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Green Party comment on MFAT restructuring announcement

Friday 24 February 2012, 9:03AM

By Green Party

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Comments from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Chief Executive John Allen suggest the future direction of New Zealand’s foreign policy will be dominated by purely trade interests, Green Party Foreign affairs spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham said today.

“The restructuring at MFAT seems aimed at replacing foreign policy staff with those who will put business interests first,” said Dr Graham.

“The foreign affairs component of the Ministry – democracy and human rights, security and disarmament – risks being consumed by the trade arm.

“The restructuring of MFAT announced today is really a massive cutback.

“Staff morale will be at rock bottom with nearly a quarter of staff having to reapply for their jobs.

“New Zealand’s reputation as a country with a proudly independent foreign policy record risks being tarnished if we gut the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of experienced staff,” said Dr Graham.