Published Wednesday, 04 June, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Springborg’s public service amendments legislate a ‘hit list’
The Leader of the Opposition today sought to legislate a “hit list” approach to the employment of senior public servants, Premier Anna Bligh told State Parliament.
“His proposed changes would entrench politicising of the public service and hamper good government,” she said this afternoon.
The Leader of the Opposition sought an amendment allowing the appointment of Government Department heads for only as long as the term of Government - unless other arrangements had been agreed with him.
“This is absurd. It goes against established tradition where an independent public service provides frank and fearless advice to government,” said the Premier.
“Springborg wants a pineapple republic approach where public servants are beholden to politicians. The amendment is completely impractical and would significantly hamper ongoing operation of government.
“If we want to attract quality candidates we need to offer certainty. This would be ludicrous where contracts would be offered for just a couple of months.
“The government is in a competitive market and we want the best. We have to be prepared to relocate people and to bring them overseas and interstate. They will not do that when all we could offer them is a contract for a few months or so.
“ We are not going to have something like the Health Department have an acting DG for 12 months waiting for the next election.
“Under this we would not only be playing with the individual applicant and his or her families lives - we would be imposing uncertainty and instability on the impacted department.
“This would clearly put at risk successful continued operation of government,” said the Premier.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
“His proposed changes would entrench politicising of the public service and hamper good government,” she said this afternoon.
The Leader of the Opposition sought an amendment allowing the appointment of Government Department heads for only as long as the term of Government - unless other arrangements had been agreed with him.
“This is absurd. It goes against established tradition where an independent public service provides frank and fearless advice to government,” said the Premier.
“Springborg wants a pineapple republic approach where public servants are beholden to politicians. The amendment is completely impractical and would significantly hamper ongoing operation of government.
“If we want to attract quality candidates we need to offer certainty. This would be ludicrous where contracts would be offered for just a couple of months.
“The government is in a competitive market and we want the best. We have to be prepared to relocate people and to bring them overseas and interstate. They will not do that when all we could offer them is a contract for a few months or so.
“ We are not going to have something like the Health Department have an acting DG for 12 months waiting for the next election.
“Under this we would not only be playing with the individual applicant and his or her families lives - we would be imposing uncertainty and instability on the impacted department.
“This would clearly put at risk successful continued operation of government,” said the Premier.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500