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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 7 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2712 ..

(4) See response to 3 above.

(5) See response to 3 above. A full merit selection process will be undertaken in accordance with the Public Sector Management Act and Standards, the Department's Certified Agreement 2003-2004 and the Department's internal recruitment policy.

(6) See response to 3 and 5 above. An appropriate selection panel will be convened when the position is advertised.

(7) The Acting Communications Manager was engaged on a temporary six-month contract on 2 June 2003.

(8) The acting occupant of this position has significant expertise and experience in media liaison and communications, particularly within the ACT. The acting occupant is also highly familiar with the roles and responsibilities of this portfolio and has a sound working relationship with the Ministers' offices.

(9) The position is remunerated at the Senior Officer Grade B level under the Department of Justice and Community Safety's Certified Agreement 2003-2004.

(10) The Duty Statement (attached) requires the employee to have extensive experience in public relations, journalism or related field, and especially in preparing and implementing communication strategies for external and internal audiences. In addition, the occupant of the position must demonstrate sound understanding and experience in developing internal communications strategies within a government department or the corporate sector, and a proven record of obtaining successful outcomes.

(11) Temporary vacancies are generally only open to permanent officers of the ACT Public Service (ACTPS). However, agencies may accept applications from

non-permanent employees for temporary employment to positions where no permanent officer is suitable or available (see section 106 of the Public Sector Management Act) or if agencies do not wish to pursue a wider field of applicants. These provisions may be varied under Certified Agreements.

Consistent with the provisions in the Public Sector Management Act and the Department's Certified Agreement (Section 26.2) the Department utilises temporary employees only where there is no employee available in the ACTPS with the expertise, skills or qualifications required for the duties to be performed, or the assistance of a temporary nature is required for the performance of urgent or specialised work, and where it is not practical in the circumstances to use the services of an existing employee.

In this instance a non-permanent officer was engaged on a short-term contract as Acting Communications Manager, as there was no suitable available permanent employee to undertake this specialised work when it was urgently needed.

Attachment

Department of Justice & Community Safety

Communications Manager

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