MEDIA RELEASE
Latest appointment to Treasury board bizarre

18 SEPTEMBER 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In light of recent concerns over a lack of economic expertise, it’s odd that Treasury has appointed a brand and marketing expert to its board, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.

Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says “As has been highlighted by Eric Crampton and both internal and external surveys on Treasury’s performance, Treasury is developing a shortage of technical expertise, which is undermining its professional capability. A technically strong Treasury is crucial to providing effective economic advice and guidance to the Government and other public-sector organisations.”

“Livia Esterhazy would be a strong appointment to a number of other public or private sector boards, but right now Treasury needs more economists and technical experts. It is frankly just bizarre that Treasury Secretary Gabriel Makhlouf would seek a marketer, when every economic commentator in the country is concerned about the substance, not the spin, coming out of Number 1, The Terrace.”

ENDS

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