Page 3525 - Week 13 - Thursday, 26 November 1992
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both full time and part time is, of course, much greater. The contribution of the racing industry to the ACT in 1991 was estimated at about $18m. Mostly, that was in the form of race gambling. The report estimated that the racing industry paid $7m in racing taxes and charges to the ACT in 1991. The future of our local racing industry will be under threat, of course, should the dreaded goods and services tax be introduced, and a major - - -
Mr Humphries: There is no tax on gambling. There is no GST on gambling.
MR BERRY: The racing industry will be affected. What about stallions' fees, veterinary services, float charges, and even entering our three racetracks? There is still uncertainty about the GST package and what it might do to the community. The racing industry, Madam Speaker, makes a major contribution to the ACT economy, and it has been identified as making a major contribution to the Australian economy as well. I am saying to members of this Assembly that it deserves the full support of the Assembly as it develops and as it contributes to the ACT economy.
Preference to Union Members
MR DE DOMENICO: I hope that Mr Berry takes as much time to answer this question as he did that one. My question is addressed to the Deputy Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister for Industrial Relations. I refer the Deputy Chief Minister to an answer he gave to a question I asked on Tuesday when I was talking about the Labor Party's policy on preference provisions in ACT awards. In answer to my supplementary question on that, Madam Speaker, Mr Berry said:
It is pretty clear that the promotion system within the ACT public service is a merit system. It is a silly suggestion.
I refer Mr Berry now to another question I asked at the Estimates Committee about details of all industrial awards which incorporate a preference clause for employment of union members and preference clauses in awards applicable to ACT Government employment. His answer was, "There are, in fact, four such awards". One was the Australian Public Service Redeployment and Retirement (Redundancy) Award 1987. One was the Jobskills Program (ACT Government) Award 1992, and that one says, "Preference of employment and preference in retention of employment to union members". Another was the Hospital Employees (Administrative Staff - ACT) Award 1966, which is now inoperative. Last, but not least - and wait for this one - the Fire Brigade Employees (ACT) Award 1975 says, "Preference of employment for union members". Keeping in mind the answer that the Minister gave me on Tuesday, firstly, would the Minister now agree that his answer was incorrect and that there are at least four awards with preference provisions; secondly, if that is the case, will the Minister now realise that he inadvertently or otherwise misled the Assembly?
MR BERRY: No, I did not. I do not have your question in front of me, but I think it related to promotion within the Government Service in the Territory. Do you agree?
Mr De Domenico: You are answering the question. Would you like me to answer it for you?
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