Further to the Cabinet decision of August, 1988, I am committed to extending the principle of merit selection across the public sector to maximise the efficient use of human resources.

My Department, in conjunction with Dr Clare Burton, the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment, is overseeing the implementation process and has produced a Status Report and Strategic Plan for Merit Implementation which I have enclosed.

I trust that the reports will be useful in providing you with an overview of the current situation and in outlining strategies for ongoing action.

The Status Report is based on information from departments and authorities. It identifies the barriers to merit and addresses specific problems in agencies. The Strategic Plan was developed after a full analysis of agency reports. It provides directions for the future and targets to enable the 1991 goal of full implementation to be achieved.

The next progress report is due at the end of July, 1990. A proforma has been developed to assist agencies to gather relevant data for this report.

I appreciate the contribution and cooperation of the agencies in your administration and look forward to continued progress in this important initiative.

Copies of these reports will be issued directly from the Office of Public Management under separate cover to all agency heads within your administration. For further enquiries, please contact Jane Bridge in the Personnel Policy Division of OPM on 228-5513.

Nick Greiner
Premier