Cut jobs / play golf

Yesterday National made two announcements. Firstly announcing more public service job cuts with the merger of the back-office functions of three government departments. Treasury, the State Services Commission and Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet will amalgamate their human resources, information technology and management and finance functions from March.

Three jobs will go immediately – and another 13 in a year – with the creation of the Central Agencies Shared Services business unit. Since 2008, almost 2400 public service jobs have been slashed and projections suggest a further 500 public service jobs would go over the next two years, as the government does it's bit for unemployment.

But, it's not all doom and gloom, as the government yesterday announced it's commitment of $1/2Million to Michael Hill's new Pro-Am Celebrity golf tournament; a sum which just so happens to be equal to the prize money being offered. But don't worry the measly $500,000 is likely to only be the beginning - in its first year the NZ PGA Pro-Am will be part of the Australasian PGA Tour, moving to the higher profile One Asia Tour from 2013. Tournament director Michael Glading said "This is a five-year term with an option of another five. In other words, the real intention is to secure this event long term"

Prime Minister, John key also confirmed that his name was among a number of "celebrity amateurs" who hoped to play in the inaugural Arrowtown event in late March; but it just depends if he can clear his diary of, y'know, running the country (into the ground) for the week March 29 to April 1.

I'm not sure if John Banks has been invited to play yet.

LINKS
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6096829/Merger-leads-to-more-public-servant-job-cuts
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/golf/6096835/PM-says-he-may-tee-up-in-new-look-tournament