Susan St John of Business School at the University of Auckland, has raised a number of questions about policy-making by the current Government, and suggests that ‘political compromises are now more important than principle’ in public policy. She writes an opinion piece in the NZ Herald, of which the opening is the most critical:
What has happened to the policy-making process in New Zealand? The facade of consultation hides the arbitrary decision-making power of the executive. Either major decisions are made without consultation, such as the student loans and Working for Families announcements pre-election, or consultation is sought, but not on the options finally adopted. The latest shock is the KiwiSaver legislation, which makes a mockery of the consultation process.
