Page 40 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 7 April 1992
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ACTION Rationalisation
MR WESTENDE: My question is addressed to the Minister for Urban Services. Will the Minister, in accordance with the stated aims of the ACT Labor Party policy, ensure that the proper consultation process is established between the parties involved in the running of Canberra's public transport system so that inevitably rationalisation of ACTION buses can be achieved without further unwarranted and costly industrial disputation? What process has the Minister set in motion in this regard to date? Will the Minister ensure that I, as shadow Minister for transport, will be included in this consultation process and regularly informed of developments?
MR CONNOLLY: I thank Mr Westende for his question. The Labor Party certainly is committed to a consultative approach to change within the public sector, which stands in marked contrast to the somewhat confrontational approach that was taken by our Alliance predecessors and which saw such remarkable successes in public policy as the schools debacle and some of the chaos around the health system. At the moment we have within ACTION a facilitator who is engaged in consultation between the various unions with a view to a longer-term strategy for savings.
We have imposed upon ACTION in the last year's budget process a $2m savings target which must be achieved. The process of consultation and negotiation has had a recent glitch, which members would be well aware of; but we are, in accordance with the Labor Party approach to industrial relations, continually seeking talks with the union on that matter and when there has been a dispute we have moved to get it into the commission as quickly as possible so that the matter can be resolved in the appropriate forum.
It is the Government's intention to publicise a three-year target of savings for ACTION so that the community, as well as people within ACTION, can understand what it is that we expect to achieve over the period of this Government. That will be a public document available for consultation throughout the community. I have already made offers to provide appropriate briefing to Mr Westende in terms of our targets; but, of course, in terms of achieving individual budgetary targets or not, it is a matter for question time or questions on notice.
Ms Follett: Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper.
PAPERS
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer): Madam Speaker, for the information of members I present, pursuant to section 21 of the Casino Control Act 1988, approval for an interim casino dated 30 January 1992; the development agreement between the Australian Capital Territory and the Chief Minister for the Australian Capital Territory and Casino Canberra Ltd and Casinos Austria International Aktiengeselschaft for the development of an interim casino on block 13, section 65, division of City, dated 31 January 1992; and notice of arrangements for community facilities associated with the development of the casino, dated 30 January 1992.
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