I think the real question is, Henry, who in her or his right mind would want to be a politician? My feeling regarding Shane Reti was that, from the time Judith Collins introduced "Dr Shane", he was out of his depth. I have not changed that opinion. The events of the last year of so have even caused me to question his integrity. I have wondered how he must have felt when NZ First torpedoed the successful and world-recognised progress NZ was making on anti-smoking policies, how he must have felt when Willis torpedoed the plans for Dunedin Hospital citing blatantly spurious cost overruns. How he must have felt when Lester Levy was appointed Commissioner over Health with his record of dubious economic and financial decisions. Then there is the other question—will Brown fare any better? As Garry Moore points out, he tends to issue orders, ignoring information and evidence. We shall see, but I'm not holding my breath!
My experience in admittedly local politics, was that I was most effective when I could consult people outside the political community who could supply me with trustworthy information and advice. It is essential to work in politics from an informed position than just as a political animal. I think the health portfolio could/will sink Brown as he has a track record of issuing orders and ignoring data and advice. The health portfolio is one which requires intelligence and the ability to understand and listen to knowledgeable advice.
I hear that Reti wasn’t a good GP. He says the expected words but lack character to do what is right. All the austerity he pushed on to the health system is costing us dearly. Eg delaying care just costs more in the long run. Costs more money and reduces quality of life
Cutting money from the IT budget makes the system inefficient and vulnerable to attack and failure
You seemed to mistake his politeness for competence
Reti - and his fellow National Party cabinet ministers - are guilty of possibly criminal negligence in the unexpected cancelling of the Smokefree legislation and its associated initiatives. They didn't campaign on this. And so to cancel a policy that was all about saving thousands of lives through avoiding preventable deaths, then to be party to a coalition that hid the real cost of all the new smoking related deaths that will occur, is beyond unethical. Just like trying to shift costs to another year's budget to make yourselves look better. Or to cancel the promised rebuild of Dunedin Hospital (that they did campaign on) on the basis of a manufactured crisis. Reti signed up to-, and was the front person to this. In fact he was sitting right there next to Lester Levy while they tried to cook the books. It's not that whether Reti's an effective politician that's in doubt; it's his integrity.
The Peter Principle, it applies In politics just as it does in business. I first learned of it in high school, when a new headmaster, in a moment of weakness , explained to our 7th form class, that the reward for being an excellent teacher, is to become a mediocre or bad administrator. He regretted his move, but saw no way back.
I’ve seen it ever since. Some are honest, and resign the appointment. Some, the narcissists, bully their way through blaming subordinates for their own mistakes. Such is politics.
The Health portfolio (even more so than the Education one) is a poisoned chalice. It will sink any real not overly political “mensch” and even the real political “animal” (yes, I am showing my colours / disdain here) is lucky to come away with its hide only slightly scarred (Hipkins springs to mind and I suspect he only survived because of the billions that government spent on spreading health propaganda).
I’d like to point to the real problem mentioned in passing in the article: “[…] getting things done in Wellington is complicated.” I’m no fan of Trump but his first campaign’s slogan “Drain the Swamp” pops up in my mind more and more as this government struggles to tame the Bureaucratic Beast.
In historical terms, Reti is actually quite an outlier in being a doctor and minister of health - the only other instances of that in recent times were Jonathan Coleman (2014-17) and Ayesha Verrall. Before that I don't believe there has been a health minister who was a medical doctor since Maui Pomare in the 1920s.
The outstanding health minister of recent times was probably Tony Ryall. Of course he had the advantage of being in the portfolio in relatively benign economic circumstances.
I think the real question is, Henry, who in her or his right mind would want to be a politician? My feeling regarding Shane Reti was that, from the time Judith Collins introduced "Dr Shane", he was out of his depth. I have not changed that opinion. The events of the last year of so have even caused me to question his integrity. I have wondered how he must have felt when NZ First torpedoed the successful and world-recognised progress NZ was making on anti-smoking policies, how he must have felt when Willis torpedoed the plans for Dunedin Hospital citing blatantly spurious cost overruns. How he must have felt when Lester Levy was appointed Commissioner over Health with his record of dubious economic and financial decisions. Then there is the other question—will Brown fare any better? As Garry Moore points out, he tends to issue orders, ignoring information and evidence. We shall see, but I'm not holding my breath!
My experience in admittedly local politics, was that I was most effective when I could consult people outside the political community who could supply me with trustworthy information and advice. It is essential to work in politics from an informed position than just as a political animal. I think the health portfolio could/will sink Brown as he has a track record of issuing orders and ignoring data and advice. The health portfolio is one which requires intelligence and the ability to understand and listen to knowledgeable advice.
I hear that Reti wasn’t a good GP. He says the expected words but lack character to do what is right. All the austerity he pushed on to the health system is costing us dearly. Eg delaying care just costs more in the long run. Costs more money and reduces quality of life
Cutting money from the IT budget makes the system inefficient and vulnerable to attack and failure
You seemed to mistake his politeness for competence
Reti - and his fellow National Party cabinet ministers - are guilty of possibly criminal negligence in the unexpected cancelling of the Smokefree legislation and its associated initiatives. They didn't campaign on this. And so to cancel a policy that was all about saving thousands of lives through avoiding preventable deaths, then to be party to a coalition that hid the real cost of all the new smoking related deaths that will occur, is beyond unethical. Just like trying to shift costs to another year's budget to make yourselves look better. Or to cancel the promised rebuild of Dunedin Hospital (that they did campaign on) on the basis of a manufactured crisis. Reti signed up to-, and was the front person to this. In fact he was sitting right there next to Lester Levy while they tried to cook the books. It's not that whether Reti's an effective politician that's in doubt; it's his integrity.
Who wrote this for you? Asking for a friend.
💯
In Opposition Reti's ride alongs in ambulances and drop ins to busy EDs without notice recealed a lack of ethics and political skills.
Exactly why we need more climate policy experts in parliament (preferably with a background in student unionism)
Is there somewhere on a professional social network I can read more about this?
The Peter Principle, it applies In politics just as it does in business. I first learned of it in high school, when a new headmaster, in a moment of weakness , explained to our 7th form class, that the reward for being an excellent teacher, is to become a mediocre or bad administrator. He regretted his move, but saw no way back.
I’ve seen it ever since. Some are honest, and resign the appointment. Some, the narcissists, bully their way through blaming subordinates for their own mistakes. Such is politics.
Love this! Thanks so much!
It used to be said the health portfolio was given to the PM’s rival in order to break them.
The Health portfolio (even more so than the Education one) is a poisoned chalice. It will sink any real not overly political “mensch” and even the real political “animal” (yes, I am showing my colours / disdain here) is lucky to come away with its hide only slightly scarred (Hipkins springs to mind and I suspect he only survived because of the billions that government spent on spreading health propaganda).
I’d like to point to the real problem mentioned in passing in the article: “[…] getting things done in Wellington is complicated.” I’m no fan of Trump but his first campaign’s slogan “Drain the Swamp” pops up in my mind more and more as this government struggles to tame the Bureaucratic Beast.
Awesome piece Henry
In historical terms, Reti is actually quite an outlier in being a doctor and minister of health - the only other instances of that in recent times were Jonathan Coleman (2014-17) and Ayesha Verrall. Before that I don't believe there has been a health minister who was a medical doctor since Maui Pomare in the 1920s.
The outstanding health minister of recent times was probably Tony Ryall. Of course he had the advantage of being in the portfolio in relatively benign economic circumstances.