Monday, 23rd January, 2006

Appointments based on merit have been the foundation of public service appointments under the Westminster system for more than a century but the principle is being temporarily abandoned in Queensland. The State's Public Service Commissioner George O'Farrell has given the Government an exemption from the requirement to advertise vacancies and "appoint on merit" for staff medical specialist positions in the State's public hospitals from 20 January 2006 until 28 April 2006.