Defence assistant secretary appointment
The exchange continued on Craughwell’s criticism of the new Defence Department assistant secretary post. The Leader defended the appointment as a personnel role, said the House has no role in such appointments, and refused the amendment despite Craughwell calling it a jobs-for-the-boys case.
Why did it take 75 pages of documentation from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform?
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Neither will the Department.
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Does Senator Craughwell want to hear my reply or not? If he does not, I will not reply.
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Was Senator Norris here for the question?
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The job specification states the position is to deal with personnel issues in the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. There are only two assistant secretaries in the Department of Defence. Senator Craughwell has raised issues in the Defence Forces on more than one occasion and this appointment will deal with personnel issues. I am not aware of any posts not being filled and the Government has allowed for funding for 9,500 staff, which would make the Defence Forces fully funded. If there are issues around posts being filled, it is in specialist areas in the military and the forces are working to solve them.
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We moved a debate from defence to accommodate the Senator and I am more than happy for the Minister to come to the House, although I know he is not available tonight. He is willing to come in but I will not accept the Senator's amendment to the Order of Business. The matter he has raised is one we can discuss with the Minister. This House has no role in the appointment of assistant secretaries or departmental officials. That is a role for the public service.
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It is a classic case of jobs for the boys.