Page 4090 - Week 15 - Thursday, 17 December 1992
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MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr Kaine for the question. At the outset, I was very pleased that we have been able to negotiate this position for our ACT public servants. I do not have a precise figure on the net effect of that 2 per cent pay rise, but I am aware that our budget papers included a substantial figure as a provision for pay rises. From memory, that figure was some $12m, but I could be wrong about that. I will check it, Madam Speaker.
The Industrial Relations Commission confirmed yesterday that the enterprise agreement that we had sought had been certified. In many ways it is something of a landmark because it does reflect very well, I think, on the management of the service and their cooperation with the unions. It has been a quite considerable time since there was the last general pay rise. In fact, there has been no pay increase for the vast majority of our staff, I am advised, since August 1991. Madam Speaker, as I say, I will look up for Mr Kaine the amount that that will involve in the ACT budget.
Mr Kaine has also asked how the agreement will be negotiated. It will be negotiated in the normal way. I think the immediate benefits of the productivity and the range of efficiency measures that have to be established within the ACT will be negotiated between our management and our unions within the formal consultative framework that we have already in place in the ACT Government Service.
MR KAINE: I have a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. Can the Treasurer confirm that this pay rise will be accommodated within provisions already in the budget, and that the pay rise will not affect the delivery of services in any way by taking money from elsewhere?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, yes, that is my information; the budget documents do make provision for pay rises during the year. I would not tolerate a situation where that pay rise would result in a loss of service to the ACT community. But, as I say, I will get the precise figure for Mr Kaine as soon as I can and also give him an assurance that in fact we have budgeted for that kind of a rise.
Fightback
MR LAMONT: My question is also directed to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, I refer you to a range of media releases and events by Dr Hewson in relation to his Fightback proposals. Has the ACT Government undertaken any analysis of the impact of Dr Hewson's proposals on the ACT?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, of course the Government has undertaken an analysis of Dr Hewson's proposals for the ACT. I believe that we have an obligation to undertake such analysis as Dr Hewson heads the alternative Federal Government. Quite clearly, Dr Hewson's proposals have enormous impact on the ACT - in the unlikely event that they are ever to be implemented.
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