Armstrong on Key
March 21st, 2009 at 6:55 pm by David FarrarJohn Armstrong looks at John Key:
John Key may have portrayed himself as a moderate pragmatist in Opposition – indeed he is still doing exactly that as Prime Minister – but he is still the leader of a party, the fundamental ethos of which is firmly centre-right.
Yep John Key is a centrist, but he is a centre-right centrist.
Those who argue National was a wolf in sheep’s clothing before last November’s election point to what has occurred subsequently – public service spending cuts, the overhaul of ACC, the privatisation of prisons, the unsympathetic treatment of TVNZ, the review of the Overseas Investment Act, the stop on contributions to the Cullen superannuation fund and the hard line on the financial performance of state-owned enterprises – to name but a few things.
The spending cuts, ACC changes, and private prisons were all well known before the election. Labour never told TVNZ to stop paying a dividend so I don’t regard the fact they just because they practise hypocrisy in Opposition, that National should fall into line.
The other policy which highlighted National’s real intentions was its manifesto commitment to revamp the public service. Key may have made reassuring noises that National was going to freeze existing staff numbers overall rather than cutting them. But National’s intention to put more resources into the “front-line” necessarily meant cutbacks in the Wellington bureaucracy. It also meant that if some departments needed more staff, others would have to cut their staffing levels. The policy was transparent on where these should come from by highlighting the explosion in policy analysts and public relations, communication and media staff.
Yep. If there is an overall freeze on staff numbers, it was always inevitable that some agencies would have reductions as others needed to grow.
Internal factors may be forcing the pace. Key is results-driven. He does not stand still. He has written to all his ministers asking them to spell out their priorities. He intends to talk to them about their portfolio work and actual or potential problems. This performance review style of management increases the pressure on ministers not only to deliver, but to look tough and in control.
The real interesting thing will be what will Key do, when a Minister doesn’t perform (and inevitably there will be at least one or two). Now Ministers won’t get moved in and out every few months, but I suspect a second term Key Government (if there is one) would have quite significant changes from a first term. And we may even see a few significant changes during the first term.
But all this ignores the other half of the right-left ledger. Such things as increasing the minimum wage, financial help for the unemployed and those on a nine-day fortnight, stopping the SIS monitoring MPs without good cause, fixing up state houses, continuing with the electrification of Auckland rail, being relaxed about flying a Maori flag on Waitangi Day …
On those scores, the Key Government not only echoes its Labour predecessor, it surpasses it in some instances. It is a world away in ideological terms from National during Ruth Richardson’s heyday.
Yep. And some of its opponents don’t get that yet.
It is highly interventionist, in part because of the recession. But nowhere as much as Sir Robert Muldoon was.
Thank the Lord!
March 21st, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Yes, this is a very interventionist Government. It is intervening in places where it has no right, such as the public service! How dare Key and his ministers try to put there fingers into this plum pie! The bucolic service is sacred and independent. Holy Cow! What next? Key may even suggest that the Govt has the right to decide how much public servants get paid!
Vote:March 21st, 2009 at 8:06 pm
For what it is worth I think John is doing a good job. I feel sorry for the poor bugger, he got left the farm and a three legged dog, a sharp stick, a heap of shit and a big hill. Having said that there is one thing that he should remember, LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE and always remember to be humble.
Vote:March 21st, 2009 at 8:08 pm
This is very much John Key’s government who has a distinct style of doing things. Ministers are expected to fall into line. Gone is the bossy way of doing things, John expects more subtlety in the manner Ministers operate. I think National supporters are very impressed with the skill the Prime Minister clearly has as a politician. John has not found his full potential yet as Prime Minister but he is having fun trying, this and that. He has always wanted to be a politician and he is showing great skill with his very “New Zealand” style. As I have said before, and will continue saying he is my ideal Prime Minister.
Vote:March 21st, 2009 at 8:14 pm
So which ministries should Key abolish altogether? Have a look at the A list, only B-Z to go…
I just googled govt ministries: got to
http://newzealand.govt.nz/directory
Asia New Zealand Foundation
Vote:Accident Compensation Corporation
Accounting Standards Review Board
Animal Control Products Limited
Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust
AgResearch Limited
Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of
Airways Corporation of New Zealand Limited
Air New Zealand
Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand
Alexander Turnbull Library, part of National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa
Animal Control Products Limited
Antarctica New Zealand
Aoraki Polytechnic
Ara Whakahaere, see Leadership Development Centre
ARC, see Auckland Regional Council
Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa
Asia 2000 Foundation of New Zealand, see Asia New Zealand Foundation
AsureQuality Limited
Auckland College of Education, see University of Auckland
Auckland District Health Board
Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Council
Audit New Zealand, part of Office of the Controller and Auditor-General
Aviation Security Service, part of Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
March 21st, 2009 at 8:36 pm
A good 1/4 of that should be gutted.
Vote:March 21st, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Hmm, how do I reconcile Armstrongs article with the substandards assessment that Key is a Vampire (it seems little steve pierson hasnt really hung up his keyboard).
Oh yes, the substandard is a folly and the EPMU is the fool.
Vote:March 21st, 2009 at 9:50 pm
“He has always wanted to be a politician….”
I believe this and in a good way.
“and he is showing great skill with his very “New Zealand” style. ”
What Key isn’t is a social engineer. At least, we think he’s not. He projects himself as not wanting to direct society but improve the common man’s lot, esp his children. I’ve never seen a PM who’s so child focused. He has certainly showed a pattern in child issues.
The major difference between him and Muldoon I see so far is that Key doesn’t project economics as complicated.
In fact, economics isn’t his be all thrust. He doesn’t talk finance speak in his every day repotoire. He leaves the technical talk to the appropriate minister.
He addresses the world down turn, but in every day terms showing a transparency in his demeanoir. At the same time he doesn’t use vague statements and double ententre’s. Very original leadership.
In the area of originality, he makes the office of PM look relevant to the leading of the country instead of the dictates of the World bank or IMF. The socialists hugely gave the impression they were at the heed of international doctrines and agenda’s.
I’m not sure if we aren’t, but it now appears we aren’t
Maybe that’s a worse thing. False sense of security etc.
Vote:March 22nd, 2009 at 11:19 am
I think John Key does need to be careful not to overexpose himself. At present he is a breath of fresh air, but it seems like every issue that comes up , there is Key fronting it. If he keeps on doing that people will get sick of him. Better to ration himself a little more so he lasts longer.
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