Free speech seems to be given to anti left wing government voices and harsh repercussions to anyone who criticises right wing governments as was shown by the RNZ Kim Hill interview with Eleanor Catton world famous NZ author. Act's demand for Mr Campbell's removal from office struck me as hypocritical.
We'll probably never get to hear the full back story but I feel a very loud and resounding disappointment in the labour govt response. Those calling loudly for the sacking are so hypocritical and that needs to be challenged. Why is everyone so quiet? Where are the calls for free speech now? He was absolutely spot on regardless of his position. Need to see some strength here Labour, some robust discussion about what is deemed ok in the public domain.All the name calling and false accusations re Jacinda come to mind.
Feb 28, 2023·edited Feb 28, 2023Liked by Nick Rockel
Insightful Koorero Nick. As a very junior Civil Servant I did have high ideals about about the integrity of the service. It took a bit of a knock when the Government changed the Wills Act to remove the presumption that the word "children" per se did not extend to children born out of wedlock. Our CE in the Public Trust Office, in accordance with convention, did not speak out against his master the Minister, he simply ordered all Will instructions be changed to ask if Will makers wished to apply the old law or the new. Quite legit but it made it difficult for the new law to apply by default. Later in life at HCNZ the Director General often and openly stated, in my presence, the Minister is our employer. Everything we do, we must do in accordance with her wishes because she is our employer.
In short Rob Campbell's sacking is for breaching convention. Dissembling is the name of the game
Really good points you raise Nick. As you state we hear ad infinitum from economists, business owners, etc etc yet rarely from a worker involved in the day to day grind. The ones the Reserve Bank Governor wants to be unemployed to lower inflation because he sure as heck doesn't mean all economists being unemployed, or the CEO s on the mega salaries. Good on Rob Campbell for telling the truth and how sad he is not allowed to do that while we still get to hear from the ZB mendacity squad.
Excellent questions. Public service neutrality is a bit like scientific objectivity. Results are biased according to what questions you ask. Hiding of the subjectivity of research or the leanings of public servants supports, behind the scenes, steering in directions to suit certain interests or ideologies.
I like the idea of letting them speak up so that their subjectivity can be allowed for.
Rob Campbell was a Ministerial appointment where the Minister has sole discretion over that appointment. It is a privileged (and well paid) role, with the primary duty of implementing government policy. Musings on the National Party should not be part of that role and he made the government a target by doing so, leaving the Minister with no choice but to fire him. (He was warned twice earlier I understand). He is a professional board chair and board member with many board roles (including in the Private Sector such as POAL during the 2012 lockouts) I would loved to have seen him speaking out when the POAL workers were locked out when he was free to do so. There is a debate to be h ad about the role of public servants ; for example, the PSA representing 80,000 public and public funded workers cannot (or will not) affiliate to a Political Party - despite it being different in Australia and the UK.
Labour should promote Rob Campbell to a List MP then he can continue to tell the truth & say it like it is and instead of being fired would be protected by parliamentary privilege.
The guy has more knowledge & expertise in his back pocket than the entire Nact cabinet & it's a sacrilege for that knowledge to be lost.
The unfortunate thing about this action is his comments were right on target.
Free speech seems to be given to anti left wing government voices and harsh repercussions to anyone who criticises right wing governments as was shown by the RNZ Kim Hill interview with Eleanor Catton world famous NZ author. Act's demand for Mr Campbell's removal from office struck me as hypocritical.
Good article and valid points. Nothing is as clear cut and basic as the news media would like you to believe.
I'm speechless. 😆
The media talking about neutrality is like Tamaki claiming he doesn't watch porn.
We'll probably never get to hear the full back story but I feel a very loud and resounding disappointment in the labour govt response. Those calling loudly for the sacking are so hypocritical and that needs to be challenged. Why is everyone so quiet? Where are the calls for free speech now? He was absolutely spot on regardless of his position. Need to see some strength here Labour, some robust discussion about what is deemed ok in the public domain.All the name calling and false accusations re Jacinda come to mind.
Insightful Koorero Nick. As a very junior Civil Servant I did have high ideals about about the integrity of the service. It took a bit of a knock when the Government changed the Wills Act to remove the presumption that the word "children" per se did not extend to children born out of wedlock. Our CE in the Public Trust Office, in accordance with convention, did not speak out against his master the Minister, he simply ordered all Will instructions be changed to ask if Will makers wished to apply the old law or the new. Quite legit but it made it difficult for the new law to apply by default. Later in life at HCNZ the Director General often and openly stated, in my presence, the Minister is our employer. Everything we do, we must do in accordance with her wishes because she is our employer.
In short Rob Campbell's sacking is for breaching convention. Dissembling is the name of the game
Really good points you raise Nick. As you state we hear ad infinitum from economists, business owners, etc etc yet rarely from a worker involved in the day to day grind. The ones the Reserve Bank Governor wants to be unemployed to lower inflation because he sure as heck doesn't mean all economists being unemployed, or the CEO s on the mega salaries. Good on Rob Campbell for telling the truth and how sad he is not allowed to do that while we still get to hear from the ZB mendacity squad.
Excellent questions. Public service neutrality is a bit like scientific objectivity. Results are biased according to what questions you ask. Hiding of the subjectivity of research or the leanings of public servants supports, behind the scenes, steering in directions to suit certain interests or ideologies.
I like the idea of letting them speak up so that their subjectivity can be allowed for.
Great summation and song choice.
Rob Campbell was a Ministerial appointment where the Minister has sole discretion over that appointment. It is a privileged (and well paid) role, with the primary duty of implementing government policy. Musings on the National Party should not be part of that role and he made the government a target by doing so, leaving the Minister with no choice but to fire him. (He was warned twice earlier I understand). He is a professional board chair and board member with many board roles (including in the Private Sector such as POAL during the 2012 lockouts) I would loved to have seen him speaking out when the POAL workers were locked out when he was free to do so. There is a debate to be h ad about the role of public servants ; for example, the PSA representing 80,000 public and public funded workers cannot (or will not) affiliate to a Political Party - despite it being different in Australia and the UK.
Good article Nick. You brought up some good points. Things to ponder
Labour should promote Rob Campbell to a List MP then he can continue to tell the truth & say it like it is and instead of being fired would be protected by parliamentary privilege.
The guy has more knowledge & expertise in his back pocket than the entire Nact cabinet & it's a sacrilege for that knowledge to be lost.