Page 4437 - Week 14 - Thursday, 1 December 1994
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Chief Minister's Office - Media Adviser
MRS CARNELL: My question without notice is directed to the Chief Minister. The question relates to the recent departure from the Chief Minister's office of her former media adviser. Can the Chief Minister confirm that this former adviser is now working for the Canberra Tourism Commission? Can she also advise how the position was created; whether it was advertised according to the ACT Government Service guidelines; and, given that taxpayers' money is involved, how the position will be paid for?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I think this is a measure of how desperate they are on the other side. They play the man. Madam Speaker, as members opposite are extremely well aware, Mr Veldre left my office for personal reasons. I have no intention of making any public statement on those personal reasons. In fact, I would not make any private comment either, except with Mr Veldre's express permission. Madam Speaker, his availability was known to my department. As members would be aware, there is a newly appointed chief executive of the Canberra Tourism Commission.
I am aware that at that time the commission was implementing a number of initiatives, including upgrading its media liaison. I am informed that there was a short-term and immediate need for journalistic skills which, in the judgment of the chief executive, could be provided adequately by Mr Veldre. I believe that the terms of the arrangement are that Mr Veldre has temporary employment for three months, under the terms of the Public Sector Management Act, to carry out that task. These arrangements were approved by the Public Service Commissioner. I am further informed that, should it be judged that there is a continuing need for that sort of work and that that can be fitted in within the commission's priorities, then the normal recruitment processes will take place, involving advertising of the position and recruitment on merit.
MRS CARNELL: I have a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Did the Chief Minister or her office approach the Canberra Tourism Commission to arrange for her former media adviser to be employed under this special contract? Is it a normal arrangement for the Tourism Commission to pay only two-thirds of an officer's salary and for the other third to be funded out of the Executive budget?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, Mrs Carnell can get as grubby as she likes on this issue - - -
Mr Connolly: And she will.
MS FOLLETT: And she will, as is her wont. There certainly were not any approaches by me. The availability of Mr Veldre was well known. Where that knowledge came from, I could not say with any certainty.
Mrs Carnell: What about the next bit?
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! You have had your question.
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