Page 1926 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 14 June 1994
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I have no difficulty with that personally, but it is quite clear from this Government's position that we want to go further. We want to create a right that currently is not enjoyed by approximately 14,000 of our employees. That is a right to transfer, on merit, to the Commonwealth service. We want to maintain that right forever for the other 9,000 of our employees who currently have that right. Not only do we wish to maintain the mobility that currently exists; we want to improve it.
Mr Kaine: You should watch it, Michael. They are actually reforming things at the same time.
MR LAMONT: Mr Kaine, I appreciate that you may understand what that means. I am not sure that some of your colleagues do, but I am prepared to stay on my feet until even they understand it.
Mr Kaine: I just want Mr Moore to understand what that means.
MR LAMONT: Mr Moore understands what it means. Obviously, from his dissertation tonight, he understands far more comprehensively what this Bill actually means than does anybody on the other side of the house - certainly as demonstrated by anything that they have said so far.
Mr Moore: Flattery gets you everywhere.
MR LAMONT: No, this is not one of those occasions to flatter you, Mr Moore. What we are about is securing the existing entitlements of ACT government employees and enhancing them. I believe that that is a proper position for us, as a responsible employer, to take.
It also means that in the ACT people in the ACT public service will be able to apply for jobs in the Commonwealth and Commonwealth people will be able to apply for jobs in the ACT public service and be considered on merit. Such a cross-fertilisation in a city such as ours is essential. It is essential to ensure that we keep abreast of change. In fact, the Commonwealth can draw upon the great body of expertise that exists in service delivery here within the ACT Government Service. Above all, it is essential that we be able to provide to all of our employees, irrespective of where they are employed, the opportunity for career advancement and promotion and for professional development. That is the essential position that, I believe, underpins the Government's commitment to the trade unions and to the employing agencies within the body of this legislation.
It is interesting to note that over the last few days bans have been imposed by a professional organisation with members in ACTEW. I suppose that at the end of the day it has to be accepted that we have addressed one by one the conditional issues that that organisation has raised. However, it has been quite clearly said that there are some philosophical issues that they yet wish to have addressed. They raised a number of those before the Public Service Select Committee. They have raised some of those in direct correspondence to me and to the Chief Minister.
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