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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 14 Hansard (10 December) . . Page.. 4179 ..

MS DUNDAS (continuing):

It is important that we clarify what information is to be in the annual report and have available all of the directions given so that we increase the transparency of the government's interaction with this new so-called independent Planning and Land Authority. I hope the Assembly supports this amendment.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 16, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 17 agreed to.

Clause 18.

MR CORBELL (Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Minister for Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations) (9.42): I move amendment No 11 circulated in my name [see schedule 6 at page 4192].

Amendment No 11 inserts a new clause 18 (1A), providing that the person appointed to the position of chief planning executive should have the management and planning experience or expertise necessary to exercise the functions of the position of the chief planning executive.

This amendment again arose out of the round table discussions. It was clear that members wanted clarification of the sorts of qualifications and experience that a chief planning executive should have. Whilst the original proposal mooted was that town planning should be included as a formal qualification, the government believes that this amendment better addresses the situation in ensuring that the person has the necessary management and planning experience to undertake the role.

Some of the most significant planners in this city have not had formal town planning qualifications. Sir John Overall, the first commissioner of the NCDC, had no formal town planning qualification, yet I doubt whether anyone would doubt his capacity as an effective chief planner for the city.

This new provision states that they must have appropriate management and planning experience or expertise to exercise the function of the chief planning executive. It clarifies that you need to have someone of significant standing professionally to undertake the role of chief planning executive. That is an appropriate change to the clause.

MS TUCKER (9.44): I will be supporting this amendment. It is one of the suggestions we made at the round table. It is very important that we move away from the managerialism that often results in no relevant expertise apart from apparent management skills. This is a good step.

MS DUNDAS (9.45): I will be supporting this amendment. As the chief planning executive is the Planning and Land Authority, the successful executive candidate must not only have a high standard of qualifications but also be able to maintain the confidence of the community in carrying out the functions of the authority.

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