PQ 11. State Services Commissioner—Press Conference for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority Chief Executive

[Sitting date: 26 November 2014. Volume:702;Page:9. Text is subject to correction.]

11. KRIS FAAFOI (Labour - Mana) to the Minister of State Services : Has she discussed with State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie why he organised a press conference to announce the departure of the CERA Chief Executive Roger Sutton; if so, what was his response?

Hon PAULA BENNETT (Minister of State Services): Yes; his response was that he held the press conference because he believed it would be a high-profile resignation.

Kris Faafoi : Does she think Iain Rennie made the correct judgment in allowing Mr Sutton to present his case at that press conference?

Hon PAULA BENNETT : No.

Kris Faafoi : Does she believe that Iain Rennie has treated the complainant at the centre of the State Services Commission investigation with professionalism and compassion by allowing Mr Sutton to present his case at that press conference?

Hon PAULA BENNETT : I believe that throughout the investigation I have had assurances from him numerous times that he did, but I do not believe that Monday’s press conference was right in any way, shape, or form, and it was not fair to the complainant.

Kris Faafoi : Can the Minister rule out the complainant at the centre of the inquiry being awarded further compensation because Iain Rennie allowed Mr Sutton to speak at that press conference?

Hon PAULA BENNETT : I have no control over what either party does.

Kris Faafoi : What justification does she give for Iain Rennie staying in his role as commissioner, one of our most senior civil servants, given her answers?

Hon PAULA BENNETT : Because he made an error of judgment. He has accepted responsibility for that, and has given me an absolute assurance that nothing like it will ever happen again.

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