Page 958 - Week 03 - Thursday, 14 March 1991
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Since that time, we have seen the implementation of rolling work bans supported by the Opposition for political - I repeat, political - and not industrial ends. Even the arbitration commissioner would not rule that the issue concerning bans on work in closed schools was industrial.
These actions have not helped the construction industry and its subcontractors at a time when the industry, like most of the economy, is going through a severe recession, and going through a recession brought about by the policies of the Federal Labor Government - this Opposition's colleagues.
Public works procedures which utilise standard contractual forms are common to the public works authorities in all States and Territories. Frankly, Mr Speaker, they have stood the test of time. The problems that the building industry is experiencing at present are the result of the disastrous economic climate created by their friends in the Federal Parliament - created by Mr Keating - and not the result of the procedures used by the government public works group.
Mr Connolly: Ratbags.
MR DUBY: Who is a ratbag?
Mr Connolly: The ratbags in the community that usually get blamed.
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR DUBY: The high interest rates and the current recession are putting enormous pressure on all sectors of private business, and bankruptcies are at an all time high. That is nothing to do with the public works area. That is a direct result of Mr Keating's policies. The construction industry has always been one which suffers badly in such conditions, when private sector investment ceases, when people cannot get money, and when interest rates are held artificially high for overdue periods of time.
These conditions impact on contractors and subcontractors who rely on work both from the private sector and from the Government for their viability. I acknowledge that it is particularly important that in these circumstances Public Works should scrutinise the contractors who are given projects to ensure that they are viable. I can assure Mr Connolly that this is being done.
Whilst there have been several contractors who have experienced financial difficulties in recent times, I think we should put this into the context of the program of work managed by my Public Works department. The total program at any one time is about $300m for capital works and around $50m for maintenance, which generate a cash expenditure in excess of some $200m. This program utilises some 3,000
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