Page 443 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 2 March 1994
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Mr Berry stood up and told us how everything was hunky-dory; that everything was going to be okay; that everyone should sit back on their comfortable couch and not worry about a thing. Let us have a look at what Mr Berry has done. These are some areas of Mr Berry's responsibility alone where we can save some money. What is Mr Berry going to say about the $3m that he is going to spend for a hospice on the Acton Peninsula? Every group in this town, all the professionals, say, "Hey, listen; it should not be there. Save yourself the $3m and put it up at Calvary". There is $3m, for a start. Private money is being used to build a private obstetrics unit at John James Hospital. Not one cent of public funds is involved; but Mr Berry will not give that the go ahead, notwithstanding the fact that there are 3,800 people on the waiting list.
What was Mr Berry's reaction, Madam Speaker, last Easter when ACTEW came forward with a proposal, which Mr Connolly signed off, to save taxpayers half a million dollars? What did Mr Berry do? He stopped it at the door of the Industrial Relations Commission because he disagreed with it. What did Mr Berry do about designated work groups when he brought the number of employees down from 20 to 10? Ms Follett, in her speech, talked about the importance of the tourism industry. In one fell swoop, according to the tourism industry and every other group of employers in the town, he did the wrong thing. This is what Mr Berry has done in only one area of his responsibility.
Let us have a look at more of what Mr Berry has done. Mr Lamont will recall this. I will be interested to see his reaction to this, by the way. Mr Lamont will recall that as far back as 1984 he and I were on a committee, working very closely, and I must admit very amicably, that made over 100 recommendations about amendments to the Workers Compensation Act. One of the most important ones, Madam Speaker, was to provide a termination clause - - -
Mr Lamont: It was 32.
MR DE DOMENICO: No; there were more than 32, mate.
Mr Lamont: There were 32 recommendations.
MR DE DOMENICO: One was for a termination clause for insurers to be able to terminate benefits. Every other State and Territory jurisdiction has a termination clause. Mr Lamont agreed to the provision of the termination clause.
Mr Lamont: Along with the other 31 recommendations.
MR DE DOMENICO: No, no. He agreed to the provision of the termination clause. He made no stipulation about linking it to occupational rehabilitation. It is now 1994 and we still do not have a termination clause.
Mr Lamont: You are dealing loosely with the truth, Mr De Domenico.
MR DE DOMENICO: I am dealing with the truth. We have most of the other 31 recommendations, Mr Lamont, but you have had the most important one on the books for 10 years and we are still waiting. Mr Berry comes in here and talks about how everything is hunky-dory, but it is just not true.
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