Two recent incidents of democratic accountability, however, raise more questions about maintaining that faith than they answer. It seems to me a complex question because we have a national security overlay that is there for good reason but also prevents transparency, and through that openness, accountability. The accountability question is whether in multiparty government other political parties, if appropriately cleared, should have been briefed by officials or informed by the Prime Minister. Given the woeful response to the Burnham Inquiry and the murky affair of two MPs sudden retirements, one’s faith in the institutions we defend is shaken. Jon Johansson served as chief of staff to deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and now works for a Wellington based communications company.

Source: Stuff June 12, 2021 16:52 UTC