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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (24 June) . . Page.. 1969 ..

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Speaker, I am answering it now. They have applied to have it ratified in the Industrial Relations Commission under the Workplace Relations Act 1996. I understand that it has yet to be ratified. I understand that the commissioner has deferred the matter and has asked Leisure Australia to provide more information. In particular, I understand that the commissioner has asked them to examine five awards to determine, firstly, whether they are applicable, and then to apply the "no disadvantage" test to their agreement with employees. I understand that they are currently undertaking that particular work. In terms of this enterprise bargaining agreement, I congratulate them on that initiative. Mr Berry, I understand too - - -

Mr Berry: Rip off the workers.

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Berry, will you shut up. If you listen, you might learn something. I understand that the pay and conditions are an improvement over award conditions operating in similar facilities in New South Wales, which is a Labor-run State, Mr Berry. It would be very handy, Mr Berry, if you would let these people just get on with the job. I will tell you a couple of other things, Mr Berry. Do you realise that approximately 230,000 people have entered the Tuggeranong pool since the changeover. That is a little bit up on last time. So, people are voting with their feet. They are going in there. Mr Berry, at the Civic Olympic Pool there has been a 13 per cent increase over 1995-96 since there has been a change of management. So, Mr Berry, it cannot be all bad.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, it seems that the Minister is not concerned - well, I should put it this way so that one does not get - - -

MR SPEAKER: No; you are just asking a supplementary question. That is what you are doing.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, is it Liberal policy to worry more about the number of people who come into swimming pools than about the wages and working conditions of the people who look after them?

MR SPEAKER: I am afraid that that is out of order.

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Berry, I have already told you that the pay and conditions are better than they are in New South Wales, a Labor State. We worry about a lot of things, Mr Berry. We want to see people paid properly and adequately, we want to see our facilities used and we want to see people enjoying themselves.

Mr Kaine: Most of us worry about you, Wayne.

MR STEFANIAK: Yes, we do worry about you, Mr Berry. You are a bit of a worry. I suggest that you pop in there and have a look at the Olympic swimming pool. I am delighted to see that there is a 13 per cent increase in the number of people going through the gate and utilising programs. That indicates that people are happy. I am also delighted, Mr Berry, to see that the pay and conditions which have been put forward are better than those for similar facilities in New South Wales. That is good news for Canberra workers, too.

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