Murray McCully might not have more than 50 members in his electorate but he is showing the way with budget savings in his department:
Most of the Ministry and Foreign Affairs 600 staff will have to reapply for their jobs under a radical restructuring proposal that could see up to 300 jobs go and lucrative allowances for staff on overseas postings whittled back to boost pay packets back home.
Staff will be told on Thursday about proposals to cull up to 50 diplomatic positions by closing embassies in cities including Stockholm and Warsaw, and downsizing others.
As many as 140 overseas-based administration jobs and around 100 corporate positions – some based in Wellington and the rest on secondment overseas – are also in line to be axed and some of those functions contracted out.
Under the most radical proposal, up to 600 positions engaged in work outside MFAT’s overseas development aid arm – most of the ministry’s core staff – will be advertised and staff told to reapply.
Sources say the proposals are an attempt to shake up a ministry which awards promotions based on pecking order and seniority.
