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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 10 Hansard (6 December) . . Page.. 2724 ..
MR DE DOMENICO (continuing):
The outcome of negotiations over the next few weeks on agency specific reforms will be important in the settlement of new arrangements. It will be particularly important in trying to reach agreement on the overall wage increases that can be sustained. I wish to emphasise again that the Government's approach does not limit the overall wage increases that might be negotiated on an agency level. The Government's proposal is offered in good faith and is advantageous to employees. If the unions choose to reject what the Government is offering on this score, then the alternative approach is that the first pay instalment should apply at some time after the new agreement is certified by the Industrial Relations Commission.
So far, the Government has put the reform agenda and some actual pay on the table; and the unions are still talking about industrial action. Unfortunately, the unions seem intent on pursuing what can only be described as a political campaign, inspired by the fact that the ACT ALP is not up to the job. The unions have already wiped out the umpire; and, unfortunately for their members, they seem unwilling to accept this offer for what it is.
Ms Follett: Mr Speaker, on a point of order: I have just read the proof Hansard from yesterday, and I can tell you that what Mr De Domenico is saying is word for word what he said yesterday. I am afraid that he is - - -
MR DE DOMENICO: No, it is not.
Ms Follett: It is. He is offending under the tedious and repetitious rules.
MR SPEAKER: I trust that you are not being repetitious, Mr De Domenico.
MR DE DOMENICO: No; not at all, Mr Speaker. As difficult as it is for Ms Follett to understand the realities of political life, the fact that Ms Follett has not been able to lead this Labor Party the way that it should be led means that the unions are now taking matters into their own hands. The offer is up front and, I repeat, is part of the overall negotiated increase. As I said before, the Government and agencies have been ready for quite some time now and are very keen to pursue detailed negotiations on the agency reform agendas. We hope to finalise the framework arrangement before Christmas. The unions will only be hurting their members if they continue on this politically-driven warpath.
MS HORODNY: My question is directed to the Minister for Urban Services, Mr De Domenico. Is it still true, as became clear during the Estimates Committee hearings, that the working group on truck parking has been able to reach agreement on everything except two issues; namely, restrictions on hours of operation and the size of trucks which may be parked off-street in residential areas?
MR DE DOMENICO: The information that I have in answer to that question, Ms Horodny, is yes and yes.
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