The Curran scandal
It was revealed yesterday in Parliament that the Environment Ministry misled Parliament (technically the Minister did on their behalf) over the engagement of Clare Curran to do communications work on the recommendation of David Parker.
Here’s what NZPA reports as the true case:
- In 2005 Curran sought work with the Environment Ministry in the area of climate change communications and public awareness. She did not gain any work.
- Then in 2006 David Parker, the Climate Change Minister, recommended Curran to his officials.
- The Ministry lied about her winning the contract through a competitive tender. She was given a $24,000 contract for five weeks work with no tender.
- Her contract was verbal, not written.
- They engaged her without permission to enter into a contract without a tender.
Now remember Curran got this uncontested contract around the same time she was writing a “highly political paper” about Labour’s use of language in its fight to win re-election. And what is intended to be their main campaign issue – sustainability and climate change.
It is going to be fascinating to find out under the OIA, what Curran produced for her $24,000. Not that Curran is to blame – she has every right to seek communications work from Government Departments. The people to blame are David Parker and Hugh Logan.
November 21st, 2007 at 1:14 am
Looking on the bright side – if they had of gone to tender, several other suppliers would have had to spend potentially hours completing the tender document, arranging for verbal references to be available, being available for an interview or a presentation and, after all that cost, still had absolutely no chance of winning.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:06 am
What are the chances that someone might lose their job on this one? It seems that the more attention paid to this pack of clowns the worse it gets.
Those that know – What’s the likelihood that Logan is forced to resign?
November 21st, 2007 at 7:06 am
It’s not a lie. There’s nothing to see here. Move along, please.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:08 am
I wonder if Hugh Logan is budgeting for another “fine” – he should really be looking for another job, and I am sure that the Labour Party will snap him up – after all, he’s a “yes man”, he toes the party line, he contracts outside the rules, and has bouts of forgetfulness – heck, make him a Cabinet Minister!
November 21st, 2007 at 7:23 am
Nice try. Most tenders policies have a $50k threshhold. If the contract is less than $50k a formal tender is desirable but not required.
On the other hand, maybe zentiger is right, better an open rort than a fake tender process?
November 21st, 2007 at 7:44 am
Deity – and they did not have permission to not proceed with a tender when they gave her the contract. They broke their own rules.
And frankly – if the Minister has suggested someone – that is the very time you must have a tender, so make sure there is no interference.
November 21st, 2007 at 8:09 am
Fair enough. In my experience it is necessary to have an audit trail around any decision not to tender – but it can be a simple document. In this circumstance, as you point out, very very dumb not to have a demonstrably tidy process.
Almost like the agency is fundamentally inept in fact…?
I also note that the SSC has declined to investigate Mr Key’s formal request – I think this answers my question from the weekend doesn’t it?
November 21st, 2007 at 9:23 am
I hope Logan stays.
Imagine having someone really smart (and an “approved” candidate as far as the Minister is concerned) in that role. The Environment Ministry is one of the key areas planned for “spreading the gospel” in election year.
November 21st, 2007 at 9:43 am
Good point david!
November 21st, 2007 at 10:23 am
How long before we are told “Logan on stress leave”?
November 21st, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Jobs for the girls What else do we expect from the government of bad governance
November 21st, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Just watched TV3 News, who have unearthed a whistle-blower here in relation to the appointment of Claire Curran! Expect to see David Parker mysteriously absent from Parliament for the rest of the week!