Page 2561 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 8 August 1990
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That is a stupid position to persist with in relation to workplace safety - a stupid position. While governments persist with that position, workplace safety will deteriorate, more workers will be injured, more workers will die, more families will be without breadwinners. That is the situation. Who will bear the cost of it? The community will. Unless there are improvements in the workplace, the community will pay. But, most importantly, workers and their families will lose breadwinners and it will also cost them significantly.
I cannot for the life of me understand why decent people cannot see the light of day in relation to this matter. It is not - - -
Mr Jensen: I rise on a point of order, Mr Acting Speaker. Mr Berry is implying that I am not decent.
MR BERRY: If the cap fits, Norm, wear it!
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Yes, I think that is a reflection on the member. Mr Berry, I would ask you to withdraw any imputation that Mr Jensen is not decent.
MR BERRY: I did not make an imputation.
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Well I would ask you to withdraw any imputation.
MR BERRY: I withdraw any imputation that embarrasses Mr Jensen.
Mr Jensen: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, that is a qualified withdrawal.
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Please continue, Mr Berry.
MR BERRY: I cannot for the life of me work out why any decent person would persist with such legislation. If that was seen as an imputation, I can only say that Mr Jensen is getting a little too sensitive.
Mr Duby: It actually implies that Mr Jensen is a decent person but you cannot work out why he will not support you.
MR BERRY: Well it probably is an imputation if we are talking about him being decent. Norm is getting a bit touchy. I would not worry about it too much.
Unless the vast majority of workplaces are covered by the legislation, the community as a whole cannot expect to reap the benefits of the legislation. That is in the community's interests. What surprises me more than anything is that a party which calls itself the community party sits idly by as nothing happens in the area of occupational health and safety.
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