This column about the Auditor General's report into Gumboot Friday stated that questions had been raised about the independence and methodology of ImpactLab, a business chaired by Sir Bill English.
As an old public servant who handed out government funds within the strict framework of policy, this article makes me sick. The public servants who made the recommendation to the Minister (who comes from a good Catholic family) should also be named. How else can we inject ethics back into the public sector?
I was informed of a word this week "kleptocracy". When I looked up its meaning the definition was: 'A government characterized by rampant greed and corruption'. Have we got there yet?
The Ministry, politicians and Gumboot Friday have form in this sort of arrangement, as my colleague Oliver Lewis wrote three years ago for BusinessDesk (free to all, thanks to the Public Interest Journalism Fund).
Just what are the questions about ImpactLabs independence ? You haven’t raised the issue of independence with respect to the other 300 or so assessments ImpactLab has completed across the charitable sector, including BBM run by Dave Letele Nor did you raise this issue when the previous Labour govenrment used an ImpactLab assessment to justify pre election funding of a mental health programme in schools. Waiting to hear those questions about independence Bryce - and happy to answer them.
Dr Edward’s; could you elaborate on these statements please - “King’s unorthodox methods and tenacity in trying to turn around the blight” “an outsider, rejected by the health system”. Just what is lacking in the structure of the Gumboot Friday Trust that makes it ineligible? and just why over all this time has the trust not rectified this?
Further, if it’s such a glaring injustice (the trust not being eligible) that politicians on both sides of the house take it upon themselves, then why hasn’t policy been changed?
And finally do you have any thoughts on ‘other’ influences on public servants that may make influence them unduly?
Interesting article, thanks, it would also be interesting to know how much percentage of funding goes to management as opposed to the coal face at gumboot Friday compared with other charities, alot of who missed out on funding after this.
From what I can make out Mr Doocey is looking very much like one of Luxon's woke mates come trans gender activist (e.g. https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/citizen-science-matt-doocey-doubles-down-on-trans-healthcare). So there's possibly a pattern of dubious values and decision making going on here. More generally it's starting to look like even National now thinks its ok to go with a "modified" form of democracy, with this and its Fast Track Bill, apparently accepting the precedent set by the Ardern regime for Ministers to brush aside democratic process including fair procurement, in the interests of their pet ideology, pet oppressed group, or because in any case they know best.
As an old public servant who handed out government funds within the strict framework of policy, this article makes me sick. The public servants who made the recommendation to the Minister (who comes from a good Catholic family) should also be named. How else can we inject ethics back into the public sector?
I was informed of a word this week "kleptocracy". When I looked up its meaning the definition was: 'A government characterized by rampant greed and corruption'. Have we got there yet?
Another brilliant but concerning expose Bryce.
The Ministry, politicians and Gumboot Friday have form in this sort of arrangement, as my colleague Oliver Lewis wrote three years ago for BusinessDesk (free to all, thanks to the Public Interest Journalism Fund).
https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/public-sector-project/procurement-gets-political-gumboot-friday
Is it possible the public servants were afraid of losing their jobs if they pushed back too hard, given the recent state sector job cuts?
Bryce
Just what are the questions about ImpactLabs independence ? You haven’t raised the issue of independence with respect to the other 300 or so assessments ImpactLab has completed across the charitable sector, including BBM run by Dave Letele Nor did you raise this issue when the previous Labour govenrment used an ImpactLab assessment to justify pre election funding of a mental health programme in schools. Waiting to hear those questions about independence Bryce - and happy to answer them.
Dr Edward’s; could you elaborate on these statements please - “King’s unorthodox methods and tenacity in trying to turn around the blight” “an outsider, rejected by the health system”. Just what is lacking in the structure of the Gumboot Friday Trust that makes it ineligible? and just why over all this time has the trust not rectified this?
Further, if it’s such a glaring injustice (the trust not being eligible) that politicians on both sides of the house take it upon themselves, then why hasn’t policy been changed?
And finally do you have any thoughts on ‘other’ influences on public servants that may make influence them unduly?
Good article thanks.
It's worrying that this trend to cronyism is being played out in broad daylight.( well the ones we know about!)
There seems a newish breed of low quality, selfish politician that have no shame ...
Interesting article, thanks, it would also be interesting to know how much percentage of funding goes to management as opposed to the coal face at gumboot Friday compared with other charities, alot of who missed out on funding after this.
From what I can make out Mr Doocey is looking very much like one of Luxon's woke mates come trans gender activist (e.g. https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/citizen-science-matt-doocey-doubles-down-on-trans-healthcare). So there's possibly a pattern of dubious values and decision making going on here. More generally it's starting to look like even National now thinks its ok to go with a "modified" form of democracy, with this and its Fast Track Bill, apparently accepting the precedent set by the Ardern regime for Ministers to brush aside democratic process including fair procurement, in the interests of their pet ideology, pet oppressed group, or because in any case they know best.