Page 2401 - Week 11 - Thursday, 2 November 1989
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with in the normal way that disciplinary issues are dealt with. If there is a criminal matter that ought to be dealt with, then it should be dealt with by the police if it is reported to them. If there is an industrial issue, in accordance with this Government's policy, industrial disputes which are not settled between management and unions ought to be settled in the Industrial Relations Commission.
I think it is extremely important that this Assembly is aware that the Government, as far as is possible, is prepared to let management manage, and the circumstances which Mr Collaery has seized upon to try to do a bit of headline grabbing is an issue for management. I might add that I have written to one of the employees involved and asked her to contact management to provide further information because it was felt that the information available to management was insufficient. I have asked her to provide further information so that management can investigate the matter further. This is largely a management matter and it needs to take its course before there is interference by Government in what are management matters.
Public Housing
MR MOORE: My question is to Mrs Grassby as Minister for Housing. I note that the Federal Government has recently announced Cabinet approval for a $4 billion public housing package. In passing, might I congratulate the ACT Government on its 27 September announcement foreshadowing the fact that the package would include $17m to be allocated to the ACT. Will the Government be implementing the Federal Government's objectives regarding improved security of tenure for public housing tenants, the Commonwealth-State planning process, independent appeals mechanisms, portability of wait times, improved eligibility criteria which are consistent throughout the country, improved choice of assistance, improved home purchase mortgage instruments and other consumer protection measures embodied in that agreement?
MRS GRASSBY: Well, I got a long question so I hope you are ready for a long answer. The answer is yes to all those questions. In my ministerial statement to the Legislative Assembly on 27 September 1989 I outlined a broad housing strategy that would flow from the ACT becoming a party to a new 10-year Commonwealth-State housing agreement, the CSHA. This is the first time that the ACT has been able to participate in the CSHA as a full partner with the other States and the Northern Territory. The announcement this week that the Commonwealth Government will guarantee funding for four years is a direct result of representations from all States, including the ACT. I commend Peter Staples for his achievements in convincing his colleagues of the importance of long-term planning.
As a party to the new agreement, the ACT will be bound by all the objectives, principles and other requirements of
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