ACT New Zealand proposes public service and education reforms

The ACT New Zealand party has proposed policy changes aimed at reforming the public service and education sectors. Key proposals include removing Section 73 of the Public Service Act, which currently requires government department chief executives to operate under the principle of being a ‘good employer’. ACT also seeks to remove spiritual and cultural obligations within the public service and mandate that services be delivered based on need rather than race.

The Public Service Association (PSA) has criticized these moves, stating that the policy aims to undermine public services and erode workers' rights. PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons argued that the government should act as an exemplar employer rather than removing requirements for fair and proper treatment.

In the education sector, ACT reported that reforms to school attendance have resulted in 11,579 previously unenrolled students returning to school in the first half of the year. Additionally, charter school enrolments have increased by 18 per cent over a six-month period.