Whilst in relation to suspicions about the appointment of relatives of Foreign Affairs and Local Government Minister Nania Mahuta’s to several government positions the gender roles are reversed the principle remains the same, there must be no suggestion of corruption, nepotism, or favouritism in an administration lest that suggestion damage public faith and trust in those in power.
But so far Labour is failing to adhere to the old Roman rules.
To sidestep any suggestion of nepotism in the appointment of her sister Tipa Mahuta to a role on a Maori Governance Group dealing with Three Waters Minister Mahuta took the most unusual step of standing down from her role as Minister for Maori Development so cabinet colleague Kelvin Davis would be the Minister making the appointment then resuming the role once her sister had been confirmed.
Any reasonable person would see that as the facilitation of a conflict of interest rather than an attempt to avoid one.
And it was it was done with the express approval of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Information released under the Official Information Act shows Jacinda Ardern “agreed to the transfer before it was put in place”.
So essentially the PM said yes to the political shell game that allowed a member of her cabinet to appoint her sister to a paid government position without anyone else being considered for the role.
And while there is information about why Jacinda Adern approved this act of deception she doesn’t want to reveal it.
The leader of what we were promised would be the most transparent government ever is essentially hiding behind the Secretary to Cabinet, Michael Webster who says in response to the OIA request,
Any reasonable person would see that as the facilitation of a conflict of interest rather than an attempt to avoid one.
And it was it was done with the express approval of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Information released under the Official Information Act shows Jacinda Ardern “agreed to the transfer before it was put in place”.
So essentially the PM said yes to the political shell game that allowed a member of her cabinet to appoint her sister to a paid government position without anyone else being considered for the role.
And while there is information about why Jacinda Adern approved this act of deception she doesn’t want to reveal it.
The leader of what we were promised would be the most transparent government ever is essentially hiding behind the Secretary to Cabinet, Michael Webster who says in response to the OIA request,
“The Cabinet Office holds information that falls within the scope of this request. I am however withholding this information under the following sections of the OIA…..to maintain the constitutional conventions for the time being which protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials.”
In other words, we’ve found some workaround to cover up the workaround that covered up the conflict of interest in the first place.
All this would be laughable if the principles at issue were not so important.
Caeser’s wife clearly is not above suspicion and Caesar himself now seems embroiled in a questionable chain of events that only full disclosure or a truly independent inquiry can put to rest.
Sean Plunket is the founding editor of The Platform and an award-winning veteran broadcaster and television presenter. This article was originally published by ThePlatform.kiwi and is published here with kind permission.
8 comments:
Very diplomatic Sean.
But let's call this for what it is - a cover up!
They've got their hands dirty and the shit just won't wash off, no matter how many other shitty ministers get pulled in to try and make the problem go away.
The sad thing is that someone so stupid, that they thought they could get away with doling out jobs to their siblings etc, is appointed our Foreign Affairs AND Local Government Minister.
How embarrassing for us all, but especially for our Labour government who are shown to be bereft of any talent whatsoever.
Little Miss-information, fresh from her feted tour of Europe and the UK is back to reality trying to keep all the tottering plates spinning, representing the web of deceit and incompetence that is the foundation of our dreadful government.
She must be planning her next overseas trip already! Nobody here likes her much....and that's a gross understatement.
Quite simply, it's corrupt, and all concerned ought not to be holding their appointed offices, as they have lost the trust of those that empowered them to hold such office. All the inquiry in the world is not going to allay the suspicions and if they could not see that coming, then they are surely inept and should not be holding office for that reason alone. Any inquiry ought to disclose where these roles were advertised and how many applicants applied and what was their general calibre. Willie Jackson may claim it's a small country, but it ain't that small and if it is, finding the previously mentioned information should take but a moment. Any familial appointment should be a matter of absolute last resort and only after very extensive advertising and candidate review, where the familial appointee must stand out head and shoulders above the next best. If there we very few candidates, then the net needed to have been cast wider, period.
"Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters."
Albert Einstein
Sadly this Government (or is it now a regime) has destroyed its ability to govern and they can never rebuild what trust they ever had. Arderns brand will be damaged for ever from this.
At least John Key did the right thing and stood down Judith Collins when a potential conflict of interest situation arose. Now of course, it's the age of the 'great reset' and all protocols are off the table. Corrupt, evil bastards.
Why are ‘we’ surprised about what we see as corruption - this is colonisation ideology at it worst - IWI are autocratic always have been and always will be, so what we see as corruption will become business as usual, so get used to it or embrace it (for your mental health wellbeing) as this is only the start of the new order.
Stop worrying. Jacinda has always had her sights on the big stage. Now she has made as many contacts as she can and built up her CV she will resign when Labour is voted out of office and head for the big time. Her ambition is greater than what this tiny country has to offer. UN here she comes.
....and around 40% of the Tauranga electorate at the recent by-election thought that this sort of corruption is acceptable. Opposition parties have a lot of ammunition. Hopefully they use is effectively next year. I wont hold my breath.
Graham
@ Don, the question for the last few years was when Jacinda had lobbied enough for the UN post she would hand over the PM post to Mahuta or the leader position a few months out from the election. I think that time has passed due to the cogovernance rubbish that has annoyed the voters beyond an acceptable level.
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