Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 14 Hansard (11 December) . . Page.. 4674 ..

Mr De Domenico: And what did the community say? They gave you 30 per cent of the vote.

MR BERRY: We promised it, and we feel - - -

Mr De Domenico: And the community said, "We are so enamoured of this proposal that we will vote you 30 per cent".

MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr De Domenico!

MR BERRY: We have a strong commitment to our promises, unlike those opposite. It might be foreign territory for Mr De Domenico to stick to his promises, but we in fact stick to our promises. He says that to concede an improvement in general conditions of employment, such as improved long service leave benefits, in the current economic circumstances will be economically damaging to the whole Territory economy. Rubbish! Mr De Domenico's contribution to the debate makes it clear that this could not happen for many years; Mr De Domenico admits that in this place.

Mr Speaker, we have a very clear situation where this amendment to the legislation will provide additional benefits to construction workers in the Australian Capital Territory. Those benefits will come from the fund which is - - -

Mr De Domenico: Existing employees. How many jobs will it create? You are Mr Jobs. How many jobs will it create?

MR SPEAKER: Continue, Mr Berry.

MR BERRY: The contribution that Mr De Domenico makes with his interjections is worthless, but the noise is annoying.

Mr De Domenico: How many jobs?

MR SPEAKER: Order!

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, it is very clear that extra benefits will flow to construction workers as a result of this Bill. It is very clear that it is impossible for any additional costs to flow to the construction industry for many years. That is in accordance with Mr De Domenico's contribution to the debate. He read from his actuarial report and made it clear that there would be no extra costs for many years. I just emphasise that. That is Mr De Domenico's contribution.

Mr De Domenico: How many jobs? Our Bill created 80 jobs. How many would yours create?

MR BERRY: That noise persists, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Order!

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .