Read the full report
The SSC has released its conclusions and the full report into Clare Curran.
Read the conclusions first about how there was nothing improper, and then read the full report. Just amazing. Here are some salient points:
- David Parker suggested Curran be hired at a meeting on 11 May
- Parker then called Curran to say he had put her name forward and that the Ministry would/might call her
- Then Parker’s private secretary e-mailed three senior Managers with Curran’s details and the Minister’s “suggestion” they meet her late that week and that they engage her “now” as someone else was leaving
- During her visit to Wellington Curran met with Parker as well as the Ministry
- The Minister’s private secretary e-mailed the CEO’s PA and referred to Curran as Parker’s “right-hand woman” and seeking a meeting for Curran with the CEO
- The Senior Media Advisor said he was told by both the Advisor and the Manager –
Communications that Curran was going to be engaged by the Minister’s office and
located within the Ministry where she would oversee the Ministry’s climate change
communications work. - The contract was uncontested, no formal interview was held, and no referee checks undertaken.
- There was widespread speculation in the Ministry that Curran’s connection to the
Minister was the reason for her appointment, and this was never ever challenged by management. - The communications team referred to the Curran as having been appointed by the Minister, including in a written report.
- One of her briefing notes to the Minister talked about how to minimise the risk of negative comment from the Greens.
The conclusions are straight from Yes Minister.