Page 3183 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 9 November 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
work is comparable to unemployment as a risk factor for poor mental health, and this is very concerning.
Our commitment to driving secure employment is why we have been working cooperatively with businesses, unions and the community to design and implement an integrated suite of reforms that foster safe and secure work. One example of these reforms is the Secure Local Jobs Code which uses the government’s procurement power to encourage a high ethical and labour standard amongst our contractors. A more recent example uses the territory’s licensing powers to ensure that labour hire operators fulfil their workplace obligations to their employees.
Portable long service leave is one of our longest standing and most effective initiatives in this area. Long service leave is an important workplace entitlement that supports workers, their wellbeing and productivity. The government is proud of our long service leave portable schemes legislation and what it has achieved for workers and employers in the industry sectors it already covers.
Since the portable long service leave schemes were introduced, globalisation and other factors have increased levels of workforce casualisation, short-term agency work and outsourcing. The positive health, wellbeing and productivity value of portable long service is increased in these circumstances. Consequently, it is important that we consider the scheme’s scope of coverage.
I am also proud to be supporting this motion from Mr Pettersson today, and the government will not be supporting Mr Cain’s amendment to the motion that we have heard. The act already provides clear guidance on ministerial declarations, under sections 12 and 13. Importantly, it ensures that ministers can make a decision only if it is consistent with the objects of the act. This amendment would change the legislative powers under the act to administrative powers that are subject to further process and may restrict the powers under the act.
The government will not support any move to water down or weaken this legislation that provides essential protection for workers. We need to be doing more to provide secure jobs in our community, not undermining schemes that will help provide this. Despite what Mr Cain may say, his amendment is nothing more than a fig leaf designed to undermine the right of workers.
It is this government’s intention that portable long service leave schemes should be expanded, and the motion is reflective of the shared commitment under the parliamentary and governing agreement for the 10th Legislative Assembly of the ACT to amend the portable long service leave scheme legislation to ensure more workers receive fair entitlements as they move jobs in their profession.
Mr Pettersson has highlighted the contract cleaning industry for possible expansion under the portable leave schemes, and I note that last year the previous Assembly passed a motion putting forward the hairdressing industry for possible coverage. Sectors that are currently covered by the portable long service leave were selected in part based on the degree of short-term employment, contract work, high mobility and
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video