I THINK most New Zealanders would agree that the media has an important role to play in holding our politicians to account. But what if a politician doesn't want to talk with the media? Such was the case last week with the 'shy and retiring' Brooke van Velden, Minister of Internal Affairs and for Workplace Relations and Safety.
Van Velden was, of course, in charge of guiding the pay equity repeal legislation through Parliament under urgency, but she was not keen to talk to any media that might have some searching questions for her to answer. So, on Wednesday, she 'wasn't available' to be interviewed by RNZ'S Morning Report. But she was available to be interviewed by Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking, a National Party cheerleader and a supporter of repealing the pay equity legislation.
The cosy relationship that the Government enjoys with Newstalk ZB was later highlighted during the parliamentary debate on the proposed legislation. Van Velden seemed taken aback that she was met with wails of derisive laughter from the opposition parties when she quoted Hosking in her defence of repealing the legislation. There was a brief moment when a flicker of emotion ran across the face of a politician who cannot be accused of being overly exuberant.
After the bill was passed, van Velden then declined to be interviewed by Jack Tame on the only local television interview show, Q+A. No reason was provided as to why she had decided to give the show a miss. Brooke van Velden is the deputy leader of an Act Party that has campaigned on the importance of 'accountability' and 'transparency'.
Despite being a Government Minister, van Velden does not feel obliged to answer questions from the media, unless that media supports her. In fact, she seems to think she can remain cocooned within Parliament surrounded by obliging staffers and officials and not have to explain her policies and views to 'the great unwashed'.
So, it's not surprising she's also given the union movement the middle finger as well. Despite being responsible for policies that impact on workers, van Velden refuses to talk with union representatives. That includes the CTU, which represents some 360,000 workers.
However, she has met with the right-wing and Zionist Free Speech Union. Van Velden is also a Zionist and, like her party, has not condemned Israel's genocidal war in Gaza.
CTU president Richard Wagstaff told RNZ in February: 'I just think she thinks it's not her job to meet with people.... she doesn't want to hear our view, she has a different view, she knows she has a different view - that for us is pro-employer and anti-worker - and I think there is a feeling of 'out of sight, out of mind' is what she is trying to get.'
My friend with Parkinsons was obliged to move into residential care because the agencies could not provide consistent support for her at home. She had been left sitting in a chair overnight on several occasions. Her needs are not complex and she could/should have been able to remain at home - which incidentally is the cheaper option for government. There is already an issue with the lack of community based care support workers, so what does the future hold for people requiring such support? Will more have to move into care facilities, leaving family and friends behind? Last week I emailed both van Velden and the minister for the elderly - Cassie Costello. Costello replied saying she had forwarded my email to van Velden to deal with. So far, van Velden has not replied to either of my emails. The implications of this failure to stick to the not so long ago agreed upon pay equity guidelines of both Nat and Labour are of importance, not just for the care givers, but also their patients and families, and, in fact, government, who will carry the increased cost for any person unnecessarily moved into residential care.
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