Tuesday May 13, 2008

Senior Immigration Service executive Mary Anne Thompson has resigned.

Ms Thompson's resignation comes as the State Services Commission reviews the residency applications of some of her Kiribati family members that were approved against normal Immigration Service policies.

An earlier independent report into the case found Ms Thompson had not sought to influence the outcome.
In an email to staff today, Department of Labour Chief Executive Christopher Blake said Ms Thompson had stepped down on Monday as Deputy Secretary, Workforce, effective immediately.

"While this decision brings a degree of closure to these matters, I expect public scrutiny will continue around this and wider organisational issues," he said.

"I will be making no further public comment about the resignation, and I remind you to refrain from making any comment or speculation on this matter to persons outside the Department, especially to journalists."

In a formal statement released later, Mr Blake said: "In the interests of the Department and the wider public service, Ms Thompson has decided to resign from her position as Deputy Secretary Workforce." He also acknowledged Ms Thompson's contribution to the Department of Labour - which includes the Immigration Service.

National Immigration spokesman Lockwood Smith plans to ask the government when they were made aware of the residency applications by Ms Thompson's family in Parliament this afternoon.

An immigration official was disciplined after admitting to ordering staff to process applications by Ms Thompson's family members, despite being filed eight months after applications for the Kiribati quota had closed.

In the independent report, former justice secretary David Oughton also raised concerns of a more widespread practice of staff being pushed into making decisions they felt were contrary to immigration policies.

"The most important issue right now is the Minister's responsibility around this sorry saga because what has not become public yet is when the Minister was first informed about it and what he did about it," Dr Smith said.

He said the issue went to the heart of the Immigration Department, whose reputation had been damaged.

"A perception has now been created that not everyone applying for visas and permits will be treated the same. The way you will be treated may depend on your family connections and who you know and that is an unfortunate and unacceptable situation," Dr Smith said.

He said Ms Thompson had few options.

Dr Smith said the investigation should have been made public from day one and a public announcement should have been made.

"The only reason why Mary Anne Thompson has stepped down is because the matter finally became public. If it hadn't been made public [by the media] you would have seen no change," he said.

Mr Blake has announced that Graeme Buchanan has been appointed Acting Deputy Secretary, Workforce.

(Source NZHERALD)