Public deserves to know what's going on as Kiwibuild boss remains absent from work – Simon Bridges

December 11, 2018

The National Party leader says the public should know what is going on, after Minister Phil Twyford said he could not comment on the issue.

The situation around the departure of KiwiBuild chief executive is dysfunctional, says Simon Bridges, after the Government would not comment on details surrounding Stephen Barclay's absence from work.

When asked if the public deserve to know more about the situation the National Party leader said, "in general terms, yes". 

Yesterday the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development issued a statement saying chief executive Stephen Barclay is away from work but has not resigned.

Today Jacinda Ardern told TVNZ1's Breakfast it is inappropriate for her to comment on the issue .

"If there's something else going on, they can say that, we'd all respect that," Mr Bridges said.

He described the situation as "dysfunction, it's frustration". 

"In relation to KiwiBuild what we know is what a failure it is becoming."

Phil Twyford said he was first briefed on October 31 "that there were matters the chief executive of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development was looking into". 

"I was told at that point it would be better if I wasn't briefed on any of the details. I took that advice. About three weeks ago I was told that Mr Barclay was no longer at work."

"As has been reported there is an employment dispute between Mr Barclay and the Ministry."

He said he had told media everything he knew. 

"I don't manage the public servants, I'm simply advised by them."

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