Latest news with #BrianRoche
Scoop
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Almost 1/3 Of Public Servants Self-Censor On Misconduct
Almost one in three (30%) public servants do not agree they are 'safe to speak up about wrongdoing or inappropriate behaviour in the workplace', according to the recent Public Service Census. Self-censorship like this, at times based on fear of reprisals, is an ominous chord to sound from the heart of our public service, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. "The public service plays an important role in serving our society and democracy, yet when 30% of public servants fear speaking up and challenging wrongdoing or inappropriate behaviour, we must question what sort of culture prevails. When else are public servants silent when they should speak? 'The Public Service Commissioner, Sir Brian Roche, claims 'good leadership isn't necessarily about deep, technical knowledge. It's the ability to get the confidence and trust of others.' This is impossible in contexts where individuals self-censor in fear. 'Free speech is not simply a vague, abstract right that allows individuals to speak without fear of the government. More importantly, it is the belief that every individual's voice matters and that they have a contribution to make, not least of all in the face of potential wrongdoing. Injustice and abuse thrive in silence. 'The Free Speech Union looks forward to reviewing the action plans that the Commissioner has required as a result of this survey, and the steps the Chief Executives will take to address self-censorship among public servants.'
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Public Service Census Results Released
The latest Public Service Census results released today will be used to lift performance, improve efficiency and build on solid foundations. The Public Service Census is a regular survey of New Zealand public servants working in departments, ministries and departmental agencies. The 2025 Census ran from 3-21 March and included questions on productivity, delivery and integrity. Over 44,000 public servants from 40 agencies shared their feedback and ideas for improving the performance of the public service. Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche said public servants have provided constructive feedback that will benefit the public service and taxpayers. 'Public servants have given us a lot to reflect on,' says Sir Brian. 'Overall, I am encouraged by the results. We've also been given clear signals on where we need to improve. My expectation is that individual public service chief executives will listen to what their staff have said, consider it, and either action it or justify why not.' The survey identified areas where the public service is performing well, with 87% of public servants feeling they contribute to delivering better outcomes for New Zealanders and 80% believe their work provides value for taxpayers. More than 90% of public servants believe their team has been at least moderately successful achieving objectives in the last 12 months. Other encouraging results: 95% of public servants have a good understanding of what it means to be politically neutral 91% say it's important to them that the agency where they work is open and transparent with the public 87% believe their agency is working for the long-term good of New Zealand. The census also highlights a number of issues public servants believe are hindering high performance: inefficient decision making is a problem (75%) complicated or unnecessary business processes (73%) high work volumes and insufficient staff (82%) poor communication between teams (69%) low appetite for risk/innovation (68%). Other results identifying areas for improvement: 57% believe senior leaders clearly articulate the direction and priorities for their organisation 51% believe suggestions to improve workplace efficiency or productivity are taken seriously and acted on 60% of managers say they have support from their agency to manage or improve staff performance that is not meeting expectations. While about 80% of public servants felt accepted and valued, and comfortable being themselves at work, 12% said they had experienced harassment or bullying in the past year. 70% of public servants felt it was safe to speak up about wrongdoing or inappropriate behaviour, with 15% disagreeing it was safe to speak up. 'Some of these results are very positive and provide a good base upon which we position for the future,' says Sir Brian. 'Like any organisation or business, the public service is always looking for ways to improve. 'The census is about listening to the people who work in the system, whether it be on the frontline or behind the scenes. Their insights are vital to lifting performance, delivery and culture, and it's important we listen and respond to their feedback. 'Improving how we work isn't just good for staff – it's essential for delivering better results for taxpayers and optimising the investment they have made in the system.'
