Page 5380 - Week 17 - Tuesday, 3 December 1991
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Health are achieved. The consultative process with all affected unions and the union liaison officer has to date proved advantageous to both the health unions and ACT Health management in achieving this outcome.
In relation to specific numbers, it would be difficult, in the extreme, at this stage, to provide accurate numbers, because it has to do with the classifications of staff positions which are disposed of or made redundant. I think it shows Mr Humphries' naivety on this issue for him to ask such a question. It is about working out between management and unions the number of staff positions across a broad range of classifications in a whole range of professional areas, and that process is ongoing. We have established a process with the unions which so far has been satisfactory. We intend to continue to work towards the budget savings that we said that we would achieve.
The board, incidentally, as I have said many times, have indicated that the budget settings are tight but they are prepared to live within them, and I am prepared to allow the board to manage the process of what staff reductions are necessary within the agreed processes with the unions.
MR HUMPHRIES: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. I again ask the question and I hope the Minister makes some effort to answer on this occasion.
Mr Berry: I made a very sterling effort last time.
MR HUMPHRIES: It is a very simple question; just think about it. What number of full year equivalent staff need to be shed this year to achieve the Government's savings targets? If 275 staff are shed on 29 June, clearly no saving will be made in this financial year, or a negligible saving will be made in this financial year. How many full year equivalent staff do you need to shed this year in order to be able to achieve your targets.?
Mr Berry: Which level, which classification?
MR HUMPHRIES: Any classification, any one at all. I invite you to name any classification.
MR BERRY: Mr Humphries shows how naive he is on this issue. He says, "Any classification". Would it be a member of a classification that is paid $50,000 per annum or one that is paid $20,000 per annum? What classification? I told you. I answered the question fully.
Mr Humphries asked a silly question: What will be the number? As I have said, the number has to do with the classifications which are identified and the amount of wages or salary that they would receive in any one year, before you can work out the figure. The board is continually working with the unions to achieve the savings which are set out in the budget. That will require a
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