Greens win tighter rules on gifts and hospitality

The Green Party is welcoming news that Treasury and other departments will be tightening their rules around staff accepting gifts and hospitality, following a complaint to the State Services Commissioner by the Green Party.

Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman complained to the State Services Commissioner after he revealed in one year alone, Westpac, ANZ, BNZ, Barclays, and Deutsche Bank made 118 gifts to the Treasury's Debt Management Office staff. These included lunches, dinners, and theatre and sports tickets.

"The State Services Commissioner has advised me the audit of the Debt Management Office revealed behaviour that did not comply with the state sector guidelines," said Dr Norman.

"Debt Management Office staff participated in an extravagant culture of corporate hospitality that the State Services Commissioner says was excessive in volume.

"The State Services Commissioner has told me that the Debt Management Office's acceptance of gifts and hospitality did not meet the standards he expects of an impartial public service.

"This flagrant breach of the rules by Treasury staff is cause for serious concern. Corporates don't give expensive gifts to Government for nothing. They wanted something in return.

"I am still concerned that Treasury initially denied there was a problem, but hope the new rules will eliminate the cloud that has been hanging over their professional conduct. I congratulate the State Services Commissioner for standing up on this issue.

"I am pleased that the Green Party's identification of this issue has resulted in a tightening of the rules and shift in Treasury's culture. We are fortunate in New Zealand to have a high quality public service with very low levels of corruption, but the price of a high quality public service is eternal vigilance.

"I will be keeping an eye on Treasury's gift register in the future," said Dr Norman.