Read this:
Hon Phil Goff: What analysis did Treasury do on the cost-effectiveness of the national cycleway scheme in producing jobs, and is he prepared to provide the Treasury analysis, oral and written, to members of this Parliament; if not, why not?
Hon JOHN KEY: Rigorous analysis was done.
Having read that, do you believe that (rigorous) analysis was done by Treasury on the cost-effectiveness of the cycleway?
Yes?
Well, you’ve been misled.
No Treasury cost/benefit analysis exists. Key misled you.
Idiot/Savant discovered this when he asked Key’s office, under the Official Information Act, to see the analysis Key claimed exists and they responded that no such analysis exists.
As I/S states: “the correct answer to Phil Goff’s question was in fact “none”. But that answer would have looked bad for the Prime Minister and his pet project, so instead of admitting it, he responded in a way designed to give the impression that a) there had been a cost-benefit analysis; and b) that analysis was performed by Treasury – both of which are false”
Key and his ministers need to realise that the privileging of governing is not a prize for winning a popularity contest.
We can’t have the people charged with administering our government breaking the law (Bully Bennett), rorting their allowances (Bludger Bill et al), ignoring constitutional convention (Key on Worth), governing by impulse rather than analysis (Key – cycleway), or purposely deceiving Parliament and the public (Key – cycleway). Being government is not a licence to do whatever the hell you want.
Key might be about to get a sharp lesson in the consequences of governing dishonestly. Labour has taken a privileges compliant over his misleading answer. Now all eyes turn to Lockwood Smith. Will he upheld Parliament’s rule, which are meant to ensure ministers don’t lie to us? Or will he buckle to political expediency?
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