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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 8 Hansard (29 October) . . Page.. 2472 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

The conduct of this matter by ACT Corrective Services remains a question before the Auditor-General, and I do not think it appropriate to add anything further than the information contained in this briefing until the Auditor-General has reported to the Assembly.

MR SPEAKER: I present, for the information of members and pursuant to subsection 8(4) of the Legislative Assembly (Broadcasting of Proceedings) Act 1997, an authorisation to broadcast given to a number of television and radio networks in relation to proceedings of the Assembly for Wednesday, 28 October 1998, concerning the motion on Downer Preschool.

MR HUMPHRIES (Acting Chief Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Community Safety and Minister Assisting the Treasurer) (3.35): Mr Speaker, I present, for the information of members, the Government's response to the Standing Committee for the Chief Minister's Portfolio Public Accounts Committee Report No. 3, entitled "Review of Auditor-General's Report No. 5, 1997 - Management of Leave Liabilities", which was presented to the Assembly on 24 June 1998. I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

The committee's report was tabled in the Assembly on 25 June 1998. The Government's response was referred to the chair of the committee at the end of September 1998. Unfortunately, some administrative delays in the development of the response meant that the Government was unable to table the response within the usual three-month timeframe. I regret any inconvenience that may have been caused to members.

The Government acknowledges the importance of the active management of leave liabilities and notes that guidelines reinforcing this principle were issued to all ACT Public Service agencies earlier this year. These guidelines will assist agencies to develop better leave management practices and reaffirm the Government's position that chief executives are responsible for the day-to-day management of agency costs and employment conditions. Agencies are being encouraged to negotiate directly with staff on further improvements to leave administration. The Government does not intend to introduce a more centralised system of leave management. It is also important to recognise that ACT leave entitlements and management provisions are similar to those of other jurisdictions and that there has been no suggestion that any ACT agency has acted outside the current legislative and industrial framework for the management of leave.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

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