PoliticalClaims.au

**Legitimate Criticisms:** - The failure to notify board members before advertising their positions demonstrates poor administrative process and disrespect for the individuals involved [original source] - Board members who had served the NDIS since its inception deserved direct communication about the government's intentions regarding their positions - The incident created unnecessary uncertainty and damaged working relationships **Context and Mitigating Factors:** - Government board appointments are ministerial prerogatives in the Westminster system - Board members serve at the pleasure of the government and terms are not automatically renewed - The NDIS was still in its early implementation phase (launched July 2013, only 2 years prior), and the government may have had legitimate reasons for seeking fresh board composition - The Australian Government Appointments Framework notes that reappointments follow the same procedures as appointments, suggesting advertising positions is standard practice even for incumbents [3] **Normal Government Practice:** The Victorian Public Sector Commission guidance states: "It is common practice for current Board Directors to re-apply" when their terms expire [4].

This suggests that advertising positions—even for sitting board members—is not inherently improper, though notification should be provided as a courtesy. **Systemic Issue Across Parties:** The 2022 Briggs Review found widespread issues with board appointments across Australian governments of all political persuasions.