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Archives restructuring a blow to accountability
Archives New Zealand Restructuring: It’s a blow to the
accountability of the state
The government has announced that it proposes to ‘amalgamate’ Archives New Zealand and the National Library with the Department of Internal Affairs. This move will cost $2.5 million in the first year and may save as little as $3 million over three years.
“The loss of accountability is not worth it”
claimed ARANZ President Joanna Newman today on hearing the
cost and savings of the announced amalgamation of Archives
New Zealand and the National Library into DIA. The net
benefit might be $500,000 in three years.
“The
independence of the Chief Archivist is at risk with the
amalgamation of Archives New Zealand into DIA” according
to Ms Newman.
“The Chief Archivist’s role is not just about the historical records of government, but about the keeping of all public records, historical and current. Accountability of state needs public records to be kept – the role Chief Archivist includes ensuring government agencies keep good records.”
“The New Zealand public,
including the media, should be concerned about the
downgrading of the position of Chief Archivist – it’s a
blow to the accountability of the state.
Effective
public debate needs good information - without records we
don’t have information.”
“We wouldn’t reduce the status of the Auditor-General or the Ombudsman without debate – why would we allow this to happen to the Chief Archivist? A chief archivist who is not a senior public servant will find it extremely difficult to confront poor record keeping in government, irrespective of the powers he or she has under the Public Records Act. All the other major accountability officers in New Zealand are independent. “
“This amalgamation is a backward step for accountability of the New Zealand government.”
The State Services Commission itself has acknowledged that Archives New Zealand is a “well functioning department”. Its future ability to ensure accountability in government recordkeeping – and therefore the ability of New Zealanders today and in the future to access information about the decisions and actions of government – is to be compromised for savings of approximately $500,000.
ENDS
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