Lyn Allison (Victoria, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—On behalf of my colleague Senator Bartlett, I move Democrat amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 4957, circulated in his name:

(1)    Schedule 8, item 9, page 62 (after line 19), at the end of section 114D, add:

        (3)    In making an appointment in accordance with subsection (1), the Minister is to have regard to the merit selection processes described in section 114DA.

(2)   Schedule 8, item 9, page 62 (after line 19) after section 114D, insert:

114DA  Procedures for merit selection of Director

        (1)    The Minister must, within 9 months of the commencement of this section, determine a code of practice for selecting and appointing the Director that must include the following general principles:

             (a)    merit, including but not limited to appropriate subject, research and management experience; and

             (b)    appointment on the recommendation of an independent selection panel established by the Minister; and

             (c)    probity; and

             (d)    openness and transparency, including where the Minister appoints a person not nominated by the selection panel, the requirement for a statement to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament setting out:

                   (i)    the reason for not accepting the recommendations made in accordance with paragraph (b); and

                  (ii)    the reasons for the Ministers decision.

        (2)    The Minister must cause to be tabled in both Houses of the Parliament a copy of the code of practice within 15 sitting days after determining the code in accordance with subsection (1).

        (3)    The Minister must cause to be tabled in both Houses of the Parliament an amendment to the code of practice within 15 sitting days after the amendment is made.

114DB  Audit of Procedures

        (1)    The operation of section 114DA must be audited by the Public Service Commissioner each financial year.

        (2)    The result of an audit conducted in accordance with this section is to be included in the annual report of the Public Service Commissioner.

        (3)    An audit conducted pursuant to subsection (1) must examine the code of practice as determined and any appointments made in accordance with the code of practice.

These are standard Democrats amendments to legislation, requiring that appointments to, in this case, the Institute of Family Studies be made on the basis of merit.