Social Services Minister Steve Maharey has banned the Child, Youth and Family Services chief social worker from taking part in a conference on child abuse organised by National.
The Stop The Hurt conference on October 27 is about mandatory reporting of child abuse.
National's social services spokesman, Bob Simcock, said yesterday that he was sickened by Mr Maharey's banning of chief social worker Mike Doolan.
The conference, being chaired by Commissioner for Children Roger McClay, was non-partisan, he said.
In a letter to Mr Doolan, Mr Simcock said he hoped the conference would provide a forum for sharing the perspectives of different groups.
Any such discussion would be limited without participation by CYFS, and he invited Mr Doolan to attend and present a brief paper.
There was no predetermined outcome for the conference, he said. MPs from all parties were being invited but would not present papers.
"This is a conference for people who deal with this issue day by day."
Mr Simcock called on the minister to rescind the ban.
But Mr Maharey said the conference appeared to be part of National's policy development processes and it was not appropriate for public servants to take part.
"Accordingly, Mr Doolan will not be attending your conference," he told Mr Simcock in a letter.
Mr Maharey also said he was concerned to ensure that Mr McClay's independence was maintained.
The commissioner had told him that his role at the conference was as an independent, neutral chairman and facilitator, "not a partisan participant."
Mr McClay said last month that he had been embarrassed by a suggestion that he was in "cahoots" with National over the conference, and that he and Mr Simcock would announce the party's initiative.
Mr Simcock said at the time that Mr McClay was independent and his involvement in the conference did not constitute any endorsement of National Party policies.
He had approached Mr McClay to chair the meeting because of his expertise in the field of child welfare.
- NZPA
Social Services Minister reins in social work chief
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