OPM at loggerheads with PM’s CEO

“Hammer this prick back,” says Mac

The much publicized fuss over the recent heated comments made by the Police Commissioner outside the offices of MFEM which were allegedly directed to a member of MFEM staff have taken a further twist.
The Minister for Police incidentally, is the Prime Minister Hon Jim Marurai.
It now appears the response made by the Prime Minister’s CEO to a reporter from Radio NZ International has drawn a sharp response from Mac Mokoroa the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
In an E-mail message, Mokoroa has informed Financial Secretary Sholan Ivaiti that he (Mokoroa) does not want the OPM to be roped in as part of the PM’s CEO’s comments.
Incredibly, Mokoroa sent the message to the PM’s CEO by mistake, with a copy to Ivaiti.
He suggests to Ivaiti that the PM’s CEO be shut down and wants the Democratic Party to raise this at the next Executive meeting.
What the Chief of Staff has to do with the affairs of the PM and his CEO is a mystery and why he wishes to intervene is an even greater mystery. Rather than play “Party politics,” the Chief of Staff needs to focus on his own work and responsibilities within the OPM.
He refers to the PM’s CEO as a “prick.” This unfortunate use of the internet must surely constitute an offence and some reprimand is warranted.
A copy of the E-mail exchanges is set out on page 2 so the public can make up its own mind.
With the country virtually in a recession, expecting a $5.6 million deficit next financial year, we can ill afford to have senior public servants focusing their attention on petty political squabbles.
The wider public’s reaction must surely be, earn your high salaries by doing some “real work.”
The public would perceive it to be a waste of resources to bring “Party politics” into a situation that clearly does not warrant it. The Demos need to focus on winning the next election by delivering on their promises and addressing the really big issues of the day which are the falling tax take and depopulation and not allowing itself to become bogged down in other people’s bitter, personal vendettas.

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
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