the changes to NZAID and the Cabinet papers that made the decisions. It looks like McCully could not quite get the Cabinet paper he wanted because the facts and evidence did not stack up, but this has not stopped his true views shining through in the speech. Word coming out of NZAID is that in the wake of the speech staff morale is at an all time low. The speech is regarded as an assault on the professionalism and credibility of staff or as McCully so kindly referred to them in the speech “ faceless, unelected, unaccountable, aid bureaucrats“. This from a National Party who promised to respect and ‘de-politicise’ the public sector?. Any hope that McCully might have come round to the value of NZAID’s work and mission has faded fast.

Alongside McCully’s attack on NZAID itself, his barbs at the ‘self interested‘ aid community has NGOs furious. Their public response has been muted, but that is hardly surprising is it? They know they have to work with him over the next couple of years. This is, of course, the very point of the criticism of the McCully plan. If you politicise the giving of aid, those who rely on the support will feel the need to play the game.

But concern about the McCully plan is widespread. I hosted a group of church leaders for breakfast on Friday, and a number of them expressed deep concern about the impact of the changes on New Zealand’s aid programme, and our international credibility. I think National will live to regret Murray’s strange personal crusade, whatever it actually may be.