7 Mar 2010

Mergers of public sector bodies 'being finalised'

6:39 am on 7 March 2010

The Government is understood to be finalising plans for the mergers of three public sector agencies.

Labour says the Government will break a pre-election promise if it carries out the plans.

Radio New Zealand understands the proposals are to merge the National Library and National Archives into the Department of Internal Affairs; and combine the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology and the Ministry of Research, Science & Technology.

A third merger would move the Food Safety Authority into the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry.

A spokesperson for State Services Minister Tony Ryall has confirmed a number of departments have been reviewed, but says no decisions have been made.

Radio New Zealand understands a Cabinet committee will be asked on Monday to approve the mergers.

The Labour opposition says the Government will break a pre-election promise if it carries out the mergers.

A Cabinet meeting on Monday is expected to decide on three mergers involving seven departments.

In a pre-election speech in September 2008, Prime Minister John Key said a National Government would not radically reform the public service.

Labour's State Services spokesperson, Grant Robertson, says the mergers would be a major restructuring and Mr Key has gone back on his promise.

He says the plans are just the tip of the iceberg with other talks underway for a larger Ministry of Information and another merger in the Justice area.

The Public Service Association says it looks like the Government plans to gradually change the public sector without any public debate or consultation.

National secretary Brenda Pilott says the union is not opposed to mergers, but their merits should be debated openly, case-by-case.

Independence issue

The Archives Association says it would strongly oppose any Government move to reduce the independence of the Chief Archivist.

President Joanna Newman says the Chief Archivist has an essential role in democracy by keeping Government departments accountable for public records.

Ms Newman says a Chief Archivist reporting to the head of the Department of Internal Affairs could struggle to maintain the necessary control over the handling of records.