Speaking notes for the first reading of the State Sector Amendment Bill
Mr Speaker; as the Minister responsible for three of the departments concerned - Internal Affairs, the National Library and Archives New Zealand I'm very pleased to speak in support of this Bill.
I've worked hard on this integration over the last 12 months.
These three agencies share natural synergies. They all have a common focus on using digital technology, and making public information widely accessible to citizens.
The principle behind this integration is simple. It will allow expertise and resources to be combined, while at the same time sharing back office costs.
Savings will be redirected into better frontline services for the public. The strengths and qualities of the three combined departments will serve the public well.
Since becoming Minister I've spent a lot of time talking and listening to stakeholders. I've had regular meetings and discussions with a variety of groups including:
•the Archives Council
•Guardians Kaitiaki of the Turnbull Library
•the Library and Information Advisory Commission
•the Friends of the Turnbull Library
•the National Library Society
•The PSA.
Key stakeholders were also given the opportunity to comment on a draft of this Bill before it was finalised, and I'm pleased this legislation addresses nearly all of the concerns raised.
The Government has always made it clear that this integration is not about changing the major roles and functions of the departments concerned, and the legislation confirms this.
In particular, the independence and integrity of the Chief Archivist is safeguarded. This position will be responsible to the Chief Executive of the new integrated department and will be protected from any improper influence in performing its independent statutory functions.
It is important to maintain the principle of an independent check on government recordkeeping.
There are plenty of examples from around the world where the Chief Archivist works in a variety of different models, with their independence preserved. For example:
•In Australia the Archive function sits within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio
•In the UK within the Ministry of Justice
•In Ireland as part of Arts, Sport and Tourism.
Likewise, the National Librarian will also be responsible to the chief executive of the new Department, and the status and statutory functions of this role will remain.
Once again, there are many examples of a statutory officer reporting to a chief executive without their independence or integrity being affected.
Within the Department of Internal Affairs these include:
•the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages
•the Chief Executive of the Local Government Commission
•the Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management.
The Chief Librarian of the Alexander Turnbull Library will also be appointed by the Chief Executive of the new Department, on the recommendation of the National Librarian.
Once again, the functions and roles of this position will not change. He or she will still be responsible to the National Librarian for performing those functions.
The Alexander Turnbull Library's role will remain as a guardian of our heritage and history.
A Crown Law Opinion confirms that the nature of services provided by Archives New Zealand and the National Library will remain the same.
I note that even the Public Service Association (PSA) have welcomed this bill. They have welcomed the protection of these statutory roles, and the efforts to reduce fragmentation in the public sector.
The day after integration occurs I expect that services and functions for the public will be the same as they were the day before.
Overall, the changes in this bill for Archives New Zealand and the National Library are largely technical and minimal.
The Bill amends the National Library Act 2003 and the Public Records Act 2005 to reflect the change in legal status of these agencies.
This Bill represents the next chapter in what is an exciting future for all three agencies. It builds on other work by the government to modernise how we store and preserve information and keep-up with the latest technology.
Earlier this year I was very proud to announce $12.6 million in new Budget funding to develop a Government Digital Archive.
This is a major investment for Archives New Zealand and the National Library to ensure that public records are available now and in the future.
We also have a $52 million project underway to modernise the National Library, including a major project to upgrade the Wellington building.
Recently I opened a new $1.9 million Auckland centre for the National Library.
This shows how seriously this Government values the work of both agencies, and it endorses the important digitisation work already underway.
This integration will provide even more opportunities to improve how we manage public information and serve the public.
The Department of Internal Affairs is a strong, professional and well functioning department. Archives New Zealand and the National Library will soon have access to a greater range of resources and expertise than they've ever had before.
I would urge the supporters of these institutions to embrace this opportunity and consider how we can maximise these benefits.
I look forward to hearing more about this during the Select Committee process.
Thank you.