Public Service Commission’s risky behaviour concerning
The findings of a review of the Public Service Commission’s advertising condemning lawful strike action last year by tens of thousands of workers, including 21,000 PPTA members, should be of serious concern to all New Zealanders, says Chris Abercrombie, PPTA Te Wehengarua president.
“A politically neutral public service commission is a cornerstone of a healthy and functioning democracy. The fact that the Commission’s advertisements condemning lawful strike action have been found to have risked being seen as not politically neutral rings alarm bells for all of us who value democracy and workers’ legal rights in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“All around the world we are seeing so many examples of individuals’ and nations’ legal and democratic rights being abused at best and quashed at worst. The Public Service Commissioner being seen to play politics could understandably be perceived as the beginning of a slippery slope.
“In times like these, it is imperative that people in these positions are squeaky clean and that they are seen to abide by the rules that ensure a healthy democracy and enable workers to exercise their lawful rights.
“We hope that the Public Service Commissioner reflects carefully on the findings of this review and commits to acting more wisely in future.”
Last modified on Friday, 31 July 2026 13:51