Page 492 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 June 1989
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MS FOLLETT: Yes. To answer Mr Moore's question, Mr Speaker, it is true to say that my office placed an advertisement calling for staff for a range of positions some time ago. It was an all-embracing advertisement that took account of the fact that some staff had already taken up duties and positions in Ministers' offices and that some vacancies still remain.
Included in that advertisement was a call for expressions of interest in the position of press secretary on my personal staff. When that advertisement was placed, it was an extremely genuine call for expressions of interest because this is a crucial position on my staff, as I am sure other members would be aware.
Before the period of time for nominations for the positions had expired I became aware that there was an excellent applicant who was available and quite willing to take up that position. Previous to that I had also done some checking on what kinds of people might be available to fill press secretary jobs and had quite easily ascertained that in the ACT there is a shortage of skilled people available for those jobs and that in fact most of the skilled people already had very good jobs which they were not willing to leave.
So when it became known to me that there was an excellent applicant - an outstanding applicant, in fact - who was available and willing to take up that job I did not hesitate. I proceeded to interview her, not on my own but in the company of some departmental officers, and ascertained that indeed she would be most suitable. So, as I say, I did not hesitate. I sought to take her into that position at the first available time. I am very happy to say that she will be taking up duty next week and that I have been able to make an arrangement with her current employer to release her for those duties.
So it was a matter really of taking advantage of that application, taking advantage of the fact that there was, in my view, an exceptional applicant expressing an interest, and most certainly not wishing to let that opportunity pass me by.
Minister's Office
MR COLLAERY: My question is directed to the Deputy Chief Minister. Would he assure the house that arrangements to be made for the leasing of accommodation for occupancy by him in the Tuggeranong Valley will be conducted point to point by responsible officers of the property section of his department and not by himself? Secondly, has he had, at any time, personal contact with the prospective landlord of those premises?
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