Prev: The ideas of Time?
Next: Wireless internet
From: Rob on 8 Feb 2010 22:40
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/how-to-get-a-450000-job-no-ads-required--just-a-nice-word-from-the-minister-20100209-no66.html



Of all the Rudd Government�s ambitious ''nation building'' plans, its
scheme to plough billions of dollars into building a superfast
communications network is the most risky and dubious.

A highly-regarded Labor political strategist, Kaiser was appointed last
November to the $450,000 a year position as head of government relations
and external affairs for NBN Co, the government-owned company which is
to build the $43 billion broadband network.

Now we have learnt that there was a singular lack of process around this
hiring - and apparently around many of the hirings at NBN Co.

In response to Opposition questions at a Senate estimates hearing on
Monday, NBN Co's chief executive Mike Quigley said it was Communications
Minister Stephen Conroy who had suggested Kaiser for the position.

Quigley told the hearing that after Kaiser was mentioned by Senator
Conroy he had referred the name to NBN Co's head of human resources.

Kaiser was hired after two interviews, one with Quigley, and reference
checks. The job was not advertised. There was no executive search
process. No other candidates were short-listed.

Yet Quigley insisted this was an appropriate selection processs. ''We
made an assessment against what we believed the job needed to have.
We've done that in other circumstances also,'' he told the Senate
standing committee on environment, communications and the arts

"snips excluded"
 | 
Pages: 1
Prev: The ideas of Time?
Next: Wireless internet