I’ve spent a bit of the weekend talking and thinking about Murray McCully. Its not something I choose to do that often! But bar for the Nick Smith saga last week, I think the actions of Murray McCully would have had a great deal more attention- and I am sure they will get that attention in the coming weeks.
Last week Murray McCully wrote a letter to the Chief Executive of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade telling him that he opposed some of the changes he was proposing to the Ministry and describing various things he wanted to happen. The language was as media said “strongly worded”, and at times barbed.
This letter was then released to the media. Talking to former senior public servants no one could recall an action like this. It is a direct attack on a person who can not really respond.
Beyond that it is a farcical abdication of responsbility from McCully. He is the Minister. It is his government that gave the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade the target on finding $40 million (or $25 million as he claims) in cuts. It is not credible that the change programme in Foreign Affairs would have progressed to the point it did without McCully’s direct and continuing involvement. A Spokesperson for MFAT as good as confirmed that in the Dominion Post article linked above on Thursday.
the ministry has been “in discussions with Government throughout the process and they have provided clear direction on their priorities and expectations.
But McCully has tried to run for cover in the House and in the media, and dump all over John Allen. Now, it has to be said the way change process has been run has been disastrous. Many of the changes seem ill-thought out or just plain bizarre. Staff morale has collapsed. As I have said before I agree change was needed at MFAT, but this process has done far, far more harm than good.
John Allen and the senior leadership team at MFAT have to take their share of the blame for this. But so does Murray McCully. As the Sunday Star Times editorial (can’t find on-line) put it today his actions are a “disgrace”.
TV3 News at 6pm on Friday had the most direct attack on McCully I can remember being dished out to any minister – it indicated a total collapse of confidence in his competence
Tv3 have lost confidence in mccully? What’s next?
Still, got to say the timing is great. Tweedle dee went last week and now tweedle dumb is under pressure. Two red-faced white men the NACTs need to dispose of to have any hope in 2014…
Crusher Collins and Joyce at the helm, and Banksy the butler to serve tea. Just imagine.
I am sorry you spent your weekend talking and thinking about Murray McCully and I hope you have a better week upcoming.
CK
“I am sure they will get that attention in the coming weeks.”
Nice! Maybe some more cabinet pork for the barbie. At least we know that unlike brighter futures, there’s a ready supply of chump chops ripe for all.
Just remember to stand well back when you throw on tim grosser
lol CK!
You cannot publicly vilify your CEO as McCully did and then expect your statement that you still have confidence in him to wash. At best that would show a Minister who has gone a little doo-lally.
I’m no J Allen fan but a suggestion that he didn’t act entirely according to McCully’s remit in releasing his proposal is laughable. A Minister who doesn’t know where the buck stops and sacrifices an employee to the alter of expediency needs to go.
Mc Cully knows where alot of bodies are buried… mostly because he killed or buried them.
Here’s another quote. MFAT told the Foreign Affairs select committee in February 2012 in response to Q147. What reports and advice has the Ministry made to the government on reorganisation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade? Please provide a list of reports by date and title.
“The Ministry has engaged regularly with the Minister of Foreign Affairs on its intentions and progress under the Ministry 20/20 change process. This has been largely through briefings from the Chief Executive.”
http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/DED2B905-BC41-4F78-A978-6E18AE79E0D0/201423/50SCFDT_EVI_00DBSCH_FIN_10916_1_A223206_Ministryof.pdf
on a lighter note, I’ve just seen david shearer with his head shaved, as part of the Shave for a Cure campaign.
he looks sharp! he should keep it streamlined, it is a definite improvement on the woolly look.
trinny and susannah would back me up here.
We have a Government who is desparate to be seen to be doing something, to balance the books.
They have to cut costs somewhere to cover the tax cuts they have given to their wealthy voters who got them back into power.
Chris, just out of interest, are these the sort of posts that will help return support to Labour?
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/labor-dirt-enraged-voters/story-fnbwr276-1226309692850
Who cares about TV3 and SST – they are both getting more desperate for bums on seats. They will do anything to get attention.
perhaps he could be replaced by brownlee. the finns were certainly.impressed by his diplomatic prowess
I feel sorry for MFAT
Indiana, just out of interest, but would you prefer if your ministers weren’t held to account for their shameless scapegoating of top public servants?
I was interested by your article quoting “top polling organisation” Crosby textor, though. Their shock find is exactly the same colour of discourse that was bandied about in New Zealand… hm?
There will be no mention of the fact, in their exit polls following the national elections, I am sure, that Abbott is one of the most unapologetic ‘negative campaigners’ out there, will there?
I wonder if Gerry Brownlee will ever get a job as a Diplomat?
How many staff had to clean up the mess Brownlee made with Finland?
@ Waterboy
No but Brownlee might well have been acting in accordance with McCully’s agenda as per Grant’s link.
” The twelve European posts currently carry a combined operating budget of $64 m. This reflects the very substantial trade and diplomatic interests that characterise New Zealand’s relationships with Europe, and …. It is my view we should attempt to significantly update our profile. A target of removing 12m in operating costs …”
Well done Gerry !
The Scottish are having a referendum soon, it would be interesting to see some McCully inspired preemptive parliamentary diplomacy, if done really well we might be able to save millions of as yet unbudgeted MFAT dollars.
Does Gerry actually want the MFAT position because he has misunderstood that it is an acronym???
LOL
and the fight with Thinland ! 
It will be interesting to see if brownlee and bennet declare conflicts of interest if a ‘pie shop and bakeries’ bill ever comes before the house.
I see Murray is back. He seems to have aged. He’s been gone longer than I thought!