Theft as a Servant
Politicians are the Civil Servants of the public. In the private sector for a new employee an employment contract is in general given to read,study and sign, for example a pump attendant for Shell or any other company. Some contracts ask, does the recipient understand the terms of employment fully and the terms set out by the company. Finally if the employee accepts such terms and agrees, signs the contract.
As with politicians, who are sworn in and pledge to serve the country, have terms and rule books for behaviour as a servant to the company: in this case the company is the country New Zealand.
The ministerial rule book for politicians given to all ministers arriving into New Zealand parliament outline codes of practice. For example ;
‘use of a credit card for personal expenditure ( regardless of the intent to reimburse) is not permitted ‘
Ministers of the New Zealand Government ( National MP’s) some of the highest paid civil servants who claim of mistakenly billing their ministerial credit card, one would have assumed these so called intelligent men leading the country would know which credit card they passed over for payment purchasing personal items for themselves, family, or for entertaining associated colleagues.
The billing costs for the three Ministers MP Phil Hartley, MP Gerry Brownlee, MP Tim Groserhave been publicly identified for billing three thousand dollars plus for personal use to the ministerial credit cards.
Ignorance of the law, or rules, or terms of contract of employment is no excuse, and an a excuse “it was a mistake” generally the excuse ‘it was a mistake ‘ is used only when caught. A lame excuse for an excuse.
There is no excuse, the deliberate misuse of a credit card is theft or fraud. In the private sector the employees employment would be terminated by instant dismissal, and criminal charges bought against them.
Politicians should be no different to any other member of the public and should face the consequences of the their behaviour.
Is it not a theft by a servant?
A long time after event. But I couldn’t agree more. Politician’s are subject to the same basic rules as the rest of us. They should happily accept that as public representatives they are to be keeping a higher standard. One that should be above reproach.
Richard Alderman
12 Aug 11 at 9:00 pm