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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 13 Hansard (20 November) . . Page.. 3798 ..

MS GALLAGHER (continuing):

We cannot be an island in a sea of reform. If we do not proceed with these reform measures, we could become a potential haven for exploitative practices. We do not want this territory to be a magnet for manufacturers and subcontractors eager to establish their operations here.

Let us turn to the reforms which I am seeking to introduce if this motion is passed today. Let me also clarify that these reforms are not about foreign-made products. This motion concerns only goods made using Australian labour in Australia. The object of this motion is to ensure that clothing outworkers receive all their lawful entitlements and consumers are provided with ethical purchasing options.

The ACT, with these new measures, would not be a haven for exploitative and unscrupulous manufacturers and subcontractors. We would be implementing these reforms, confident of their success and acceptance in other jurisdictions, especially New South Wales, the state which surrounds the ACT.

If this motion is supported, the ACT government would set the benchmark for the territory by ensuring that all ACT government textile, clothing and footwear contracts are made FairWear. As a major purchaser of these products, the government would exercise its ability to use tender and contract to protect people's entitlements at the bottom of the textile, clothing and footwear manufacturing pyramid.

Just as the government has a role, so do businesses. Under these reforms I propose, retailers would be able to opt to sign on to the Australian Retailers Association code of conduct or adhere to a mandatory code. It is worth noting that this obligation will mirror many of the obligations contained in the federal and many state-based awards. The key to this reform is the provision of information. A code of conduct would ensure that retailers open up their contractual chains to scrutiny by the public, thus allowing consumers to exercise the choice to purchase clothing made in a sweatshop or clothing made with fair pay and fair conditions.

I will not purchase clothing made by children or made for under $1 an hour, nor will thousands of consumers in the ACT. Consumers have the real power over the products they purchase, and I have confidence that many shoppers would choose an ethical product over a product made under conditions of exploitation.

By involving stakeholders in a fair trading code administration committee, we ensure that these measures work, through cooperation, discussion and consensus. The committee would report directly to government, ensuring that this issue is taken seriously.

This motion also calls for amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations to ensure that we are consistent with other jurisdictions. Whilst the detail of this needs to be worked through, the amendments would relate primarily to the nature of the employee/employer relationship. If contractors set up factories or home work here, they should be expected to conform to all the health and safety standards afforded to other factory or other manufacturing workers.

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