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

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 10 Hansard (23 September) . . Page.. 3570 ..

MR CORBELL (continuing):

suffer from work force shortages in a range of specialties. However, this legislation is not the place to outline the strategy for addressing that situation.

The government is addressing work force shortages in a range of ways. One of those will be through the negotiation process in relation to training, recognition of training and recognition of research undertaken by VMOs within their specialties. That is a process for the government's offer and the government's negotiation. It is not something the government would flag through this legislation. That is a relatively self-evident approach.

In conclusion, this process allows for a clear framework of negotiation-one that does not give VMOs the opportunity to take protected industrial action and one that does not put them in an industrial arrangement. I think it is important to stress that it does not establish an industrial framework for bargaining, because they are not employees-they are contractors. It is a commercial arrangement between the territory and the individual VMO. We are seeking to create a consistent framework in which to undertake those negotiations.

I thank members for their support in principle. I would encourage those members who have not yet taken the opportunity of a briefing on the government's amendments to do so, so they are fully informed on the approach the government is proposing.

Equally, if other members have amendments, I would encourage members to make those available as soon as possible-Mr Smyth flagged that he has amendments-in the interests of an informed and effective debate. I would welcome those amendments as soon as they are available. I commend the bill to the Assembly.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Detail stage

Debate (on motion by Mr Hargreaves ) adjourned to the next sitting.

Adjournment

Mr John Alan McCrory

MR STEFANIAK (6.33): I rise today to bring to the attention of the house the death of John Alan McCrory-one of the inaugural Crown Prosecutors of the ACT. John McCrory-affectionately known as the colonel-was a great character in the Canberra courts. He was born on 16 May 1919 in Scotland, and died on 18 September this year.

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