Page 1087 - Week 04 - Thursday, 1 April 1993
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Be that as it may, we can all say that enterprise bargaining is a reality in this country, and it will continue to be. No-one should attempt to kid themselves that this is not all about demarcation disputes between two unions from different factions and two Ministers from different factions. Reality is something that escapes them if that is not what they believe. There is no doubt that two ACT Ministers are at odds over a Cabinet decision effectively to overturn an industrial agreement between the ACT Electricity and Water Authority and a major section of its employees. We are not talking about some little union with no effect on the ACTEW.
Debate interrupted.
ADJOURNMENT
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! It being 4.30 pm, I propose the question:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Ms Follett: I require the question to be put forthwith without debate.
Question resolved in the negative.
ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT
Discussion of Matter of Public Importance
Debate resumed.
MR DE DOMENICO: The Electrical, Electronic and Plumbing and Allied Workers Union represents some 30 or 40 per cent of the ACTU work force - a not insignificant number of people. The other thing that must be said, Madam Speaker, is that Mr Connolly and Mr Berry from time to time in this place have stood up and talked about what the Labor Party sees as their magnificent and sole owning of good industrial relations. From time to time they have said that in their opinion the perfect way to settle industrial disputes is for the Government, employers and employees to get together, come to an agreement, and save any hassle or any argy-bargy. That is exactly what happened in this situation. The former ETU got together with their employer, ACTEW, sat down and talked about what was going on. The Minister ratified that agreement, signed it off and did things sensibly.
We know, Mr Deputy Speaker, that Mr Connolly does do a lot of sensible things. This was not the first time. This sort of thing has happened before. I think we all recall the situation with ACTION buses. Mr Connolly once again attempted to do the right thing, to carry out micro-economic reform and all those sorts of things. He wanted to get together with the union, seeking certain cutbacks in ACTION buses. This time it was the Transport Workers Union, I think, and a Mr Santi was doing things like stacking Labor Party branches. All sorts of things were going on. We know that Mr Berry went to various Labor Party meetings. Out came the knife and in and out it went. We had the faceless men from Belconnen. All this sort of thing is happening within the internal machinations of the ACT Labor Party. For anyone to stand up in here as the Chief Minister did and deny that this is all about two particular demarcation disputes is sheer and utter nonsense.
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