by Jan Logie
My pick for the next Public Service restructuring announcement:
Paula Bennett will replace MSD policy and funding departments with an 0800PaulaKnowsBest number.
Yesterday in response to my questions about the unsustainable funding situation faced by Wellington Rape Crisis, who have been forced to rely on guilt money from Hells Pizza for awarding a prize for this, the Minister said WRC should have come see her. No matter they’d alerted MSD through the proper channels and there’s a whole unit to advise her on funding.
So basically she’s saying MSD regional funding officers are unnecessary and she will sort everything.
She also chose not to ask MSD to provide her with advice on her plans to drug test beneficiaries because she said it’s just common sense.
She may as well set up the 0800PaulaKnowsBest line if it’s just all about her.
Published in Economy, Work, & Welfare | Justice & Democracy by Jan Logie on Fri, August 17th, 2012
on the trolls and those who are unable to keep on topic
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Are you suggesting beneficaries shouldn’t be drug tested? I think NZers have the right to know that the money we are providing to people so the can live is not thrown away on drugs.
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So now you’re criticising an offer to help Wellington Rape Crisis.
How low can point scoring get?
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Pot, kettle black.
And she did not criticise the offer of help – just noted it was a damage control exercise by the company, that might not have been made otherwise.
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Her performance this year is nothing short of appalling. The idea of drug testing was not recommended by the Ministry of Health as although it may seem like a good idea it is likely to cost more than it saves. But as JL says, Paula knows best.
Then there is this http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10827772 where yet again the concerns raised by JA about the new providers not having enough time to prepare for the changes appear to be valid. I’m all for the changes but running welfare by using a charging arrogant bull like Bennet who listens only selectively to advice that suits her personal agenda will cost our country much more long term.
From the apology of sorts around her breach of Natasha Fuller’s privacy whilst remaining in office despite MSD staff being fired for less, inaccurate denial of having any poverty measure (see http://lindsaymitchell.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/minsitry-data-its-not-official.html) the megalomania has just gotten out of control.
Not sure what has happened with Paula Bennett but I think she has managed to burn herself out and is in desperate need of replacing. I vote Crusher should take over but she has her hands full.
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I read JL’s post as criticizing the nats for starving rape crisis of funding ( and not a peep from photo1 about that).
Her other point I got was that National party ministers ignore advice from their departments and make policy up on the go like little lords.
Both points are totally valid and sum up the character of this national party government
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