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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 3 Hansard (8 April) . . Page.. 681 ..

Mrs Carnell: It is very hypothetical, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Minister, there are both inferences and imputations in that question. It is perhaps hypothetical as well. What is left of it, I suppose, you can try to answer, Mr Minister.

MR KAINE: I can probably avoid wetting my feet as I find my way around the puddles from whatever it was that was hung out to dry. I can totally and unequivocally deny the allegation that Mr Berry is making that I or any other member of this Government had any intention of taking or took any action whatsoever to secure Mr Flutter's departure. Because of the difficulties we have been experiencing with ACTION over recent months, I suppose I have spoken to Mr Flutter on average once a week over the last eight weeks. At no time did I raise with Mr Flutter the question of his leaving and at no time did he raise with me the question of his departure. I heard only yesterday for the first time that Mr Flutter had determined that he would seek new avenues. In fact, I understand that in the near future he is beginning an academic program at the Sydney University school of management. That is a decision that he has taken. I have not hastened him on his way in any way. I repeat that I have always found John Flutter to be a professional public servant. I have had absolutely no reason whatsoever even to suggest that he go elsewhere, and I have not done so. To the best of my knowledge, neither has any other member of this Government.

MR BERRY: I address a supplementary question to Mr Kaine. Mr Kaine, are you concerned that Mr Flutter's going lends weight to the serious concerns many in the community have that the ACT Public Service is becoming increasingly politicised? I remind you of the long line of senior public servants who have been forced out. The community are concerned that the ACT Public Service is being increasingly politicised and that the Senior Executive Service is being stacked with friends of the Liberal Government.

Mrs Carnell: I do not think we have one member who has been a member of the Liberal Party.

Ms McRae: You would know, would you not? You have asked them, have you?

MR KAINE: Despite Ms McRae's interjection, it does concern me greatly that people like Mr Berry seek to put that kind of spin on the fact that a senior officer of this Government has decided to proceed with his career somewhere else. It does not say much for the mentality or the goodwill of these people that they would even suggest that Mr Flutter would respond to that kind of coercion. Anybody who knows John knows better. He would not respond to it.

In connection with the broader connotation of Mr Berry's question, I think it is despicable that he should be pushing the line that this Government is somehow trying to politicise the Public Service. I have not appointed anybody to the Public Service on political grounds. I do not intend to so appoint anybody, and I certainly have no intention of firing anybody

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