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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 11 Hansard (14 December) . . Page.. 3010 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

Both academic and general staff will continue under the current industrial awards. Long service and maternity leave are provided for under industrial awards. The Commonwealth Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act will continue to apply after transfer. The university will be subject to the ACT Occupational Health and Safety Act. Commonwealth affirmative action provisions for women will apply. The university will be subject to the ACT Discrimination Act. All employee liabilities will continue to be fully funded by the university. The Territory will incur no liability for superannuation costs or long service leave liabilities. The ACT has received assurances that unions have been consulted about the transfer. Unions have agreed to the proposed terms and conditions of employment for staff.

The Bill has been developed over a period of three years. During this time, all substantive transfer issues have been clarified with senior executives of the Government and the university. The transfer of the University of Canberra is a watershed for the Territory. Like other States, the ACT will now have its own university. The transfer is testimony to our growth as a regional centre for excellence in education. The university's undergraduate and graduate programs continue to expand. Its research and international education services are of great importance to the continued economic and cultural life of the city. It is with great pleasure that I commend the Bill to the Legislative Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Ms McRae) adjourned.

MS FOLLETT (Leader of the Opposition) (10.46): Mr Speaker, I seek leave to remove the word "Services" from the motion standing in my name on the notice paper. The agreement is correctly described as the "Disability Agreement".

Leave granted.

MS FOLLETT: I move:

That the Assembly appoint a Select Committee to inquire into and report on the operation of the Commonwealth-Territory Disability Agreement, with particular reference to:

(1) gaps which have emerged in service delivery;

(2) any overlap or duplication of functions by the Commonwealth and the ACT;

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