Lost job was Government revenge, say critics

Tom Lambie

The Government has been accused of trying to block the reappointment of one of its strongest critics as a university chancellor.

Former Federated Farmers president Tom Lambie was a leading figure in campaigns which forced the Government to back down on the "fart tax" and changes to land access laws.

This year, the Government did not reappoint him to Lincoln University's council, even though the council had re-elected him chancellor.

The council co-opted Mr Lambie back for a year so he could finish his term as university head.

In late 2001, before he became Federated Farmers president, Mr Lambie was one of four ministerial appointments made to the agricultural university's council.

His appointment was for four years.

He was appointed chancellor in December 2004, and stepped down as Federated Farmers president last July.

Mr Lambie's four-year term expired in December, and the council nominated him for another term.

The Government, dealing with post-election changes, did not immediately confirm the appointment.

But the council assumed confirmation would be automatic and reappointed Mr Lambie, an organic dairy farmer, as chancellor for another year.

But in April, the Cabinet appointed former Fruitgrowers Federation president Martin Clements instead.

Tensions were high again between Federated Farmers and the Government at the time the decision not to reappoint Mr Lambie was made, this time over the microchipping of dogs.

Many farmers believed the decision was designed to pay back Mr Lambie - and indirectly the federation - for being a thorn in the Government's side.

Asked yesterday if he believed there was an element of payback in the Government's decision, Mr Lambie said he had "no comment".

"The Government has a process for ministerial appointments, the process was followed and Lincoln University is very pleased with the new appointment," he said. "In the interests of stability the council co-opted me back on to the council."

National Party deputy leader Gerry Brownlee said, "There is a hint of vindictiveness about this".

Asked if it looked like payback, he said, "It has that look about it".

"Given that Tom was a former Federated Farmers president and Lincoln is a university that conducts significant agricultural research, it's even a bigger slight in lots of ways," Mr Brownlee said.

"That he's considered not suitable for representing the wider interests of the community as a Government appointee, that's just extraordinary.

"It's a clear message to Government appointees: 'Don't get involved in any issues that put you offside with the Government'."

Federated Farmers, nervous about its relationship with the Government, was in a cautious mood yesterday.

President Charlie Pedersen - a Government appointee to the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee last year before he became president - said "all I know is that there are rumours" it could have been a payback.

He didn't know if it was true "but my gut feeling is that the Government would not be so small-minded".

Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen, responsible for the appointments, was out of the country yesterday, but acting minister Steve Maharey said through a spokeswoman, "You can't be serious", when asked about the payback claim.

One-term Government appointments were common. "This sort of thing happens all the time."

State Owned Enterprises Minister Trevor Mallard recently fended off accusations the Government was guilty of cronyism.

It followed a Victoria University survey of directors of the largest state-owned enterprises, which found they were worried that appointments were politically influenced.

But Mr Mallard said only three of the 43 people appointed to state-owned enterprise boards were current Labour Party members.