Page 4543 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 6 December 1994
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Mr De Domenico: This is long service leave, not training.
Mrs Carnell: Go on; keep sitting down.
Mr Humphries: He is the opposite to a jack-in-the-box.
Ms Follett: If there are no further questions - - -
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! Are there no further questions?
Ms Follett: I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Mrs Carnell: He has not even finished his answer.
Mr Humphries: Come on! He is in the middle of answering a question - or trying to.
MADAM SPEAKER: Are we going to have order or are we not? Mr Stefaniak, be seated. Mr Lamont, proceed.
MR LAMONT: Madam Speaker, I am quite prepared to answer in depth and with the maximum of information, when allowed to do so. In fact, the Opposition prevented the possible use of surplus funds that had been identified in the long service leave account. Recognising that the surplus amounts of money which had been received in the building and construction industry long service leave account since that time were growing, I have commenced negotiations with the industry parties to establish the most appropriate methodology for the dispersal of those funds. Obviously, there is a range of possibilities open to us. I intend to consult with the industry parties about that matter and to advise the Assembly formally of decisions that are subsequently taken. I would certainly hope to involve this Assembly in those discussions. I would hope that all of that can be finalised, certainly by the time that the Assembly next sits. That work will occur, and continue to occur, throughout the pre-election period and during the election process. One of the options that are available, Mr De Domenico, as was indicated at the time that this matter was last debated in this house, is a reduction to one per cent.
MR DE DOMENICO: I have a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. The Minister, during his attempt to answer the question, said that the Opposition prevented funds being used for training. Madam Speaker, you will find that that is not correct. The Minister might read that and find out. I ask the Minister, by way of a supplementary question: Noting that the Long Service Leave Board recommended the reduction to a maximum of one per cent, will the Minister, if he does not intend to reduce it to a maximum of one per cent, be thinking of getting rid of the board - seeing that he is not going to take on their recommendations?
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