Tinetti ordered to apologise

The Herald reports:

Education Minister Jan Tinetti has escaped being held in contempt of Parliament – but has been told to apologise for her “high degree of negligence” in misleading the House.

Parliament’s privileges committee has released its report into the matter today.

Tinetti was referred to the committee at the end of May for not correcting a false statement quickly enough.

Tinetti had told Parliament in February that she had no responsibility for the release of school attendance data. She was told later that day by staff did, in fact, have input into the timing of the release.

The staff had more than input. They effectively instructed the Ministry to delay the release.

The Privileges Committee concluded that Tinetti’s actions were more due to incompetence than dishonesty. Probably a fair call, but of course rather alarming as she is in charge of our education system.