THE IMAGE OF THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR: THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE PRESS*

The theme of this conference is "the image of the public administrator". This puts me immediately on the spot, since I suspect that many public servants believe that if that image is less flattering than they would like it to be, the fault lies largely with the press. This notion, which is also popular in the professions, is at once comforting and dangerous. It is comforting because it is always a relief to find that it is someone else's fault that one is unloved. It is dangerous because it encourages a retreat back into complacency.     

THE ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION*

The creation of an Australian Government Department of the Environment and Conservation represents, I believe, a major step at the national government level towards bringing a new dimension into the decision-making process. The significance of this step remains to be seen. It will depend on continuing acceptance by all levels of government of the need to have regard to environment and conservation matters in making decisions, and it is too soon yet to predict to what extent it will be accepted.     

SOME ASPECTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY OF GOLD COAST

The Administration appointed to take over the Gold Coast City Council was constituted as follows. An Administrator was appointed by the Governor in Council on 4 March 1978. He became Administrator and Chairman of the Executive Committee. The Administrator thus became the Council of the City of Gold Coast. Two Members of the Executive Committee were appointed on the same date by the Minister for Local Government and Main Roads to assist the Administrator. The initial term of appointment was to 30 June 1978, later extended to 30 September 1978, and finally extended to 31 March 1979 to coincide with the Triennial Local Government elections in the State of Queensland. In each case it was the Governor in Council who extended the term of the Administrator and the Minister who extended the terms of the Committee Members.