Page 50 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 25 February 2014

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The amendments are administrative in nature and have likely come about due to the operation of the bill highlighting some issues. It is a reasonably complicated act in terms of its operation and it is not surprising that there have been some teething issues identified with its administration over the past 12 months.

This bill does quite a few other minor or technical things in relation to building and construction occupations which I did not mention but, overall, the Greens support the bill and look forward to a higher standard of responsibility and workmanship across the construction sector as a result.

Debate interrupted in accordance with standing order 74 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour.

Sitting suspended from 12.28 pm to 2.30 pm.

Questions without notice

ACTEW Corporation Ltd—management

MR HANSON: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, what process has been undertaken to appoint the new chair of ACTEW and when do you expect the new chair to be appointed?

MS GALLAGHER: I believe that it will go to cabinet in the next couple of weeks—the appointment of a permanent chair.

MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson, a supplementary question.

MR HANSON: Yes, Madam Speaker. Chief Minister, will you guarantee that there will be a fair and transparent process in appointing the next ACTEW chair or will you undertake the same approach as your colleague Ms Burch who appointed the director of the Fringe Festival without any due process?

MS GALLAGHER: My understanding is that all chairs of ACTEW, from all governments, have been appointed by the shareholders through a cabinet process. I am not seeking to change that in this instance. I did, following the departure of Mr John Mackay, indicate a preference to go to an advertised position for the chair. However, with the departure of Mr Mark Sullivan as the chief executive of ACTEW, I do not want ACTEW to be in the position where there is an acting chair and an acting chief executive for any length of time. As such, the Deputy Chief Minister and I have determined that the appointment of a permanent chair is a priority for the organisation and that will be done in accordance with the process that has been followed by previous governments in appointing the ACTEW chair.

Mr Smyth interjecting—

MS GALLAGHER: Not that I will respond to interjections, Madam Speaker, but just to cover off another issue: I have not been as concerned about an acting chair whilst we have had a permanent chief executive. We are now in the position where we do


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