Page 2529 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 13 October 1992
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Mr De Domenico: Madam Speaker, as a matter of procedure, I suppose, may I ask the question again because I did not get an answer?
MADAM SPEAKER: Try it as a supplementary question, Mr De Domenico. I will see.
MR DE DOMENICO: As a supplementary question: Does he agree with Senator Cook or does he not? If he does agree, will he instigate an inquiry to make sure that no over-award payments are given in the ACT, unless under proper circumstances?
MR BERRY: Over-award payments, Madam Speaker, are part of some private sector areas.
Mr De Domenico: And some government areas.
MR BERRY: In paid rates awards there are no over-award payments. I think what you are referring to are illegal payments. You really have to come in here with a better understanding of the industrial relations process. I have said before in this place, I think in response to a question that was very similar, that managers in the public sector have the responsibility of managing the way paid rates awards are applied to employees in the public sector. It is their job to ensure that payments are made in accordance with those awards, the awards of the Industrial Relations Commission. Where there is dispute between managers and employees, there is a process available in the Industrial Relations Commission to settle those sorts of issues. If Mr De Domenico has the goods, let us see them. Lay them on the table. If you are not - - -
Mr De Domenico: I just asked whether you agreed with your Federal colleague; that is all.
MR BERRY: You tried to draw a comparison between something that Senator Cook is saying and something which obviously applies to the private sector, to a great degree.
Mr De Domenico: Are you sure of that?
MR BERRY: You are talking about over-award payments. If you do your school work properly you will probably find out that it does. Go away and do it again. Come back and ask the question again when you have better information. I am telling you that, as far as paid rates awards are concerned, in the government sector in the ACT, the managers have the responsibility to manage them. Where disputes arise in relation to payments, they will be settled in an appropriate forum, that is, the Industrial Relations Commission.
Department of Education and Training - Secretary
MR KAINE: I would like to address a question to the Minister for Education. It has to do with the appointment of the secretary of this department. Minister, will you tell us how many education chief executives, both in the States and at the Commonwealth level, were approached to provide professional advice on the merit of the candidates for appointment to that position, particularly in connection with the person who has been appointed?
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