Public Service Employees

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:14): My question is to the Leader of the Government. Can the minister assure the house that the government will not support any proposed policy change that would see the overwhelming majority of Public Service executive positions being appointed by chief executive officers of departments without going to advertisement and without using merit-based selection processes?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:15): I thank the honourable member for his most important question and his ongoing interest in these particular matters. I think current policies have served us very well. They have provided the government with the flexibility we need as well as the rigour and transparency and accountability that we should show the public.