Tuesday April 22, 2008

The State Services Commission will look into how the Immigration Service handled an inquiry involving its head, Mary-Anne Thompson.

State Services Commissioner Mark Prebble said he would report to ministers on the Labour Department's handling of the case, given public concerns that family members of senior officials got different treatment to others.

The department, which is responsible for the service, has refused to release a report on the help Ms Thompson gave to three members of her extended family in Kiribati who were granted residence in New Zealand.

The department has confirmed that residency was never revoked, despite a finding that it would not have been granted if the usual processes had been followed.

The irregularity was discovered in a routine audit, and a staff member has been disciplined.

Ms Thompson helped her family members fill in their forms, and signed her name on the forms as having helped them. She was counselled by former department chief executive James Buwalda but no further action was taken against her.
The inquiry was handled by former Secretary of Justice David Oughton.

Dr Prebble said he could not say how long the report would take but would treat it as a high priority.
"This matter has resulted in public concerns being raised about whether there are different rules for the family members of senior officials," he said.

"While it was the responsibility of the then chief executive to investigate the matters internally and to make any decisions affecting the service or its employees, it is appropriate for the State Services Commissioner to consider whether that function has been discharged effectively. This is particularly so where public perceptions of the matter may undermine trust in the public service."

Dr Prebble would investigate a report on the investigation and decision processes.
Prime Minister Helen Clark yesterday told Immigration Minister Clayton Cosgrove that "for his own peace of mind" he should refer the case to the SSC and State Services Minister David Parker then requested that action.

National immigration spokesman Lockwood Smith today questioned why there needed to be a second inquiry.

"What is immigration trying to hide? It won't release the first inquiry after minister Clayton Cosgrove raised concerns but now a second inquiry is being ordered. If the first inquiry stacks up, why is there to be a second one?

"How many inquiries does it take to get to the truth under this Labour Government?"

(Source NZPA)