Page 4096 - Week 15 - Thursday, 17 December 1992
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MR BERRY: If there is a question about the process, I will have that further examined and report back to the Assembly. This issue started about whether it is normal. It is not normal, but - - -
Mr Kaine: You are answering a supplementary question, Minister, remember.
MR BERRY: The supplementary question is probably out of order, but I am prepared to answer it. I think the outcome justifies the cost. The $15,000 for extra assistance to be brought in for special circumstances can be justified, in my view, bearing in mind the outcome. Without any criticism at all of the Industrial Relations Branch, it is not always open to them to provide the time that is required for these particular exercises. I do not know whether any of you have ever been involved in these sorts of processes, but they are of a specialist nature. It is about encouraging a new culture, if you like, in the way that unions and management and workers live with each other in the development and evolution of work practice in particular places. Time will test it, of course; but, in my view, it was a justifiable exercise and - - -
Mrs Carnell: This was September last year. It is 12 months ago.
MR BERRY: You do not do these things for 12 months.
Mr Humphries: You do not do these things overnight; that is right.
MR BERRY: No, you do not - - -
Mr Cornwell: About as speedy as your legislative program, yes.
MR BERRY: You saw us moving on legislation with the speed of a startled gazelle this morning. You do not do these things for 12 months' worth. This is about getting long-term outcomes and a change in culture which in some cases is necessary because of the development stages of particular operations. I think it was justified and there is a worthwhile outcome. In future, where there is a specialist need for special industrial relations people to be involved, I expect that the same thing will happen again.
Grass Cutting
MS ELLIS: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning. I believe that it is very relevant, given the recent weather that we have had and the massive growth of grass around the town. What action in respect of grass cutting is the Government taking to reduce the threat of bushfires that we can expect this summer?
Mr De Domenico: He is going to cut it.
MS ELLIS: It is not that simple, Mr De Domenico.
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