Shameful avoidance of straight questions

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle

Tony Ryall is a busy man. But then a lot of us are busy people.

His commitments as Minister of Health no doubt keep him fully occupied, but he needs to remember that those commitments include a responsibility to the people whose lives are affected by his decisions.

The Chronicle has received queries and concerns about the ousting of Kate Joblin as chairwoman of Whanganui District Health Board. The general feeling is still one of puzzlement following the minister's decision last week.

That puzzlement extends to the board members responsible for vital health services in our district.

So Mr Ryall had a duty to take a few minutes out of his busy schedule to explain why an effective leader - widely endorsed by the people of Wanganui - had been replaced.

On Monday, we sought an interview with him - happy to fit in with his timescale. After several further attempts, we were told we would have to make do with a prepared statement - all 75 words of it.

In it, he commended Ms Joblin's work, but the nearest he came to explaining her surprise exit was to say that she had been Whanganui DHB's chairwoman "for almost seven years" and that "generally, chairs do two terms".

The logic of this is that no matter how good you are, you are out after two three-year terms.

Does Mr Ryall apply the same argument to his leader, Prime Minister John Key? And next year, Mr Ryall, himself, will have done six years as Minister of Health - will he be chucking in the towel?

The minister is the consummate career politician, having been elected an MP in 1990 at the age of 26. He has handled a number of ministerial portfolios and has rarely put a foot wrong as far as toeing the party line goes.

Always on-message; always keeping to the National Party agenda; always keeping his bosses happy. Perhaps it is too much to expect him to bother with the concerns of Wanganui ... ?

Sorry, Mr Ryall - it is simply not good enough that you did not front up, failing even to address the questions we emailed.

Our community deserved a few minutes of your valuable time.