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Health chief Rob Campbell stands by water-policy criticism
Health chief Rob Campbell stands by water-policy criticism
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There is a big difference between being 'politically impartial' and being 'politically neutered’
Te Whatu Ora chair Rob Campbell was earlier this afternoon refusing to back down on his criticism of National’s water services policy, despite claims he is breaching rules on public service neutrality.
There is a “big difference between being ‘politically impartial’ and being 'politically neutered’”, Mr Campbell told Newshub, adding he didn’t regret making the comments.
However, that was before prime minister Chris Hipkins weighed in, telling The New Zealand Herald Mr Campbell’s comments fell “well outside” what would be appropriate. Health minister Ayesha Verrall would be raising the matter with Mr Campbell.
National leader Christopher Luxon said at the weekend that a National Party government would scrap Labour’s Three Waters model and its four water-control entities, and restore council ownership and control of water services.
One part of Labour’s water services reforms against which National has been campaigning is use of co-governance.
On LinkedIn, Mr Campbell wrote that leaving the solution to the obvious major issues with water services to the bodies that had failed to avert those issues “can only evince a John McEnroe ‘You cannot be serious!’ cry”.
“What on earth would make anyone think this was a sensible idea for debt raising alone, let alone the management and delivery of the tasks. Geographic and social inequities deepening while the infrastructure rots.
“I can only think that this is a thin disguise for the dog whistle on ‘co-governance’.
“Christopher Luxon might be able to rescue his party from stupidity on climate change but rescuing this from a well he has dug himself might be harder.”
The Herald reported National’s public service spokesperson Simeon Brown as saying Mr Campbell’s comments were inappropriate for a senior public servant. They appeared to breach the rules on political impartiality of senior public servants.
Newshub reported ACT leader David Seymour as saying Mr Campbell should “pull his head in” or resign.
The same article quoted Mr Campbell saying that his comments were consistent with the Public Service Commission’s code of conduct for Crown entity board members.
“The comments referred to were in a private capacity. I cannot see how a view on water reform could jeopardise my ability to perform my role at Te Whatu Ora nor erode public trust in Te Whatu Ora.”
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