OIA game playing

The Chief Ombudsmen has put diplomacy to one side and in the annual report to Parliament has accused some public servants of game playing with the Official Information Act.

This is what people mean when they refer to the politicisation of the public service.

Some public servants playing games with OIA requests

The Office of the Ombudsmen is concerned some parts of the public service have been deliberately delaying responses to Official Information requests.

In the office’s Annual Report to Parliament, Chief Ombudsmen Beverley Wakem says the practice is unacceptable and subverts the purpose of the legislation.

Beverley Wakem says the Office has observed an increasing tendency by a few government departments and Ministerial offices to ignore the provisions of the Official Information Act over the timing of responses to requesters.

They should name and shame Departments and Offices who have been game playing.