WINZ Boss Should Pay For Flight Debacle With Bonus

Tuesday 3rd Aug 1999

Muriel Newman

Media Release -- Social Welfare

WINZ boss Christine Ranking should pay for what the State Services Commissioner has today described as a 'lack of financial discipline' with her performance bonus.

ACT Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said the Commissioner was right censure Christine Rankin for her part in WINZ $165,000 'Golden Wing' charter flight.

"Losing her performance bonus is only a small price for Ms Rankin to pay for this very sloppy management. Taxpayers have to foot the $165,000 bill.

"WINZ extravagance showed contempt for hard working New Zealanders' and their struggle to get ahead. It is just another example of why New Zealanders want to keep more of their hard earned money rather handing it over to politicians and bureaucrats to waste.

"It's no wonder middle New Zealand have had a gutsful. While they are struggling just to pay the mortgage and send their kids on school trips, they see their money being splashed around on fancy chairs, charter flights and golden handshakes.

"It's time the Government and the public sector realised whose money they are spending. It's time they took as much care with every dollar they spend as hard working taxpayers have to," said Muriel Newman.

ENDS

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