A correspondent pointed out the Wikipedia entry for the term.
This is found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quango
It seems the description is as follows:
“Quango or qango is an acronym (variously spelt out as quasi non-governmental organisation, quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation, and quasi-autonomous national government organisation) used notably in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and elsewhere to label colloquially an organisation to which government has devolved power. In the United Kingdom the official term is "non-departmental public body" or NDPB.”
The best bit is this sentence:
“Depending upon one's point of view, the separation of a quango from government might be either to allow its specified functions to be more commercially exercised, independently of politics and changeable government priorities, and unencumbered by civil service practices and bureaucracy; or else to allow an elected minister to exercise patronage, and extend their influence beyond their term of office, while evading responsibility for the expenditure of public money and the exercise of legal powers.”
The last few words really ring true!
At least we now have an accurate name for it!
Sorry, usual service will now resume.
David.
4 comments:
"The last few words really ring true!"
Yes, indeed. But before the usual service resumes would you please be good enough to let us all know:
(a)Who was the Health Minister of the day responsible for establishing this quango?
(b)Who was Secretary of the Health Department of the day responsible for advising the Health Minister?
Thanks
Easy. (a) Tony Abbott and (b) Ms Jane Halton.
David.
And, for a bonus point: (a) who is currently the leader of the Opposition and (b) who is (still) the Secretary of DoHA?
Bonus points are hard to win.
(a) is a tough one. It used to be Malcolm Turnbull but he spat the dummy and resigned to leave the party then changed his mind and decided to stay. I think the answer is Tony Abbott but it's hard to be sure because he said you can't believe everything he says so maybe he's only pretending to be.
(b) is an easy one. Ms Jane Halton. She got the job after doing such a good job for Peter Reith in her handling of the Children Overboard affair. Oddly enough, as you may recall we were all fed a fabric of lies only to find when the truth was revealed there were no children thrown overboard after all. The whole event was a fabrication of misleading photos, mirrors and false claims. Mmmm, that reminds me of the spotty leopard in the jungle. Sigh.
Post a Comment