Thursday, 31 August 2023
Questions without notice and ministers statements
Government appointment process
Government appointment process
Sam GROTH (Nepean) (14:29): My question is to the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events. The government has recently appointed former Labor ministers Martin Foley, Lisa Neville and James Merlino to senior positions within public entities. Can the minister advise whether it is government policy that all appointments within his portfolio will have an open and transparent selection process?
Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Creative Industries) (14:29): I thank the member for his question. I reject the implication in his question.
Daniel Andrews: Exactly. So does Gordon Rich-Phillips.
Steve DIMOPOULOS: Exactly – Gordon Rich-Phillips. Every single appointment we make is on merit, and I would encourage the member, if he has an actual example of one that is not meritorious, to share it with the house. I might also share with the member – I do not want to give him too much of a heads-up, but I have had some really good conversations with a bunch of your colleagues who are very interested and who may in the most recent expressions of interest have put a few names in. So watch this space.
The SPEAKER: Order! Minister, through the Chair. A reminder that comments are to be made through the Chair.
Sam GROTH (Nepean) (14:30): It has been announced that the chair of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation Paul Little’s term will end in September. Has the government made a decision to appoint a former Labor minister to this position?
The SPEAKER: Order! The minister should wait to be called before he responds.