THE TASMANIAN Greens have called on the State government to clarify whether it intends to fill the new position of Tasmanian State Architect, applications for the jobs having closed in December last year.
“Where is the much vaunted Tasmanian State Architect?” Greens infrastructure spokesperson Tim Morris MP asked.
“Despite the advertisement that appeared in newspapers that stated the application period closed on the 12 December last year, three months later there does not appear to have been much movement in filling this significant position,” Morris said.
Premier David Bartlett MP responded to the Greens’ call today, saying the selection panel has finalised a shortlist and that interviews will be conducted at the beginning of April.
“The Government will be in a position to announce the successful applicant once the panel has finished its deliberations and made a recommendation,” Bartlett said.
The Tasmanian State Architect was a new position established by the Bartlett government to help plan and develop a Hobart Waterfront Master Plan, as well as advise on the government’s building and infrastructure projects.
The 2008-09 State Budget allocated $263,000 under the Department of Justice, to establish the office of the Tasmanian State Architect, the Greens said.
Morris raised alarm about the position yesterday, asking whether it was going to fall victim to the new budget constraints. “People have a right to know if this is the case, as the government is relying upon its infrastructure spend to help buffer Tasmania against the worst of the economic fallout,” said Morris.
“At the moment we have the Premier running around initiating infrastructure projects without having the professional expertise that he promised would be on board,” he said.
The Premier said a “good quality field” of applicants had responded to the position advertisement.
