Page 2777 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 14 August 1990
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of public importance. If they cannot debate them, what is the point in wasting the Assembly's time?
Mr Berry: You have to answer the question. See if you can answer it. You cannot answer the challenge.
MR JENSEN: I will answer the challenge, Mr Berry, right now. Mr Acting Speaker, through you I will answer the challenge that Mr Berry has made right now. Once again, it is unfortunate to see the nature of the personal attacks that we find coming across the table from Mr Berry. Fortunately, Mr Connolly was quite erudite. His arguments may not have been that crash hot, but at least he was prepared to debate the issue and not necessarily the personalities involved. This is Mr Berry's normal tactic, unfortunately, as he waffles on day after day, time after time, on these sorts of issues.
It is good that this matter has been brought forward by the Opposition today because it gives the Government an opportunity to announce its decision in relation to the sorts of concerns that have been applying in the ACT in relation to contract operations for some time.
Mr Berry: Tell us what you are going to do to protect subcontractors. Tell us that. Stop pussyfooting around.
MR JENSEN: If Mr Berry will be patient, I will give him his answer. These issues have been around for some time, throughout the time of the previous Federal Labor governments in the ACT and also the past Follett Labor Government. Following extensive discussions with subcontractors involved in the industry, the Chief Minister proposes to establish a subcommittee of his industry consultative forum which will deal specifically with matters relating to the ACT construction industry. It is envisaged that this subcommittee will comprise representatives of a wide range of organisations represented in the construction industry in Canberra. Such organisations would comprise representatives of the Trades and Labour Council including the building trades group, the Australian Federation of Construction Contractors, the Master Builders Construction and Housing Association, the ACT Contractors Association, the specialist contractors association, the Building Owners and Managers Association, representatives of material suppliers, the Association of Professional Engineers, the Royal Australian Institute of Architects and the Federal Government through the Australian Construction Services. There will also be representatives from within the areas of administration with an interest in the construction industry. These will include the economic development division, the industrial relations and occupational health and safety group, the Transport and Engineering Division and ACT Public Works.
Unlike the ex-Government opposite and the previous administrations that have had care over the ACT, this Government is taking some positive action. All we hear
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