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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 3 Hansard (23 October) . . Page.. 4137 ..

Government and community, the need for which was heightened by the January bushfire crisis and its aftermath':

Given that your reply to Question on Notice No 856 stated that the Department spent no money on contracted communications services in 2001-02 and only $4,300 in 2002-03, how is it 'more cost effective' to have a permanent position at a cost of approximately $100,000 per annum (based on a SOG B salary plus entitlements) rather than the previous ad hoc arrangement;

The answer to Question No 856, at paragraph (7), states that 'all Public Affairs Officers within the ACT Public Service were fully engaged with their own duties'. What is the basis for making this statement and how is it verified;

Further to paragraph (2), is it not normally the case that all ACT public servants are 'fully engaged with their own duties' and yet temporary jobs are advertised and applied for every week. Why in the case of this position was a decision made not to advertise it despite there being a significant cohort within the ACT Public Service who could perform this job and who would, like most public servants, be able to apply for it despite being 'fully engaged with their own duties';

Who made the decision to create the position;

Who made the decision to appoint the acting manager;

Who made the decision not to advertise the position;

What involvement did the Minister for Police and Emergency Services have in the creation of the position, in the decision to appoint the acting manager and in the decision not to advertise the position;

What involvement did any of the staff from the Minister for Police and Emergency Services' office have in the creation of the position, in the decision to appoint the acting manager and in the decision not to advertise the position;

If, as the answer to Question No 856 implies, the acting manager did not apply for the job of Communications Manager, how was it possible for it to be determined, as stated in the answer to Question No 796, that 'the acting occupant of this position has significant expertise and experience in media liaison and communications, particularly within the ACT';

Further to paragraph (9), if, as the answer to Question No 796 states, there was no merit selection process for the position, how was it possible to determine that 'the acting occupant of this position has significant expertise and experience in media liaison and communications, particularly within the ACT'.

Mr Stanhope: The answer to the member's question is as follows:

With the January 2003 bushfires and other issues impacting on the Department of Justice and Community Safety, it was clear when the decision was made to engage a Communications Manager, that a continuation of ad hoc/consultancy type arrangements would have proved very expensive.

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