BRITISH EXPERT

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 21, 26 January 1938, Page 7

BRITISH EXPERT

HEALTH INSURANCE

THE AUSTRALIAN SCHEME

(From "The PustV. Representative.) SYDNEY, January 20.

It is likely that an effort will be made to induce the English expert on pensions and insurance. Sir Walter Kinnear, to take control of the Australian pensions and health insurance scheme for the first twelve months at least. ■

Sir Walter Kinnearj who is due in Australia on February 7, recently retired from the post of Controller of Insurance at the British Ministry of Health. He is coining to Australia to assist the Federal Government in inaugurating the scheme, on the understanding that he should not be detained long. Strong, efforts, however, will probably be. made by the Government to induce him to accept a twelve-months' appointment, at a salary of at least' £3000 a year. The difficulty in finding a suitable man within Australia arises mainly from the low scale of Commonwealth salaries for men with high professional qualifications. The . Cabinet realises that the salaries it is able to. offer for high positions. are much below (he scale of payment to similar qualified men outside the Public Service, but it would be difficult to induce Parliament to agree to higher salaries. Actuaries employed,.by, leading- insurance companies in Australia are not likely tp consider an offer to take control of the Federal scheme, because these men are paid high salaries, and have the right of private practice, which would not be possible in a Federal post. Within the service the choice of men with; suitable qualifications is extremely limited, and the recent appointment of Sir Harry Sbeehan as Governor of the Commonwealth. Bank, has-made-the services of senior • ■ officers- • with- • financial experience much more valuable to the Commonwealth Public Service. The .Assistant Secretary to the British Ministry pi Health (Mr. v Lindsay), whose services have been lent to the Commonwealth by the British Government for the inauguration of a national health scheme, has arrived in Sydney and is later to confer with the Treasurer (Mr. Casey) and senior Treasury officials.