Should Clark have resigned?
Sean Plunket writes:
The question of this Minister’s removal is not a debateable point.
At a time when our government and authorities need to have a moral high ground and exercise an unimpeachable authority to ask great sacrifice of citizens this Dr of Theology’s fall from grace is beyond redemption.
His selfish bike ride is like a member of Churchill’s war cabinet hanging party lights on his house during the blitz.
He has insulted every health worker, police officer and citizen of this country and made a fool of his Prime Minister.
HDPA also writes:
The Health Minister doesn’t deserve to be fired.
But he should be fired.
Let’s be clear about the rule he’s broken.
Last week, retired Police Commissioner Mike Bush was asked whether someone could “go for a drive, say to the local beach or… a local park?” and replied “There’s a short answer to that – no.”
David Clark doesn’t deserve to be fired for breaking that rule, because the rule is arbitrary. Really, what is the difference between David Clark driving 2.3km to the park or biking 2.3km to the park? No one was hurt because he got in his car. He didn’t break his bubble.
But… what he deserves is different to what should happen.
The Prime Minister should fire him.
If she wants the rest of us to take these rules seriously for the next three weeks, she’s going to have to set an example.
Of course he didn’t. In fact he hasn’t even apologised to the public (only to the PM). And the PM suddenly cancelled her Friday press conference so she could avoid questions on Clark. Yet still had time to do a Skype interview with Nigel Latta, which was an interesting choice as back in February he was comparing coronavirus to the flu.
Sam Sachdeva also notes:
Clark did not help himself with an initial statement saying that “as a Health Minister I try to model healthy behaviour” – implying he should be praised rather than chastised for his break.
This partly explains why he has been effectively sidelined during this crisis, even though he should be one of those leading the response to it. You need good political judgement.