Wednesday, 24 April 2024 14:25

Cut with care

Written by The Hound

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OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.

Given the 34% blowout in the size of the Wellington bureaucracy in recent years, The Hound is all for it.

Between 2017 and 2023, ten departments increased staff numbers by more than 64%.

As for growth in absolute numbers, MBIE led the way at 2917 new staff.

MPI added 1300, so will no doubt be looked at.

All the same, despite the need for savings, it was pleasing to hear Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard say frontline biosecurity services at MPI will not be cut.

This is vital to defending our biggest export earner.

Cuts to MPI, if any, will need to be chosen very carefully.

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The canine crusader always has his nose in the air for more media maleficence, so was pointing as soon as he saw the Stuff headline: ‘Wellington residents respond to PM saying he doesn’t need his job!’.

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OPINION: It really is getting harder to lampoon government bureaucrats when they do such a good job of it themselves.

Anyone in the primary sector will know about the clowns covering the countryside in the red tape we all have to wade through.

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As Stuff notes, “It wasn’t the Playboy cover which caused offence. No, it was the back page which… featured an advert for a cigarette brand”.

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