Page 811 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 16 June 1992
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Trading Hours and the Labour Market
MR DE DOMENICO: My question without notice is to the Chief Minister. I refer the Chief Minister to a report in the Canberra Times this morning headed "Extend trading hours: report", together with an interview done by the ABC's Mr Errol Silver with a Dr Colin Adrian from the Chief Minister's Economic Development Division on youth unemployment. In light of the recommendations included in the report of her own EPACT, will the Chief Minister and her Government now move to deregulate trading hours and at the same time deregulate the labour market?
MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr De Domenico for the question. I am very pleased to know that he is taking notice of such an important report as the one produced by my Economic Priorities Advisory Committee. I might just mention, Madam Speaker, that I will be seeking leave to make a statement about the work of that committee later in the week, so we will be able to go into it in a bit more detail. One of the matters traversed in EPACT's report on the youth labour market does concern retail trading hours. It also concerns the position of many of our young people seeking employment in that sector and in other sectors. What I have done with the report, Madam Speaker, is refer it to my Ministers, and, indeed, to the Assembly's Social Policy Committee, for their views.
On the direct question that Mr De Domenico has asked about the extended trading hours, that is a matter to which the Government will be giving close consideration. In fact, I have asked each Minister to look at all the recommendations from that report, particularly with a view to those that can be implemented quickly. The trading hours recommendation is one that EPACT considered would have a beneficial impact on the position of youth unemployment; but there are many others as well, and I do not want them overshadowed because of one or two that might be headline grabbers.
There is also a matter of youth employment in the public sector, in the public service, both ACT and Federal, and I think that needs to be taken up as well. They have also made recommendations about traineeships and apprenticeships - another matter which must be taken up swiftly and addressed swiftly. To conclude, Madam Speaker, the question of extended trading hours is one which the Government is giving consideration to, and we will certainly be looking closely at the recommendations of EPACT and, of course, of other inquiries.
MR DE DOMENICO: Madam Speaker, I have a supplementary question. I thank the Chief Minister for her answer. I did also mention, as well as trading hours, the deregulation of the labour market because, as the Chief Minister knows, one goes with the other.
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, the answer is similar. I have referred that matter to the appropriate Minister and he will advise me on the course of action that he will be taking.
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