Unstacking boards... as easy as ABC

Date: 05 June 2007

Stacks off, B2!

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has welcomed an Opposition proposal to establish a consultation and panel process for appointments to the
ABC Boards, based on a UK Government process known as the 'Nolan rules'.

CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones said today all sides of politics should embrace this arms length approach and expand it to other government boards.

The proposed policy for ABC appointments follows last weeks announcement by the Opposition that appointments to Fair Work Australia (FWA) would also be selected by an independent panel.

According to government documents there are currently more than 130 separate boards with more than 1000 appointees. These include advisory panels, government corporations, government business enterprises, commissions and statutory authorities.

"Public sector workers would warmly welcome the establishment of an arm's length panel, but it will have benefits for the whole community too.

"To have faith in our public institutions, the community needs to be confident that the people appointed to key positions are there because of their merit and capacity, not their political allegiances.

"These institutions shape the policies that shape our community in vital area such as health, the law, the economy, culture, climate, administration, education, the environment, transport, industry, business and civil society.

"Under successive governments - both Liberal and Labor - board appointments have in many instances tarnished the reputation of the institution concerned because they have been seen to be politically motivated.

"Recent board appointments to the Reserve Bank, CSIRO, Australian Wheat Authority and ABC have seen the Federal Government exposed to accusations of making overtly 'political' appointments.

"There must be an independent process for inviting applications to statutory boards. Applications should be advertised in the mass media with specific selection criteria. They would then go to an independent assessment panel who would draw up a short-list of suitable candidates from which the relevant Minister would make a selection.

"The independence of the panel itself could be assured by requiring it to have the support of two-thirds of Parliament or the acceptance of the Council of Australian Governments,"

"The ALP announcements on the ABC and FWA are a good start and should now extend to other Government boards and key appointments," he said.

Some of the key organisations that would benefit from a more transparent appointment process include: ABC, SBS, ANSTO, CSIRO, AEC, ACCC, Future Fund, ARPANSA, Medibank Private, Health Services Australia, AirServices Australia, Reserve Bank, National Library, Tourism Australia, Board of Taxation, Productivity Commission, National Gallery, Privacy Commission, Aust Film Commission, Veteran's Review Board, Australia. Landcare Council, HREOC, National Water Commission, Foreign Investment Review Board, Public Service Commission.

Comment: Stephen Jones 0417 261 152

More information:
CPSU submission about ABC board appointments
Union pushes for unbiased boards
Nolan Rules explained

For further information

Contact:	Stephen Jones
Union:	CPSU - National Office
Phone:	0417 261 152
Email:	Dermot.Browne@CPSU.org.au

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