Page 5208 - Week 16 - Thursday, 28 November 1991
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A member cannot appeal a promotion made on the recommendation of a joint selection committee. In the event that the commissioner does not accept the recommendation of the joint selection committee, he or she may choose to promote someone else instead, but this would be subject to the appeal process through the Merit Protection and Review Agency. All promotions are to be notified in the Gazette.
These modified provisions are, subject to necessary modifications, similar to the equivalent provisions in the Commonwealth Public Service Act. They eliminate the former regulations which established seniority as a major basis of eligibility for promotion and the deciding factor where two or more candidates for a single promotion are otherwise equally qualified.
I shall deal now with amendments to the Teaching Service (Amendment) Act and the Electricity and Water (Amendment) Act. The Teaching Service already has provisions in its enabling legislation requiring the establishment of equal employment opportunity programs, which has resulted in EEO programs already existing in components of the service. We have provided that these remain in force, and for the establishment of such programs in those components in which they do not currently exist. Each separate component of the Teaching Service is to review the effectiveness of its program and to provide details to the Head of Administration, who can, as with the other authorities, issue guidelines. There are also the provisions which are contained in the other Bills relating to the application of the merit principle in the appointment and promotion of staff.
The Electricity and Water Act likewise currently requires the development and review of EEO programs. Again, the amendment Bill makes the wording of these provisions consistent with the other Bills and applies the merit principle to the appointment and promotion of staff.
There should be no direct impact on government revenue or expenditure in these measures. It is anticipated that the authorities concerned will absorb any additional expenditure involved in what I am convinced are sound and efficient management practices. In fact, in most instances, equal employment opportunity programs have been shown to result in savings in the long run, because the work force is more efficient and effective as it comprises the best candidates for the job.
Mr Speaker, these amendments will ensure that the ACT statutory authorities have procedures to ensure a reasonable opportunity to apply for employment by those who are eligible, and selection based on merit. The equal employment opportunity programs will provide for the examination, identification and elimination of discriminatory employment practices wherever they occur.
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