Page 2555 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 13 October 1992
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and safety representative arrangements to oversee their health and safety. The Minister stated that it was the policy of the Government to extend these arrangements to cover a greater portion of the workforce. The reduction of the designated workgroup exemption limit would see the requirement to have designated workgroups extended to employers having between 10 and 20 employees. The Minister drew attention to the ACT's low workers compensation rates and suggested that much credit lay with the ACT's OH and S Act.
We have seen, Madam Speaker, what the industry and the business community think of that statement - that it was not true. It was a false statement. It was not true. The reason why workers compensation premiums fell by 20 per cent was that the industry and the former Liberal Government sat down and negotiated. The industry decided to reduce workers compensation premiums. We know that that is the way it operates, Mr Berry.
Mr Lamont: Say that again.
MR DE DOMENICO: I will repeat it, Madam Speaker. Mr Lamont obviously does not understand. It was the insurance industry's decision to lower premiums by 20 per cent.
Mr Lamont: Before that.
Mrs Carnell: In consultation with the Liberal Party.
MR DE DOMENICO: In consultation with the Liberal Government.
Mr Lamont: You are trying to convince us that the Liberal Government negotiated lower rates with the insurance companies?
MR DE DOMENICO: That is right. I am not trying to convince you. I am telling you the facts. You might not want to believe the facts, because you do not like what they say to you; but what they say to you, Mr Lamont - - -
Mr Lamont: Didn't you work for the Insurance Council?
MR DE DOMENICO: Did you work for the Transport Workers Union?
Mr Cornwell: He still does.
MR DE DOMENICO: He still does, probably. Where I worked, Madam Speaker, does not belie the facts. The reason why workers compensation premiums came down was that - - -
Mr Lamont: Do you still work for them, by the way?
MR DE DOMENICO: Madam Speaker, the Liberal Government negotiated the 20 per cent reduction in premiums. The insurance industry and all the private sector are not the only ones that are concerned. Let me also quote from a letter from the Canberra Visitor and Convention Bureau. It says:
... the industry supports the Government in worker safety and health, and applauds all efforts to logically improve those conditions. As most small businesses in the industry have owner/managers working alongside employees in a team situation
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