Editorial: Why is Ryall riled up about leaks?

What was Tony Ryall thinking?

The Health Minister and State Services Minister has ordered a probe, witch-hunt, call it what you want, into how sensitive information has been leaking to the media and – oh no – the public. Information that wasn't intended for their consumption.

The two leaks surrounded a rejig of the state sector and the most recent was about the Government's thoughts on mining in the conservation estate.

Both sensitive issues, both issues that the Government wants to keep a tight rein on before they polish up their PR case for the public to digest. What's interesting is that Mr Ryall has been one of the Government's best performers over its first 16 months in office, so his latest move seems not only out of character, but bordering on the bizarre.

Perhaps the pressure of slashing jobs in the public sector, while keeping a tight rein on health budgets has got to him.

He denies that the State Services Commission inquiries are witch-hunts. He said finding the culprit was important because the unauthorised publication of sensitive information could jeopardise trust in the public service.

That may be the case, but what world does Mr Ryall think he is living in?

A major characteristic of political life is the agendas and grudges that people have. In a perfect world the Government would always be popular, get it's own way with everything and have happy and harmonious people all over the country.

It doesn't work like that. Leaks have happened for decades between politicians, their staff and the media. It's so close-knit, it's not funny. Mr Ryall would have to acknowledge that. So, it seems a little odd that someone who fed information to reporters for the better part of a decade while in opposition is so keen to clamp down on who has leaked information now he's in a position of great power. A finger-pointing exercise like the one he has launched is only going to be a costly, resource-hungry waste of time. There are more pressing issues on the Government's agenda than this and what will it really achieve any way?

I paid my first visit to Wellington's Basin Reserve yesterday to catch the first session of the New Zealand v Australia cricket test. I couldn't think of a better first time than watching the two traditional foes at, arguably, our most traditional test cricket venue. I was pleasantly surprised by the old-fashioned atmosphere of the occasion in a sporting world that is dominated by big bucks and flash venues. I was brought back to reality by a streaker after 90 minutes and an obscene banner about Michael Clarke's former fiancee that I couldn't possibly repeat. Still, it didn't detract too much from my first experience of one of our country's great sporting venues.

- © Fairfax NZ News