Key Takeaways
- Carolyn Young, the Retail NZ chief executive, has quit Paul Goldsmith’s ministerial advisory group on retail crime due to differences with the board’s chair, Sunny Kaushal.
- The group has faced criticism over its value for money, including the costs of catering and office space.
- Despite the resignation, the group still has some ideas to discuss, including audio-visual surveillance, before winding up this year.
- The group has come up with ideas about bringing back order to the streets, citizens’ arrest powers, shoplifting infringement regimes, and strengthening trespass laws.
- The ministerial advisory group now has only two members left, Sunny Kaushal and Ash Parmar.
Introduction to the Ministerial Advisory Group
The ministerial advisory group on retail crime, established by Paul Goldsmith, has been facing some challenges lately. The group, which aims to provide advice on how to tackle retail crime, has seen the resignation of its member, Carolyn Young, the Retail NZ chief executive. Young cited differences with the board’s chair, Sunny Kaushal, as the reason for her resignation. This development has raised some questions about the effectiveness and value for money of the group.
The Resignation of Carolyn Young
According to Young, the dairy owners’ group had responded to her concerns by putting out a press release with made-up information, personally attacking her and her professionalism. She also stated that Kaushal was unprepared to do anything about it, simply laughing it off and saying that these things happen. This incident highlights the challenges that the group has been facing, including internal conflicts and disagreements. Young’s resignation is not the only one, as Foodstuffs North Island senior manager Lindsay Rowles and Michael Hill national retail manager Michael Bell also quit late last year. However, Goldsmith attributed their resignation to promotions at work and other commitments.
The Group’s Productivity and Ideas
Despite the challenges, Goldsmith acknowledged that the group has been productive and has come up with some ideas to tackle retail crime. These ideas include bringing back order to the streets, citizens’ arrest powers, shoplifting infringement regimes, and strengthening trespass laws. The group still has some ideas to discuss, including audio-visual surveillance, before winding up this year. Goldsmith also defended Kaushal, describing him as "full on" and "absolutely fierce in defending the victims of crime, particularly mum and dad shop owners who have been facing violent crime for a long period of time."
The Group’s Value for Money
The ministerial advisory group has faced criticism over its value for money, including the costs of catering and office space. However, Kaushal downplayed the significance of the changes, stating that they "reflect normal leadership movement in any organisation." He also emphasized that the work of the group continues, despite the resignation of some members. The group now has only two members left, Kaushal and Ash Parmar, and it will be interesting to see how they will move forward and implement their ideas.
Conclusion and Future Plans
In conclusion, the ministerial advisory group on retail crime has been facing some challenges, including internal conflicts and criticism over its value for money. Despite these challenges, the group has come up with some ideas to tackle retail crime, and it will be interesting to see how they will be implemented. The group’s future plans include discussing audio-visual surveillance and winding up this year. It remains to be seen how the group will operate with only two members left and whether they will be able to achieve their goals. Nevertheless, the group’s efforts to tackle retail crime are commendable, and their ideas have the potential to make a positive impact on the community.
