They say that necessity is the mother of invention. Out of the Canterbury earthquakes emerged new ways of delivering public services. Borne out of necessity. Often difficulty or crisis is the only way that innovative change and real leadership occurs.
But let’s not rely on a crisis in order to create innovation in the public sector in New Zealand.
The 2012 Budget has proudly been announced as a zero budget, but increasingly it looks like we are robbing Peter to pay Paul. This only takes us so far. The reality is that NZ Inc and the New Zealand public sector faces perennial issues that will not diminish longer term.
The Budget confirmed the desire for a better public service, focussing on ten key delivery targets across the areas of reducing long-term welfare dependency, supporting vulnerable children, boosting skills and employment, reducing crime, and improving interaction with government. The detail in the budget was measured with further announcements to be made by 30 June 2012. Announcements in the Budget included an up-front investment in reforming welfare, reprioritising within Corrections towards prisoner rehabilitation, new health funding, and education.
However, the Budget does little to address the icebergs … the hidden part is the most dangerous. We were reminded again of this hazard as part of the centenary of the Titanic sinking. What lies below is what is scary despite everything on the surface looking picturesque.
So New Zealand faces its own future iceberg. What lies beneath the surface are the hard policy decisions on, for example, superannuation (with the impending “silver” tsunami), immigration. Not requiring musical chairs but a new boldness to address emerging policy issues and the need to have a step change in public service delivery and public service finances.
What is needed is leadership in innovation and the implementation of frameworks for development of innovative ideas. We would expect the government should:
Fundamentally the Budget has reshuffled the deckchairs to ensure we focus on getting the government books back into surplus by 2015/16. However, the policy changes required are more fundamental than this. Innovation and leadership is required by the Government to ensure a positive reshuffling of the deckchairs are not those on the Titanic.
Alastair Boult
National Director, Government Advisory
T +64 (0)4 495 1724
E Alastair.Boult@nz.gt.com