Headline: Ministers must be accountable for Novo-fail
The most profound failing in the Novopay debacle is that of the ministers responsible, says Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins.
His comments follow the release of National’s Ministerial Inquiry into Novopay this afternoon.
“Ensuring our teachers and school staff are paid for their work correctly and on time is the responsibility of the Minister of Education.
“Minister in charge of Novopay, Steven Joyce, was forthcoming in his apology today for the botched implementation of Novopay. He detailed disappointment in public servants, in ‘project governance’ and ‘project leadership’ as well as in individuals tasked with advising ministers.
“But he stopped short of apologising for a lack of ministerial oversight.
“Offering apologies for everyone else is typical from a government that has refused to be held accountable for any of its failures in education.
“Hekia Parata, Craig Foss, Bill English and Steven Joyce have all had a hand in Novopay’s failure. Their lack of oversight and scrutiny of the payroll system should not be understated.
“Steven Joyce can blame poor advice from officials, but ministers still signed off on Novopay in full knowledge that it had failed to meet key milestones and that 147 software defects existed. The risks of going ahead with Novopay should have been clear.
“New Zealanders have a right to expect that the buck stops with the Minister. They have the right to expect ministers will show the competence required to manage a ministry and its multiple projects.
“Admitting that there were failings throughout the chain of command is an important step. Raising grievances about the accuracy of information presented to ministers is also valid. But an admission and apology that a lack of ministerial oversight made a bad situation worse, went wanting,” Chris Hipkins said.
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