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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 2 Hansard (26 February) . . Page.. 466 ..

MR MOORE: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Chief Minister, I understand that he is a general director of palliative care. Palliative care goes well beyond the very good things that happen in the hospice. I must say it is worth while for any member to visit the hospice. When we are talking about the overall director of palliative care, I understand that advertisements have been placed in Australia. Considering the scarcity of people who fit the sorts of categories, why is it that you have not advertised internationally if, indeed, my understanding is correct that you have not? Will you now proceed to do so?

MRS CARNELL: I understand that quite significant efforts have been made and, as Mr Moore would be aware, I understand that it is Calvary Hospital that is actually advertising for that position. For all of that, I understand that efforts have been made. If we have not advertised internationally - which I am not sure that we have not, by the way - I think we definitely need to. The issue of finding somebody who has both the academic and the medical qualifications to take this job is very difficult. Obviously, there have been some applicants but they have not been of the standard, I understand, that those who are interviewing believe is appropriate for the ACT service. We will continue to work very hard to have a director of palliative care for the whole service - a service, Mr Speaker, that I know everybody in this house supports.

MR BERRY: My question is to the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Mr Stefaniak. It relates to the ongoing debacle over the leasing out of the pools. Minister, on page 17 of "Contracting Pool and Leisure Centres", Report No. 1 of the Auditor-General, he quoted this specific ACT Government purchasing policy:

"A Tender Assessment Panel is a committee comprised of ... three members with the chairperson being a member of the Senior Executive Service ... Of the other members, one is to represent the program area requiring the goods or services, and another is responsible for protecting the commercial interests of the Territory".

The Auditor further commented:

The audit found that the Tender Assessment Panel did not include an SES officer.

It did not include an SES officer as required. He continued:

The panel was chaired by the Manager of Facilities (Senior Officer Grade B). Under the Policy Manual the Panel should have been chaired by the Chief Executive of the Bureau of Sport, Recreation and Racing.

Minister, why did you not ensure that the proper requirements were met? Will you accept that you have not carried out your responsibilities as Minister?

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