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What responsibility, if any, does the Public Service Commissioner have for ensuring that all members of the Public Service Leadership Team maintain political neutrality while carrying out their public responsibilities?

Answered Question 29617 (2026)
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Asked by

Kieran McAnulty

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • What responsibility, if any, does the Public Service Commissioner have for ensuring that all members of the Public Service Leadership Team maintain political neutrality while carrying out their public responsibilities?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government

Answer

Public service chief executives and boards of Crown agents are responsible for upholding the public service principles (including political neutrality) in section 10 of the Public Service Act 2020. In the case of public service chief executives, this responsibility is owed to the Commissioner.