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We should be told what officers think
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From Kevin Keen
IN spite of protestations to the contrary, one cannot help wondering if recent policy changes (communicated as reacting to global events) are actually due to the forthcoming elections.
After all there was ample evidence of significant inflationary pressures when the States rejected Senator Norman’s proposition to defer GST in April 2008.
Short-term politicking around election time could be avoided or highlighted if the advice of relevant senior officials (chief officers, treasurer, economic adviser etc) was published at the same time as each ministerial decision. This requirement would mean that politicians would really need to be able to justify U-turns as based on changing circumstances and professional advice, rather than just keeping their jobs.
There would be another important advantage – taxpayers would be able to assess the quality of advice from the senior States employees who are well paid for providing that advice. For example, the States Chief Executive receives remuneration of over £230,000 per year, quite a bit more than his boss the Chief Minister!
Public sector employees also enjoy guaranteed jobs for life, final salary pension schemes and probably the opportunity to retire (on those very expensive pensions) before most of us. Surely in return for these generous rewards we should know what the non-political servants of the public actually think about important policy decisions.
Vue des Champs,
Clos de la Porte,
St John.
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