Page 3280 - Week 10 - Thursday, 25 August 2005

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A number of other technical changes are also being made. For example, references to the title of Calvary Hospital are being updated. The bill also clarifies the employment powers of certain executives of government agencies and instrumentalities, where those executives are given the powers of a chief executive in relation to staff of the agency or instrumentality that are deemed to be covered by the act.

To provide certainty about existing employment and employment decisions, the bill confirms the validity of appointments made by such executives pursuant to those employment powers before the commencement of the revised provisions. It also makes consequential amendments to other legislation to ensure the relevant terminology is used consistently. The changes under the bill will apply to all existing chief executives and executives, as there will be no prejudicial impact on current entitlements.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Detail stage

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

MR SMYTH (Brindabella—Leader of the Opposition) (5.06): I seek leave to move both of my amendments together.

Leave granted.

MR SMYTH: I move amendments Nos 1 and 2 circulated in my name [see schedule 1 at page 3294].

The amendments remove, in two proposed new sections, the phrase “two years” and insert “12 months”. Two years for a temporary contract seems an incredibly long time. There are consequences for an individual taking up a two-year contract as well as for the person that backfills their position. If it is a short-term contract, as listed, we believe that 12 months is an adequate period for the work to be carried out. If it is for more than 12 months, obviously it is an ongoing job and it should be continued as a permanent position.

Question put:

That Mr Smyth’s amendments be agreed to:

The Assembly voted—

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