In office, the National government has displayed a strong culture of cronyism, but this one takes the cake. The Ministry of Health needed someone to establish a new Health Sector Forum. Conveniently, they hire the Deputy Prime Minister's brother - without advertising the contract. Stinky, neh?
The appointment may be above board, but because it wasn't advertised and all the details are secret, we can't have any faith in that. And its not something we should have to take on trust. There are established processes for ensuring that government appointments are made on merit and are not corrupt. If departments and Ministers don't follow them, then they only have themselves to blame if we draw the natural conclusion.
