Page 1600 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 17 May 1994
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The Liberals opposite complain incessantly about the public sector and bureaucracies. They do that because of their constituencies, because of the old top end of the town stuff, as Mr Kaine would know. The constituencies at the top end of town are the ones who take more out of the community and are therefore expected to make a little contribution by way of these sorts of levies to assist in the development of our community to ensure that there is a better quality of life amongst those people we represent - or at least the Labor Party represents. The Liberals do not even pretend to represent them.
There is a real problem in providing better skills to the work force. I note what the Federal Government has done, but the ACT and the construction industry in particular deserve a bit more energy and a bit more input.
Mr De Domenico: Than the Federal Government is prepared to give them.
MR BERRY: No; they deserve a bit more energy and a bit more input than is being provided by the Liberals opposite. They have proven over and over again that their focus is blurred because of their anti-union approach, particularly from Mr De Domenico. He just cannot make a speech in relation to these sorts of things without a peppering of anti-union sentiment. The trade union movement in the ACT is committed to better skilled workers.
Mrs Grassby: So is the Labor Party.
MR BERRY: The Labor Party, as Mrs Grassby says, is committed to better skilled workers, and more opportunities for workers in the ACT. Yes, it is true that some sections of business in the ACT are not as committed, but that does not mean that we should abandon the work force in relation to these training opportunities that will be presented by way of the proposal which is coming from the Government.
I do not intend that we should outstrip by a long shot that which is provided across the country; but it does not matter, really, if we do. If we are working to provide better opportunities for the young people who are coming out of our colleges here in the ACT, if we are providing better opportunities for them to seek employment, say, outside the ACT, if it is costing us a little bit more, it does not matter. After all, is not the lifeblood of our society the young people who the Liberals so often screech ought to be defended? They are being defended by the actions of the trade union movement and the Labor Party in government. That is something that we are very proud of and that we intend to fight long and hard for.
Madam Speaker, in consultation with all of those people, noting, of course, that some of them will disagree with us, the Labor Party is committed to making sure that as many opportunities as can be provided for young people and for people working in the industry are provided. Yes, there is a cost. There is no question about that. That cost, I think, can be afforded, particularly if it means that there is a better quality of life produced for our community.
Mrs Carnell: If we knew what it was for it might help.
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