When will it end Mr English?
Bill English needs to say how far he thinks he can cut public services without damaging the quality of services New Zealander receive, Labour’s spokesperson for State Services, Grant Robertson said today.
“We have been here before. During the 1990’s the National Government stripped our public service down to its bare bones. They closed 38 hospitals, sold over 10,000 state houses, and cut back the number of social workers, corrections officers and health workers. The reduction of services had a huge impact on the well being of New Zealand communities,” said Grant Robertson.
“When Labour came into power we had to invest time and money into rebuilding the same services National spent a decade tearing down. Bill English only needs to look in the mirror to answer why spending on public services needed to increase at the rate it did under Labour.
“In Bill English’s speech to the Australia New Zealand School of Government he spoke in support of a public service focussed on outcomes and innovation. A focus we agree is important but impossible to sustain when you are constantly worried about having the mat pulled out from under you at anytime.
“We need quality impartial advice and services from our public service. Instead Bill English is getting advice he wants to hear rather than advice that is in the best interest of New Zealanders.
“The Government by Google and the privatisation of advice will be bad for the quality of services for New Zealanders,” said Grant Robertson.
