Page 2725 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 20 October 1992
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
accommodation. The Government, through the Housing and Community Services Bureau, subsequently made an offer to provide the Multicultural Children's Service with concessional accommodation at a community rate which is well below the current market rate. So, we have, I think, offered at least that level of support to the service.
As I say, we have repeatedly made representations to the Federal Government on behalf of the Multicultural Children's Service, and I understand, Madam Speaker, that negotiations are still continuing between the Federal agencies involved and the service in relation to funding matters. The Multicultural Children's Service's requirement is for, I think, supplementary funding in order to meet their accommodation costs. I support them in their bid for that supplementary funding. I think we have made clear to the Federal Government this Government's support for the service and, in relation to our side of the equation, which is the provision of accommodation, I believe that we have made a suitable offer. I sincerely hope that the Multicultural Children's Service is able to sort out these difficulties, that the Commonwealth Government is able to find the supplementary funding that is required, and that they will be able to continue what I believe is a very valuable service to the ACT community.
Agency Heads - Selection Process
MR DE DOMENICO: Madam Speaker, my question is to the Chief Minister. I refer the Chief Minister to the answer she gave to my question without notice on Thursday last when she admitted that one of her political staffers was on the interview panel which selected the Under Treasurer. Will the Chief Minister now advise the Assembly which political staffer was on the selection panel?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, that was a four-member panel, from memory. The member of my staff that I think Mr De Domenico refers to is my Principal Adviser, David Wedgwood.
MR DE DOMENICO: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Besides being at the helm during the time when the ACT ALP was, I believe, $1m in the red, what other qualifications does Mr Wedgwood have to be put on such a panel?
MS FOLLETT: Mr Wedgwood is my principal staff member, Madam Speaker. I think that he is eminently qualified to serve in such a role. I am quite surprised that members opposite, having apparently exhausted the scandals involved in the appointment of Ms Vardon to Education and Training, are now seeking to bring into question the appointment of Dr Rosalky to the Under Treasurer position.
Mr De Domenico: No; it is the process, not the personality.
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I have been completely open about the process that is involved. Members will be aware that this Government has decided on a merit selection process. That involves the advertising of positions. It involves a selection panel conducting an interview process and making recommendations to the Government. I think that is an entirely appropriate process to adopt.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .