Key Takeaways
- The Justice Minister is defending the chairperson of an advisory group on retail crime following a spate of resignations.
- Three of the five members on the Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime have resigned in recent weeks, citing untenable relationships with the chairperson, Sunny Kaushal.
- The group is led by Sunny Kaushal, who remains as chairman, with one other member remaining, Hamilton liquor retailer Ash Parmar.
- The Justice Minister, Paul Goldsmith, has stated that the group has been "productive" and that the work it has put forward is before the select committee and will make a difference.
- Labour’s police spokesperson, Ginny Andersen, has criticized the group, calling it "dysfunctional, directionless and failing".
Introduction to the Advisory Group
The Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime was established to provide advice to the government on how to combat retail crime. The group is led by Sunny Kaushal, who is also the chair of the Dairy & Business Owners Group and the president of the Crime Prevention Group. Recently, three of the five members of the group have resigned, citing untenable relationships with Kaushal. Despite the resignations, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has defended Kaushal, stating that the group has been "productive" and that its work will make a difference.
The Resignations
The resignations from the advisory group have been a significant blow to its credibility. Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young, who was one of the three business leaders advising the government on how to combat retail crime, said she quit because her relationship with Kaushal became untenable. Young’s departure follows that of Foodstuffs North Island senior manager Lindsay Rowles and Michael Hill national retail manager Michael Bell, who quit late last year. The resignations have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the group and its ability to provide useful advice to the government.
Response from the Justice Minister
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has defended Kaushal, stating that the group has been "productive" and that its work will make a difference. Goldsmith said that two of the resigning members were promoted into other positions, while one left, and that this was not the "crisis of the century". He also stated that the group was coming towards the end of its period, and that he would "take stock" about its future. Goldsmith’s comments suggest that he is committed to the group and its work, despite the resignations.
Criticism from Labour
Labour’s police spokesperson, Ginny Andersen, has been critical of the advisory group, calling it "dysfunctional, directionless and failing". Andersen has spoken to Young and believes that Kaushal’s behavior has been unacceptable and unprofessional. She has also stated that she has not seen the group do anything useful. Kaushal has hit back at Andersen’s comments, stating that she is highlighting her own failures and that the group has made significant progress in reducing retail crime.
The Future of the Advisory Group
The future of the advisory group is uncertain, given the resignations and the criticism it has faced. Goldsmith has stated that he will "take stock" about the group’s future, suggesting that it may be disbanded or reconstituted. However, Kaushal remains committed to the group and its work, stating that it has a busy year of new work ahead. The group’s ability to provide useful advice to the government will depend on its ability to work effectively and to rebuild its credibility.
Conclusion
The Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime has faced significant challenges, including the resignations of three of its five members. Despite these challenges, the Justice Minister has defended the group and its chairperson, Sunny Kaushal. However, the group’s credibility and effectiveness have been questioned, and its future is uncertain. The government will need to carefully consider the group’s role and its ability to provide useful advice, in order to ensure that it is able to effectively combat retail crime.
