Macindoe TimHon TIM MACINDOE (Minister of Customs): Joanne Harrison's criminal behaviour was calculated it was serious and it was unforgivable. She is now rightly serving a lengthy prison sentence for her dishonesty. Many people have been hurt by her fraudulent actions and I want to start today by acknowledging the four former Ministry of Transport staff members in particular who have suffered professional disadvantage as a consequence of her actions. They have received an apology from the State Services Commissioner and the State Services Commissioner will ensure that they get the appropriate redress in these circumstances. They should never have been disadvantaged for doing the right thing and speaking up. It is vital that public servants who think they see someone doing the wrong thing or doing something illegal can speak up without fear. In that regard I echo the comments that we have just had from the Hon Annette King and from other speakers who have contributed to this debate today.As Mrs King and others have noted we have an excellent Public Service in New Zealand. Public servants should never be disadvantaged for doing the right thing. That is why the State Services Commissioner has issued new standards for Government agencies on putting in place effective systems for staff to raise concerns. Successive Government speakers in this debate have echoed the findings of the former Deputy State Services Commissioner Sandi Beatie's inquiry into this very regrettable matter.I also want to acknowledge the hurt that Joanne Harrison's former colleagues have suffered as a result of her fraud and deceit because they are good people. For the last nearly 3 months I have had the privilege of serving as the Associate Minister of Transport so I have begun to get to know some of them well and I hold them in the very highest regard. I thank them for their excellent service to our country and for the important work that they are doing. They too deserved so much better from their dishonest colleague and they definitely do not deserve to be tarnished by her despicable actions. Again I agree with the comments that the Hon Annette King made in this regard.I am particularly proud of the fact that New Zealand is one of the most transparent and least corrupt countries in the world. We should all celebrate that and that is why it is particularly distressing to hear today of one of those isolated incidents of this type where the normal state of affairs has not prevailed. Our Public Service does an outstanding job and that is showing in so many different international rankings about freedom and transparency. Let me mention just one in the very recent 2017 Transparency International survey which found that we are the equal least corrupt country. Is that not something that we can be proud of as New Zealanders? So when something of this nature happens—and fortunately it is so very very rare—it is important that we learn from the experience and take appropriate remedial action. That is what has happened in this case.So let me just conclude this debate because I think the issues have been well and truly traversed by all who have contributed and I thank members across the House for some very thoughtful contributions in the last hour and a bit that we have had to discuss this matter. Let me just repeat the three really important things that are the Ministry of Transport's response to the State Services Commissioner's whistleblower report. Firstly the Secretary for Transport has considered the issues that have been raised by the State Services Commissioner and is in the process of resolving them with the individuals concerned. It is important that the public understand that so that they can have confidence that everything that could be done in the circumstances is being done to put things right by those most directly affected.Secondly the ministry is committed to working with the State Services Commission to help make sure it has the best-practice systems in place so that staff can raise concerns safely so they can be looked into and addressed because we have to have a climate in which people who are put in that sort of position can speak out honestly and without fear that they will suffer repercussions.Thirdly the ministry's guidance on protected disclosures is reviewed each year and the Secretary for Transport has given public assurances that the systems and processes for escalating issues of concern are fully compliant with the State Services Commission's standards.So as I say this is a very regrettable totally unsatisfactory incident perpetrated by a criminal person. I do not believe she was stupid; I believe her actions were deeply calculated and that is why it is right that the actions that have been taken are being taken and that the lessons from the State Services Commission's report are heeded and implemented.The debate having concluded the motion lapsed.