Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The Public Service Commission is undertaking an independent review of its purchase of social media adverts, which related to public sector negotiations.
Labour raised concern about the Facebook ad campaign running in the lead up to the 23 October "mega-strike", questioning whether they were appropriate for a politically neutral department.
Ads run by the Public Service Commission on Facebook about October's 'mega strike'. Photo: Public Service Commission
In early November, Labour MP Camilla Belich wrote to the Auditor-General to request it investigate the "absolutely unbelievable" decision, accusing the government of weaponising the Commission against striking workers.
In a response published online on Monday, the public spending watchdog Grant Taylor said he had been advised by the Commission that it was engaging an external party to carry out a review, acknowledging potential lessons.
"I expect the review to be comprehensive, robust and transparent, and I have communicated this expectation to the Commissioner," Taylor said.
"We will consider the outcome of the review and, if necessary, carry out further work at that stage."
Taylor said the Commission's ad purchase involved a relatively small amount of public money, but was "inherently sensitive" given the principle of a politically neutral public service.
PSA's national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
In a statement, the Public Service Association (PSA) said the review was the right move given the Commission's "damaging lack of judgement" over the ad campaign.
"A politically neutral public service is of paramount importance in our democracy. Using public funds to run adverts against striking workers crossed a line," PSA's national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said.
"This situation could have been avoided entirely if the Commission had been genuinely committed to good faith bargaining with health unions rather than running public relations campaigns."
Ads run by the Public Service Commission on Facebook about October's 'mega strike'. Photo: Public Service Commission
RNZ has sought further comment from the Public Service Commission.
In October, a spokesperson for the Commission said the purpose of the ads was to provide public information about disruption to services and what was being done to prevent further disruption.
It said the cost of those ads was about $250 and it was appropriate to share factual information with the public about collective bargaining.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
