Page 1641 - Week 06 - Thursday, 20 May 1993
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
passing of the Appropriation Bill. This is expected to occur during the November sittings of the Assembly. No provision has been made for policy changes, as is the usual practice. Policy and other changes in budgetary arrangements will be addressed in the formulation of the budget for 1993-94 and will be presented to the Assembly in that context.
The Supply Bill is in line with the current administrative arrangements. However, there are some minor changes in program order from that presented in the 1992-93 program structure. In addition, the Arts program has been renamed Culture and Heritage. Within each of the programs, a distinction between recurrent and capital expenditure has been made, to limit the application of the moneys appropriated. I now present the explanatory memorandum for the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mr Kaine) adjourned.
LONG SERVICE LEAVE (BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993
MR BERRY (Minister for Health, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport) (10.37): Madam Speaker, I present the Long Service Leave (Building and Construction Industry) (Amendment) Bill 1993.
Title read by Clerk.
MR BERRY: I move:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
The Long Service Leave (Building and Construction Industry) Act established a scheme in 1981 to provide benefits to employees and contractors working in the building and construction industry. Control of the scheme is maintained by a board which includes both employer and employee representatives. The scheme is funded by a levy on wages paid by employers and income earned by participating contractors. Ten per cent of contributions collected is allocated for industry training purposes.
The Bill I now present is the result of a review of the Act based on experience in running the scheme over the past 12 years. A number of major changes are proposed. A levy on the wages of apprentices will be abolished, with effect from 1 July 1992. Contributions already paid to the board for that purpose in respect of this financial year will be refunded. Benefits will be received by those employers in the industry who are fulfilling their training responsibilities, with the greatest benefit going to those employers with a number of apprentices. This is a positive and timely move by the Government to reduce the costs to industry of employing young people and is a practical demonstration of the Follett Government's commitment to address the problem of youth unemployment - not just words, action.
Mr Kaine: You are a bit of a comedian. There is no doubt about you, Wayne.
MR BERRY: I hear the Liberal Opposition laughing. They are great ones to whinge and complain about this Government, but when this Government resorts to action they are galled and cynical about the whole process. This is an issue of action.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .