Paula Bennett
The Government has awarded a $2.4 million contract to a
parenting organisation run by a former Families Commission
official without putting it out to tender.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett will give the funds
to Parents Inc over four years for its caregivers "toolbox"
courses, which brings communities together to teach parenting
skills.
The contract was revealed in this year's budget, two days
after former deputy commissioner and Parents Inc chief
executive Bruce Pilbrow announced his resignation from the
Commission.
Ms Bennett, who appointed Mr Pilbrow two years ago, told
One News the contract was awarded to his organisation
because it offers the unique "toolbox" course.
"They've got the product that we really want for this. They
are working in both smaller communities and large ones
throughout New Zealand. And it's really the toolbox that we
are buying and no one else has it, so if we put it out for
tender someone else would have to create something that is
already there.
"He had absolutely no idea that he was getting this contract,
so there was no correlation there. In fact when he said he
was resigning, I obviously knew he was, but I couldn't say to
him this might look a little bit funny because he didn't
know," she said.
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