Page 792 - Week 05 - Thursday, 6 July 1989
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Chief Territory Planner
MR COLLAERY: My question is directed to the Chief Minister. Will she advise the house whether she adopts the notion that the appointment of a chief planner is extremely important for the future of the Territory? If so, will she advise the house whether she will undertake to have the position, which we understand is not yet filled, advertised nationally and internationally?
MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr Collaery for that question. I am sure that most members would be aware that that position is actually filled by Mr Geoff Campbell and that Mr Campbell has been performing the role of the Chief Territory Planner - - -
Mr Kaine: It is on an interim basis.
MS FOLLETT: On an interim basis, as you say. I think that the future of that position is one to which I have not given active consideration at the moment, but I take on board Mr Collaery's comments that he believes the position should be advertised nationally and internationally. I have not formed a view on that, other than that if and when the position is advertised and filled, the normal principles of merit selection and equal opportunity will apply.
MR COLLAERY: I wish to ask a supplementary question, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Chief Minister for her response to that question. Will she undertake to consult the Assembly's planning and infrastructure committee and the leaders of the parties in this house with respect to both the form of advertisement and a final appointment?
MS FOLLETT: Mr Deputy Speaker, I am caught a bit unawares by this question, as I think it involves some fairly far-reaching considerations as to the role of the Government in selecting and appointing to positions of the sort to which Mr Collaery is referring. I am of course open to consultation on all matters; I am happy to take people's views on matters, including those of appointment; but I do not think it would be a wise precedent to set in general that matters of a confidential nature, such as the applicants, the interviewing and the selection for a position, should become widely known. I think that would be very unfortunate if that were to be the case. There are confidential issues to be observed there.
However, I take on notice Mr Collaery's interest in this position and in involving the Assembly's committee in it. I undertake to give some thought to what role the Assembly's committee might play in the selection for this position, but I do not believe it would be appropriate at this stage, Mr Deputy Speaker, for me to give the kind of undertaking that Mr Colleary seeks.
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