Page 1474 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 26 September 1989
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What is the timetable for the installation of emergency telephones and lights along the Tuggeranong Parkway.
Mrs Grassby: The answer to the member's question is as follows: This Government will provide $117,000 in 1989-90 to enable installation of emergency telephones between Glenloch Interchange and the Cotter Road. Work will commence in the latter half of the current financial year.
There is no current program to install additional street lighting on the Tuggeranong Parkway. However, street lighting is now being installed on Drakeford Drive between Sulwood Drive and Athllon Drive.
Workers Compensation
(Question No. 20)
Mr Jensen asked the Minister for Industry, Employment and Education, upon notice, on 26 July 1989, the following questions:
(1) Have workers compensation premium payments exceeding $1m in value made over the last five years, by construction companies engaged in contracts in the ACT, been made at the standard building workers compensation premium rate applying at the time.
(2) Are some construction companies exploiting a loophole in workers compensation legislation by classifying workers as subcontractors, thereby passing on the burden of compensation premiums to those so-called subcontractors even though the working relationship of master-servant remains.
(3) What steps are being taken to ensure that such a loophole is closed and that all companies engaged in construction work pay building workers compensation premiums at an equitable rate according to the value of their contracts.
Mr Whalan: My response is as follows:
(1) No information is held by the ACT Government of individual policies or premiums paid by employers. It is general practice, however, for insurance companies to offer discounts to clients who may have substantial contracts and have a good claims record.
(2) My office is not aware of construction companies classifying building workers as subcontractors to avoid taking out workers compensation insurance cover for their workers. Policing of this matter is very difficult with there being little power in existing legislation to enable inspectors to inspect employers' books if a workers compensation policy is held by the
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