pn766. Union leader "planted" on Air NZ Board?

 

This posting is moulded around John Athony's posting in Stuff (see link below.)

Remember the time when kindergarten teacher and later National Party leader Jenny Shipley was appointed to the board of a number of NZ companies?  

Now, the National Party’s shadow treasurer alleges a union leader appointed to Air New Zealand’s board was "planted" by the Government and has labelled the director “ill qualified”.  He says Government had shown “poor judgement” with the appointment. My opinion is that the union leader appears highly qualified and should be a valuable addition to the team.

The union leader is Paul Goulter, national secretary of New Zealand’s largest education union, NZEI Te Riu Roa, and a director of The Co-operative Bank.  He has 40 years of experience with unions in Australasia, including as secretary of the New Zealand Council for Trade Unions and general secretary of financial sector union Finsec.

Dame Therese Walsh, who chairs Air NZ, said appointments to the board were made by the chairperson and board following a thorough process. “Recommendations are discussed with the Minister of Finance in his capacity as shareholding minister,” Walsh said. The three new appointees were selected to provide further digital, strategic and employment relations expertise to support Air New Zealand’s “revive” phase, and to support management’s objectives of prioritising people and customers and investing in digital solutions that empower customers, she said.

The Government has a 52% shareholding in Air NZ and has provided a loan facility worth up to $1.5 billion to help it through the coronavirus pandemic.

Bayley said that Goulter’s appointment came after Finance Minister Robertson sent a letter to Air New Zealand in April (3 months ago) setting out the Government’s expectations from the airline, including to maintain domestic destinations, continue to meet environmental sustainability outcomes, and enhance its role as a leader for best workplace relations.  So what is Bayley actually saying? The expectations are unreasonable? Dame Therese has had the wool pulled over her eyes? The Board is being perverted? Shareholders will lose confidence and money? I think all of the above unlikely. It's time for National to stop nitpicking and follow ACT by coming forward with some policy.   -- ACW