Page 3442 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 25 November 1992
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MR BERRY: The first thing is that I do not debate industrial relations questions on the basis of a television report. Anybody who knows anything about industrial relations would know that that is a short road to disaster and confrontation, and we are not about to get involved in that process. The issue of productivity and workplace bargaining is one which is very much on the agenda. The sorts of efficiencies that can be achieved in a consultative environment, I think, are fairly evident to everybody who has any knowledge of industrial relations.
If you can work closely with the people you employ, it is often easier to reach an amicable arrangement on industrial issues than it is if you take the approach which has been taken by the Liberals - for example, by Mr Kennett in Victoria. That approach would lead to the sort of chaos that is happening now around Melbourne. It is not the approach that I am prepared to take. It seems to me that that is the sort of approach which is promoted by the Liberals opposite, in particular by Mr De Domenico. We will not do that. We will not take the approach that is taken by Mr Kennett. We will not take the approach that has been proposed by Mr Howard and supported by Mr De Domenico.
Mr De Domenico: What is the answer to the question?
MR BERRY: The answer to the question is that I will not debate an industrial issue on the basis of a television report. That is the answer to the question, and it is the correct answer. What I will do, in all cases where I am concerned, is negotiate and promote negotiation with the parties in a consultative environment where people work towards a common end. If you want us to do anything else, you are barking up the wrong tree.
MR DE DOMENICO: I have a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. What measures does the Minister for Industrial Relations have in place in order to achieve higher productivity in the public sector?
MR BERRY: You see, you do not understand. Again, here you go - - -
Mr De Domenico: Well, tell me.
MR BERRY: The first thing you have to do if you want to negotiate increased productivity and efficiency in the workplace is to go to the workers and try to work out a formula around which you can find productivity and efficiency gains. I am not going to dictate to every worker in the public sector what those areas of productivity and efficiency gains might be, because that would not work. Anybody who has any sense on these issues knows that it would not work. You have to go out there and do the hard graft. You have to get out there and talk with the workers. It is very clear to workers that things have to be more efficient. The people who work in the public sector know that and they are keen to cooperate with sensible governments.
Mr De Domenico: What measures have you in train?
MR BERRY: As I have said to you, I am not going to dictate to workers in the workplace - I will say it again - what the productivity measures - - -
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