Grant Robertson - Wellington Central

Archive Page 4

Abandoning the Provinces (again)

September 9th, 2011

The National led government released its latest public service staff statistics yesterday. They show that they have overseen almost 2,400 Kiwis losing their jobs since 2008. That is thousands of families with people who make the money to put food on the table out of work. Things really are starting to follow the 1990s pattern- the gutting of the public sector, followed by the decline in services and confidence from the public, followed by the hiring of consultants and contractors to fill the gaps…

The figures announced today do not cover the full impact most recent jobs losses announced for DOC and the IRD. In both cases its not the people I look after in Wellington Central bearing the brunt, it is the provinces. Wanganui, Rotorua, Napier, Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth. Did someone say “frontline services”.

Two stories related to this came my way today. The first from the Daily News in New Plymouth who quoted one of the staff saying that they had been warned that if they talked publicly about the job losses they would go even quicker.

“They told us there was to be absolutely no discussion of anything to the media. If anyone spoke to the media it could be a code of conduct issue,” an employee told the Taranaki Daily News on condition of anonymity. Penalties for breaching the code of conduct could include being sacked, they said.

The worker also said something that will be familiar to many in the public service. He said “morale was in tatters”. It is, in almost every government agency I speak to- and the end result of that is poorer services for us all.

Meanwhile over in Whanganui they are facing the effect of the cuts to the Department of Conservation, the latest in a line of cuts including to NZTA, child advocacy services and the baliffs. I got a note passed on to me from a local teacher who said

I feel awful today as I hear from children I teach that their their families will be shifting out of Wanganui because of the cutbacks and the gutting of the local DOC office.which once served the region from Taranaki to the Manawatu and over the Ruahines. Going are the scientists, an engineer, cartographers and other skilled workers whose children have been really special to teach.

This is one aspect of the abandoning of provinicial New Zealand, the breakdown of communities. Another is the loss of health services in places like Temuka and Rangiora. John Pagani has written a good blog on another aspect of it. The absence of any real focused regional development from this government that will give people a sense that there are jobs and a future for them and their town. I think we owe these towns that have been the backbone of our country some support and some hope.

Posted in Provincial New Zealand, Public Services and Job Losses. | 0 Comments

Dear Canterbury…

September 4th, 2011

None of us from outside your proud province can really know what it has been like for the past year. We can visit, as I have, and see the twisted buildings, the cratered roads, the empty houses. We can even see the signs of the physical and mental scars that you now have. But we can’t feel the pain, the loss, the frustration or indeed even the thousands of reminders that the shakey ground has given you.

What we do know is that many of your lives have changed forever. Be it loved ones lost, neighbourhoods broken up, precious memories gone or property and possessions ruined.

We also know that your spirit and determination has shown through. You have looked after each other, and worked hard to adjust to that “new normal”. You are re-building, homes, offices, neighbourhoods, communities- literally your lives.

To my Canterbury Parliamentary colleagues, of all parties, we know that you have all worked hard to serve your people. It is hard enough to deal with the damange and destruction of your own lives, families and friends, but to also be there for everyone else is a huge strain. I salute you for your courage and fortitutde. As I do all those whose job it is to rebuild your region.

Life has changed from where it was in the early hours of the 4th of September 2010. But what has not changed is the commitment of the rest of New Zealand to help you rebuild. There will be conflict and debate and frustration as that process continues, but I also want you to know that our small and connected nation will do its best to be beside you every step of the way.

Posted in Canterbury, Earthquake and EQNZ. | 0 Comments

In praise of… the ’school secretary’

September 2nd, 2011

Actually the title of this post is wrong. The person we used to call “the secretary” at our local school is now rightly given other titles such as Office Administrator or School Administrator. But even those don’t capture the role that they play in the running of schools and the well-being of the staff and students.

This morning I attended the farewell for Anne Young the long time Office Administrator at Cardinal McKeefry School in Wellington. Anne has been the friendly welcoming face of the school for many years, and right from when I met her I always felt welcomed and included when I visited the school. As I looked around the room at her farewell today I saw all kind of representatives from the community for whom Anne is their window to the school- from the bank, the contractors, other schools, parents, staff and of course the kids.

A couple of years ago when NZEI were running their support staff pay campaign I listened to some administrators detail the scope of their work. It was vast, but they all seemed to know that the ultimate reason for them being at work was the kids. At every school I visit the office staff have a great feel for the schools and the needs of children. I have observed them playing the role of counsellor, mentor, friend, shoulder to cry on and general supporters of a range of kids. They know them, keep an eye on them and notice all the ups and downs.

Schools simply could not run without the likes of Anne. From making sure the bills get paid to making sure the kids are looked after, they are a key part of our school communities. The jobs do not pay anything like what they should, so I thank them all for their service. All the best to Anne in her retirement, but also to all the school secretaries/administrators/whatever you are called, thank you for what you do.

Posted in Schools, Education and Wellington. | 0 Comments

Asset Sales- “Political Ploy”

August 31st, 2011

Interesting developments in the National Party’s attempt to dress up their asset sales policies. Bill English must be concerned, when even Don Brash can see through today’s announcement about a cap on private shareholdings and call it a “political ploy”.

National is obviously worried about the public reaction to the sales. There is a real sense of desperation to appear as if something can be done to the policy to magically see assets stay in New Zealand hands, The truth is that today’s announcement does nothing to actually stop assets ending up outside of New Zealand control, raises the prospect that the price of shares will be beyond so-called Mum and Dad investors and really just puts five companies in a strong position when the inevitable further sell downs take place.

There is one way to ensure that New Zealanders stay at the front of the queue of ownership of state assets that earned us all $900 million last year. Keep them in public ownership as they are now, so we all are at the front of the queue.

Posted in Asset sales and Bill English. | 0 Comments

There is more to health than a league table

August 29th, 2011

The conventional wisdom is that Tony Ryall is making a good fist of the Health portfolio. Now that I am up close in the area I can say that he keeps a tight rein on matters health, and is managing the portfolio effectively. But there is a big difference between managing the politics of health and actually doing what is right for the long term health outcomes of New Zealanders.

The best evidence of that is the release today of the Child Health Monitor Report. It shows, among other things, that in the last two years there have been an additional 5 000 avoidable hospital admissions for things like respiratory illness and skin infections. The authors of the report note that the cost of going to the doctor, especially after hours is a factor in whether children are getting the healthcare they need, along with a range factors associated with child poverty.

I am not saying all of this is down to the Health policy of the current government. But the focus on the narrow range of health targets set by the Minister means that child health is not the priority it should be. The Minister has narrowed the health targets in such a way as to scratch the itches of waiting lists and time spent in ED, but it is at the expense of early intervention and public health programmes. District Health Boards have responded by pursuing the Minister’s targets, spending on public health has been slashed ($124 million in the last Budget) and funding for primary care has failed to keep up with inflation.

Just managing the Health portfolio is not enough. I actually think it is irresponsible to avoid the long term investments that will lead to long term health benefits in favour of things that are designed to fit on a coloured chart and make the Minister look good.

Labour, through Annette King, has already outlined our Agenda for Children that will put children’s well being at the centre of our social policy. More details will be announced in the election, but from a health policy point of view public health and affordable and accessible primary care must be a priority.

Posted in Children's Health, Public Heath, Tony Ryall and Inequality. | 0 Comments