A recent proposal within the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) suggests the potential disestablishment of 41 positions related to anti-money laundering efforts, countering financing of terrorism, and digital safety. The proposed cuts also extend to roles within the Customs Detector Dog Unit, including dog trainers and frontline customs officers.
In the proposed plan, 79 positions at Customs across the country are slated for elimination, affecting roles in border operations, intelligence, and enforcement. Notably, positions in Auckland, Whangarei, Gisborne, Timaru, and Invercargill are among those proposed to be disestablished.
According to reports, the DIA’s digital safety team could see a reduction of eleven positions, while the anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing team may shrink from 51 to 30 positions.
Public Service Association assistant secretary Fleur Fitzsimons expressed concerns about the potential impact of these cuts, particularly in light of the increasing sophistication of crimes in these areas. She highlighted the valuable contributions of frontline workers in Customs and the DIA, emphasizing their roles in detecting illegal activities such as drug trafficking and financial crimes.
Additionally, the proposed changes within DIA extend beyond the anti-money laundering and digital safety sectors. The Māori, Strategy and Performance branch, along with the National Library’s indexing team, could also be affected, potentially impacting 28 staff members.
A spokesperson for the Department of Internal Affairs emphasized that while personnel changes are part of the cost-saving measures, the majority of savings are expected to come from efficiencies and expenditure adjustments.
These proposed changes come amidst broader organizational restructuring within DIA, which has already seen reductions in staff numbers due to the repeal of water reform legislation. As the transition away from water services reform progresses, staffing levels within related units are expected to decline further.
The Department stated its commitment to carefully evaluating recruitment decisions and ensuring that essential functions are maintained despite the proposed reductions.
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