The number of communications staff working in the core public service has tipped over the 500 mark, an increase of more than 50 percent since Labour took office.
The data, collated by National, and verified by RNZ, showed there were 532.4 fulltime equivalent staff and contractors working in 32 different departments within the core public service (the data does not include Crown entities such as Te Whatu Ora or Waka Kotahi, or departments in the executive branch like the Defence Force or police).
The figures come from responses submitted by the different departments to select committee questions over their 2021-22 Annual Reviews. While the reviews covered the year ended 30 June, the responses were given in February and March of this year.
The 7.5 percent increase between 2020-21 and 2021-22 happened despite new guidance from the Public Service Commission over how to record communications staff.
National’s public service spokesperson Simeon Brown accused the government of trying to reduce the numbers through changing the definition, but still overseeing a “bloated bureaucracy.”
“The numbers have gone up, because this government has not got control of its public service. In terms of the number of staff, it just continues to blow out of control.”
RNZ
Spin, baby, spin. This is proof of Labour’s inability to govern without helping to massage (lie about) the messaging.
I’m starting to think that a good old-fashioned Roman decimation of spin doctors might be appropriate; then decimate them again, and again and again.
Same goes for other state sector jobs. The first tranche should be all those staff who haven’t set foot in the office for five consecutive days or are still working from home because… Covid!
That’d destroy most government departments in Wellington.
The government now has more spin doctors than the Army has Lance Corporals or nearly as many as the Army has Corporals and more spin doctors than the Army has officers below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
The only things this government does well are make announcements about announcements and spend money like a drunken sailor.
The sad thing is, a National-led government is unlikely to cut the number of communications staff at all.
All that will happen is a shuffling around of where they are sitting.
Never before has “drain the swamp” been more relevant than it is now.
Cam Slater is a New Zealand-based blogger, best known for his role in Dirty Politics and publishing the Whale Oil Beef Hooked blog, which operated from 2005 until it closed in 2019. This article was first published HERE
6 comments:
Swamps, politicians, bogged, drowning. Don't drain it just yet.
MC
If they need that many communications staff in ministrys and government departments, it is obvious that the bureaucrats and politicians do not know what they are supposed to be doing. But then we already knew that.
Cam, I would love to see the action of "drain the swamp" occur, but sadly we have many Contractors (who supplied services in earthmoving, road building, drain laying) going bust due (in part) to the excess increases in the NZ OCR, by an ambivalent Governor of the NZRB Governor, who seems more intent in 'destroying the aforesaid business'(and others). But, as there is a sale of earthmoving machinery, from a 'failed' business in Auckland, I am sure that if "you made a call to arms to fellow K one W one's", to buy one of those machines, you could then rally the same group to fulfil your 'desire - to drain the swamp'.
I suggest this "action" as I do not see it occurring following a General Election, even if we have a "change of Govt".
In your most appropriate Article, you forgot to add the number of "new" Govt Depts & Special committees, set up by Jacinda Ardern from 2017!
What do you feel like, Champagne or Chardonnay tonight? I feel I really deserve it there's been so much going on these past few days. Roquefort or Saint-Félicien?! And why not can afford a few luxuries now and my KiwiSaver account is looking very healthy. Ahhh... Socialism is so good. I think I'll have a bit of a get together over the weekend, invite the girls.
Adrian Orr used our low unemployment rate to justify increasing the OCR, and makes no bones about wanting to manufacture a recession. So, let’s start with a decent cull of the bloated public service, particularly anyone with the terms ‘project’, ‘communications’, ‘coordinating’ or ‘consulting’ in their job title, and anyone else who refers to ‘pieces of work’. That would be a sure way to sniff out low productivity vs. disproportionately high costs. I am sure Jenny Shipley would be able to draw out the deadwood…
To TJS - re your "proposed party", do you want me to bring a 'digger' (plenty for sale in Auckland) - and we can create a "lavish" swimming pool in your backyard - so you & friends can lounge in camp chairs (sold by Kathmandu) whilst 'supping' - Roquefort or Saint-Felicien or that simple NZ Chard On AY (which would help you keep money in your Kiwi-Saver).
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