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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 3 Hansard (25 March) . . Page.. 815 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

know the full measure of the problem because of insufficient information, as my colleagues have identified, so let us pause. Let us wait. Let us see. Let us examine this and see what the extent of the problem is before we make further decisions.

It concerns me that in the 20 years or so that we have had clubs here the nature of the machines has changed remarkably from Model T to Ferrari, a modern Formula 1 car, and no-one has been in a position to question that. No-one has said, "Is this good? Should we allow this?". So, I am very keen about the recommendation there now that says, "Let this proposed gambling commission think about this and decide whether we do want new technologies". The pause is important. We must get information. We must have concern for those people who find themselves in difficult circumstances because of a gambling problem. We must identify the extent of that. That is the basis of my recommendations. I am concerned. We should turn our attention to it.

Debate (on motion by Ms Carnell ) adjourned.

MS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (10.56): Mr Speaker, I present the Public Sector Management (Amendment) Bill 1999, together with its explanatory memorandum.

Title read by Clerk.

MS CARNELL: I move:

That this Bill be agreed to in principle.

Mr Speaker, I am pleased to present legislation amending the Public Sector Management Act 1994. This Act provides the legislative framework for employment in the ACT Public Service and, to a lesser extent, within the ACT public sector.

The Public Sector Management (Amendment) Bill 1999 corrects a number of errors and omissions of a technical nature; provides for the advertising of ACT Public Service job vacancies and related notices in the Territory Gazette rather than the Commonwealth Gazette; amends the definition of "criminal offence" to include offences committed in other State and Territory jurisdictions; permits the reappointment or re-engagement of former chief executives and executives to the ACTPS with the written approval of the Commissioner for Public Administration; and streamlines the making of routine changes to the public sector management standards.

With the tenth anniversary of self-government in the Territory, the proposed amendment Bill will have the practical effect of further establishing the status of the ACT Public Service as a distinct and separate public service. It will bring the Territory into line with other jurisdictions by ensuring most ACT Public Service job vacancies, notification of promotions, appointments, transfers and retirements are advertised and notified in the ACT Gazette rather than in the Commonwealth Gazette. These changes

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