On 6 February 1995 the General Secretary of the Public Service Association of New South Wales wrote to me seeking answers to a list of questions of general interest to Association members in connection with the forthcoming NSW State Election. I replied on 7 March 1995.

The Association published responses from leaders of political parties in the January 1 February 1995 edition of its journal Red Tape.

As the journal went to print before my reply was received by the Association, the Government was reported as not answering the questions.

The Association has now written to its members drawing attention to the contents of an item in the Sun Herald. of 19 March 1995. The press item drew on options set out in a draft working group report on public sector reform. The draft report is not a statement of the Government's views.

The two key points are:

1) Whether permanent employment will continue to be available in the public service?
The answer is yes.

2) Whether the public service appeals system will be retained?
The answer is that protection of merit in selection and fairness in discipline will continue.

The Government has announced that a Green Paper will be published on public sector reform later this year, to be based on wide public discussion of these and related issues.

Would you please arrange for this memorandum to be widely distributed to public employees within your portfolio immediately.

J Fahey
Premier