Page 2064 - Week 07 - Thursday, 17 June 1993
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MR BERRY: That is right. That falls into line with the comment which was reported by the Auditor-General. So action is in train.
Mr De Domenico: So it takes longer than three years to do it. All he has to do is make a decision.
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! Mr De Domenico, you were heard in silence.
MR BERRY: If you like, you could describe it as a smart pre-emptive strike for Mr De Domenico to come forward with this amendment at this point. Mr De Domenico, you know that agreement to do this simultaneously has been given by the Government to both the industry and the unions.
Mr De Domenico: Oh, no.
MR BERRY: Well, I am telling you; we have told the industry that we agree that it will be dealt with simultaneously. The industry is aware of it. In relation to the reserves of the Long Service Leave Board, one option for the Government is to deal with the distribution of those reserves back to the industry following an actuarial assessment of the situation. We are not going to just pick a figure out of the blue because it suits us. At the point where we simultaneously change the arrangements we will act on the actuarial report.
Mr De Domenico: You have had it for three years.
MR BERRY: We will achieve exactly what you claim to be setting out to achieve at a point which is acceptable to all the parties.
Mr De Domenico: Rubbish!
MR BERRY: The problem with you, Mr De Domenico, is that you seek to represent only one side of the argument.
Mr De Domenico: Who is on the Industry Training Council?
MADAM SPEAKER: Order!
MR BERRY: You ought to be able to sit there patiently and listen to what I have to say because that, indeed, was what I did; I just sat here and listened. We will proceed down the path of a simultaneous arrangement which provides for the collection of a training levy and changes the arrangements - I give you this undertaking - for the collection of the levy for the board. That is within my power in the Act and that will occur.
Not only have I given the unions that undertaking; I have given the industry that undertaking and I now give it to you. Madam Speaker, once the legislation which is now being developed is before this chamber and resolved, the simultaneous arrangements which we promised we would deliver will be delivered. Therefore, Madam Speaker, the amendment proposed by Mr De Domenico should fail because it is not necessary. It undermines significant consultation that the Government has had with the industry and the unions and it makes no difference in terms of the legislation, anyway, because it is entirely up to the Minister to set the rate.
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