Government has only itself to blame for leaks
If the government had been more open about its intentions to mine the conservation estate and mergers of public services then it would not find itself in the embarrassing position of investigating leaks from the public sector, Labour State Services Spokesperson, Grant Robertson said.
"Instead of starting a witch-hunt in the public service, the National Government should take a look at its own shambolic handling of on important issues.
"They have only themselves to blame given their secretive approach to issues like mining in conservation land and state sector mergers. National has not even talked to key stakeholders involved in areas affected by the proposed mergers in the state sector.
"Mucking around with agencies like the Food Safety Authority and Archives New Zealand will affect business people, media and other groups, but they have not been part of National's plans."
"The government has sat on the discussion document on mining in the conservation estate for some time now, depriving New Zealanders of the full picture regarding their plans. They just need to be more upfront."
"This has all the hallmarks of a witch-hunt by Ministers. My sources tell me that the State Services Commission has been investigating how information about mergers came out for more than a week. Announcing this inquiry now looks to be a result of pressure from Ministers,
"Given the Government's handling of these issues it is not surprising that public servants want to blow the whistle."
"The government is serial leaker of information when it suits them. They need to take a good look in the mirror, rather than wasting resources on a witch-hunt of these whistleblowers," Grant Robertson said.
