Source: Taxpayers Union
5 NOVEMBER 2020FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Taxpayers’ Union has written to Capital & Coast DHB CEO Fionnagh Dougan to enquire about an apparent conflict of interest affecting the appointment of a highly-paid executive.The letter can be read below, and on the Union’s website here.Dear Mrs Dougan,
The Taxpayers’ Union has serious concerns about CCDHB’s interview process for its new Director of Pacific Health.We understand that the DHB’s selection panel includes Tino Pereira, who chairs the Central Pacific Collective – a group that last year received a $1.35m contract from the previous Director of Pacific Health.In other words, Tino Pereira will have a say on hiring the person who will be responsible for evaluating his service delivery and potentially renewing his high-value contract.It appears to us to be a clear conflict of interest that creates a hazard for taxpayers: there is a risk that Mr Pereira hires someone favourable to his organisation, or simply that the appointee will feel indebted to him for their appointment to a position likely to pay in excess of $450,000.Our taxpayer-funded DHBs must studiously avoid any situation that could lead to an ‘I’ll scratch your back, you scratch mine’ approach to contracting.We want to know how this situation occurred and how you are managing it.Why has Mr Pereira been appointed to the selection panel, and by who?Has the DHB recognised this clear conflict of interest? If so how?Will the successful applicant recuse themselves from any decisions regarding Central Pacific Collective’s contracts?We await your response.
Yours sincerely,Louis HoulbrookeCampaigns ManagerAttachment: Evidence of Tino Pereira on selection panel
