Will Goff hire Brown?

The Herald reports:

Labour MP Phil Goff is not ruling out a job for outgoing Auckland mayor Len Brown if he wins the mayoralty, but says it is very unlikely in the short-term.

Goff told the Herald he has had no discussions with Brown and made no promises “full-stop”.

“I have not given consideration at all to any employment for the outgoing mayor,” he said.

But when pushed about a rumour he had promised a post-election job to Brown in exchange for stepping down, Goff would not definitively rule out a job in the future for the mayor.

Goff said if a job came up during his time as mayor he would choose the best person based on merit, including former mayors.

I’m pretty sure every other candidate would rule him out. I’m not aware of any major Council where a new Mayor has hired or appointed the old Mayor to a job. So why not just rule it out?

Certainly he should not rule out a job where it is appointed by the CEO, not the Mayor. If Len Brown wants to apply to be a town planner or ethnic community liaison officer he should be treated on his merits. But in terms of political appointments by Goff, he could state it won’t happen.