National have announced “ambitious targets” for the public sector.

Government sets public sector 5-year targets

“It’s about delivering what New Zealanders really want and expect from their public services. These targets are not a wish-list – they are a to-do list,” Mr Key says.

“We want to get further traction on difficult issues like reducing crime, reducing long-term welfare dependency and reducing educational underachievement.

“Some of these targets are very aspirational – in fact, some of them will be extremely difficult to achieve. But I make absolutely no apology for having high expectations and wanting New Zealanders to get the most out of their public services,” Mr Key says.

“We want targets that are going to stretch the ability of the public sector to deliver them, and will force change. This is not an exercise in ticking boxes.

I think ambitious targets are good to have, as long as they are feasibly achievable – and get popular support and participation.

Of course there will be critics. The Standard doesn’t surprise:

A meaningless list

National’s latest plan to save the country – make another list of targets!

And, there’s no plan to do it. The solution to people being on benefits is jobs. But National says that only the private sector can create jobs (except when they’re promising 170,000 jobs in the next four years). So, how can it be a government target to get people off benefits if they don’t control how many jobs there are for people?

I’m sorry, where was the plan?

“More than 20,000 unemployed people will be moved off the benefit within five years if the Government manages to meet its newly announced targets.”

Yes, but a target isn’t a plan.

And an attack isn’t a critique. Labour and Greens have been executing a plan to try and convince people that “National has no plan” by repeating it over and over. Most of it is negative opposition bull.

National get accused of muddling along aimlessly and then get criticised for announcing goals. That’s the nature of being in government.

Wouldn’t it be good if the opposition woukld embrace these aims and add their own enhancements? Instead the woodpeckers keep tapping away at the government tree, hoping it will fall over. That’s a great aim – not.

I think it’s too son ton tell whether the aims are achievable and reasonable. Here are summaries and links:

Reducing long term benefit dependence

The Government is aiming to reduce the number of long term beneficiaries on Jobseeker Support by 30 per cent from 78,000 to 55,000 by 2017, says Social Development Minster Paula Bennett.

Increased focus on smart online govt services

Smart new online services will make it easier for the New Zealand public and businesses to interact with the Government, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain say.

Education targets to boost skills & employment

The Government’s Better Public Service targets for education are about giving more New Zealanders the opportunity to succeed, and increasing the skill level of our workforce, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce and Education Minister Hekia Parata say.

Better support for vulnerable children

More Kiwi children will get a better start in life as a result of the Government’s Better Public Services targets, say social sector Ministers Tony Ryall, Paula Bennett and Hekia Parata.

45,000 fewer crimes a year by 2017

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Government’s Better Public Services justice sector targets will mean 45,000 fewer crimes, 7,500 fewer violent crimes, and 600 fewer young people appearing in court each year from 2017.