I can support North Side independent Member of the Legislative Assembly, Ezzard Miller’s call for the government to change the constitution and put an end to top public sector life-long appointments, most of the way.

Miller says those holding top jobs within specialist public sector bodies such as the complaints commissioner, the auditor general or the director of public prosecutions should not have those jobs for life. He suggests a three years term only with a possibility of renewal for two more years if they do a good job. However, he wants a five years limit on the amount of time that anyone should serve. He added, at present there is no way to remove people who fail to live up to their high office.

Where I don’t agree with him is why someone who is doing an excellent job cannot continue past 5 years? That makes precious little sense to me.

You have the great danger of removing a person who has proved himself, knows all the ropes, and you replace him with a greenhorn who has a three year period to prove how hopeless he is.

No, sir, that is plain daft.

He implies there is no way to remove someone after five years but that is nonsense, too.

If you can change the constitution to put an end to top public sector life-long appointments, you must be able to stipulate that someone in a position over 5 years can still be removed if he suddenly proves unsatisfactory.

His idea is to get the people holding the posts for five year terms to re-apply for another five years. That’s a bit pointless when you can implement a law to remove them at anytime they fail.

He said he believes it is too long for the same person to hold these important independent positions as no one is able to hold them to account.

Of course we can hold them to account by implementing a few simple rules.

Putting term limits, making them reapply is ridiculous.

I can agree again with him when he makes the very strong point there is no evaluation process and no one is assessing whether or not those holding senior life time contracts are doing a good job.

“There is no mechanism for review or evaluation in a number of senior and very important positions and that needs to be addressed,” Miller is reported by CNS as saying.

Here. Here.

Miller has studied the constitution very closely and he also points out this may require a referendum as the constitution calls for all but minor changes,

If it is necessary then so be it.

Miller suggests if a referendum is required it would be cheaper to do it at the same time as the 2017 election. I 100% agree.

Miller is seeking a select committee of the parliament to be set up to examine the constitutionally established and protected posts.

I hope he does get the necessary support from the other members of the LA.

Jobs for life? That has always been a big NO in my book.