Grant Robertson
State Services spokesperson

25 March 2010 Media Statement

Tony Ryall makes a lie of National’s front line promise

The closure of the Blenheim and Thames offices of the Accident Compensation Corporation make a mockery of the Government’s promise to strengthen front line public services, Labour’s State Services spokesperson Grant Robertson said today.

“Not only does this decision go against National’s election promise, it is also in stark contrast of what State Services Minister Tony Ryall told Parliament last Thursday,” Grant Robertson said.

“I asked Tony Ryall last week to confirm reports that Blenheim’s ACC office was earmarked for closure. Mr Ryall told Parliament there was ‘no plan of the sort described’.

“Tony Ryall needs to explain the massive difference between his statement last week and the reality that the people of Blenheim and Thames will have no ACC office to serve them.

“The Government claims more resources are going to the frontline, but we have seen cuts to biosecurity staff at the border, CYFS staff, the school library services, regional fisheries offices and now the ACC. These are all frontline services that people across New Zealand rely on.”

Grant Robertson said John Key himself in 2008 warned that: ‘Few problems are solved by significant reorganisations – in fact, many more tend to be created’.

“Kiwis up and down the country are currently finding that to be true,” Grant Robertson said.

“They are now seeing a reduction in the level and standard of services.

“National has not been honest about its plans for state sector reform, that was evidenced last week by Tony Ryall’s denial that the Government intended to close Blenheim’s ACC office.”

ENDS

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