Page 1991 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 24 October 1989
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out last November and which did have some amendments made prior to this Bill coming before this house this year.
The Canberra Association for Regional Development put in a detailed submission. It spoke of the need for diversification of the ACT economic base, and I think that is something that this Assembly should bear in mind when we consider this Bill. It stated:
For the foreseeable future Commonwealth Governments are likely to continue to exercise restraint over Commonwealth spending. Because of the structure of the ACT economy, the ACT is more vulnerable than the States to a slowdown in Commonwealth employment and the spending on capital works and the clampdown on Commonwealth employment is likely to slow the ACT population growth rate. Furthermore, the NCDC estimates that over the next five years some 20,800 of Canberra's 15 to 24 year olds will enter the labour force, 8 per cent more than the already high level of the previous five years.
Private sector growth offers the only practical solution to the task of providing jobs for Canberra's young people and to ensuring balanced and sustained economic progress for the ACT.
It went on to say:
If this legislation is passed and it reduces the private sector's capacities, CARD contends it will be counter-productive to the necessary growth and strengthening of the ACT's private sector. All bodies including government, unions, private sector, and indeed the community must be cognisant of this impact.
On our industrial relations record, it also stated:
A study of industrial relations in the ACT clearly indicates to any unbiased observer that the costs to the community have been extensive. The ACT is compact, small, and unique in Australia and lends itself to setting up a model in industrial relations second to none. CARD considers that this proposed occupational health and safety legislation will not be conducive to a satisfactory industrial relations climate which the ACT will need for a secure future.
The Canberra Chamber of Commerce also put in a submission. It talked, among other things, about the designated work group, and it stated:
The Chamber of Commerce submits that a small employer is not confined to one who has less than 10 employees. This "cut off point" will cause
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