April 09, 2013
Parata staffing woes highlighted
The Labour Party is zeroing in on cabinet minister Hekia Parata’s record as an employer, as it attacks her handling of the Education portfolio.
The ministry paid $425,000 to former Education Secretary, Lesley Longstone, who quit because her relationship with the minister had broken down, and a senior private secretary laid a personal grievance against Ms Parata.
Now information provided by Speaker David Carter shows five staff worked in Ms Parata’s office in 2010 and 2011, lasting an average of four and a half months.
Staff in her electorate office last an average nine months.
Labour education spokesperson, Chris Hipkins says it’s evidence of her poor leadership style and she is incapable of forming the wide network of collaborative, trusting relationships that a successful Minister of Education needs.
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