ABC News
18-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Public Trustee wants WA government to cut fees for most vulnerable
The state agency in charge of managing the assets of people deemed incapable of making their own decisions says the government should help pay for services for its most vulnerable clients. Public trustees manage the finances and assets of people with impaired decision-making abilities, for example due to a head injury or dementia – annually, fees can range in the five-figures depending on the services provided. Around the country they are mostly self-funded by charging some clients higher fees to subsidise others who can't pay. In WA and Queensland, the agencies are completely self-funded. In a rare public appearance, WA Public Trustee Brian Roche said he believed the state government should help subsidise those who can't afford the trustee's fees. "There probably should be a partial appropriation to offset those that don't have capacity to pay," he said. Mr Roche made the comment while fronting a parliamentary committee. "We currently operate under what is termed as a self-funding model … we're meant to generate sufficient income to pay all of our expenses," he said. "We operate under whatever regime the government of the day has put in place. "Governments have choices … we don't [necessarily] have to charge any fees." The self-funding model was implemented in 2008 under Colin Barnett's Liberal government. The Public Trustee is bound by confidentiality provisions which forbid him from commenting on individual cases, and in WA the Department of Justice typically responds to media enquiries on his behalf. Do you know more about this story? Contact Cason Ho Do you know more about this story? Contact Cason Ho There has been increasing scrutiny in recent years amid allegations of public trustees charging exorbitant fees while providing questionable care. Mr Roche said the Public Trustee was unable to provide important details to the media about cases because of the constraints. But some clients and advocates say the confidentiality provisions mean there's no transparency. The WA Law Reform Commission is reviewing the state's Guardianship and Administration Act. In 2023, the WA government committed to implementing an independent advisory board for the Public Trustee and developing a new fee model.
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
For the love of leaks
Public Service Commissioner Brian Roche issued a memo to government staff warning against leaks of sensitive information - a memo that was subsequently leaked to RNZ. Editor of Richard Harman joins Emile Donovan to talk about receiving leaks, how journalists can use them, and what leaks say about the government agencies they originate from. Photo: Reece Baker/RNZ
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
'Chilling effect': Union raises concerns over ministers' interference after leaks
Public service organisations have been urged to "take every possible action" to shut down leaking. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Stronger whistleblowing laws and more emphasis on free and frank advice are needed to balance out a crackdown on leaks, the Public Service Association (PSA) union says. The campaign against leaks was exposed in a leaked email from a department boss to staff, after Commissioner Sir Brian Roche urged chief executives to "take every possible action" to shut down leaking, including sacking those found responsible where appropriate. PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said such dismissals would require fair process. "We don't condone leaking, but we cannot see a blanket rule that public servants are dismissed when leaks occur. New Zealand law requires a full and fair investigation process, and employers have to enter that process with an open mind," she said. "Public servants must not leak. But there is a legal duty to provide free and frank advice to the government of the day, and we'd like to see the government also reiterating those expectations alongside these messages about leaking." Pointing to an academic article by Massey's Richard Shaw and Victoria University of Wellington's Chris Eichbaum from 2023, she said there had been a chilling effect on the provision of free and frank advice over multiple governments. "Our members have reported to us that they have been advised not to provide certain commentary in advice or to only do so via phone and that there is direct ministerial involvement in matters that would usually sit within departments," she said. "We saw this with the approach taken to the survey of public servants recently. The chilling effect of this is exacerbated in an environment of constant cuts and job losses." She said Associate Health Minister Casey Costello making accusations in November about a public servant for internal communications about heated tobacco products was another case. PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The PSA at the time wrote to Sir Brian saying that would have a chilling effect, made worse by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's comments that "appear to conflate this case with a separate issue from last month". Fitzsimons urged the government to look at strengthening New Zealand's whistleblowing law, the Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022. "The current whistleblowing laws in New Zealand put a very high threshold on serious wrongdoing. We would call on government to review those laws, but at the end of the day public servants shouldn't leak, it's not professional to do so, and we advise against it." The Act limits whistleblowing to exposing "serious wrongdoing", which includes posing a serious risk to health, safety, or the maintenance of law, corrupt or irregular use of public funds or resources, or breaking the law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said that when leaks happened it undermined the public service as a whole. "They do the public service a big disservice frankly and the public's trust in the public service is a problem and that's why I think it's pretty unfair because we've got some great public servants in New Zealand, we're very well served by some awesome people. "We've always had leaking in different governments but it's ultimately up to individuals are trusted to serve the government of the day and to do so in a politically neutral way." ACT leader David Seymour said those found leaking should "absolutely" face repercussions. He had this message for public servants: "Your career as a public servant is a part of your life. For all of your life you're going to be invested in this country working and you have no right to undermine the constitutional setup and framework that has made this country a success, that you've benefited from. "Some of the people who are the people leaking would really struggle to get a job outside the cocoon of the public service, because in the private sector honesty and integrity are highly valued." He said the public service was "far too large" and "if we want to start reducing it maybe we need to leak out a few leakers". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
