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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 5 Hansard (5 May) . . Page.. 1399 ..

Debate interrupted.

MR SPEAKER: Order! It being 5.00 pm, I propose the question:

Mr Stefaniak: I require the question to be put forthwith without debate.

Question resolved in the negative.

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Speaker, even those opposite must recognise that it is highly inequitable to impose a levy to fund training in one industry when similar action is not taken for other industries, such as tourism and hospitality, for example, a very large industry here in the Territory.

Many industries are taking advantage of the innovations in training and introducing new training packages which promote flexibility and choice. The new training arrangements now mean that training focuses on the needs of the workplace and the individual. It is up to employers and employees to create training programs that will meet their needs. It is not the role of government to intervene in the process and dictate the type of training or the funding that particular industries allocate to training.

We have a strong belief that training in this industry, and others, is important. Despite what Mr Berry may say, the Government's opposition to a levy is not an indication that it does not support training. In fact, this Government supports training in the building and construction industry to the tune of $5m.

Mr Speaker, the Government believes that there is a need for the building and construction industry to review its training strategy. The industry is currently preparing a three-year plan to address training needs for building and construction in the ACT. It is important that the industry both maintain a competitive skills base and is able to attract and train apprentices for the industry. A well-considered training strategy is fundamentally important to doing this. But the Government believes the best way to do this is through self-regulation, not through a compulsory levy. The industry needs to develop a culture in which training is seen as an investment in the future health of the industry.

The building and construction industry is no different from any other industry in this respect. The responsibility lies squarely with the industry itself. A government imposed levy will simply not change the industry's perspective on training and indeed may be

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