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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 13 Hansard (27 November) . . Page.. 4883 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

and associated laws. We have ongoing reviews of the Public Health Act, the Radiation Act and the Electricity Act, which is good. We must examine proposed laws.

During the last quarter advice was provided to the Chief Minister's Department about the implementation of reforms to the Workers Compensation Act, the review of occupational health and safety-it has taken the government 21/2 years to do that-and the review of numerous legislative proposals relating to the Dangerous Goods Act. Did the minister take any action during that quarter? Did the minister say or do anything? The report to which I referred, which makes reference to ministerial activities, goes on to state:

The Minister gave no directions in the period 1 July 2003 to 30 September 2003.

Earlier in debate the minister admitted that workplace incidents and deaths were increasing. I have with me a report that damns the minister as she gave no direction to departmental officers to stop those incidents or to stamp them out. She did not tell departmental officers that they should utilise their resources to stop deaths in the workplace through providing education or whatever else was required. We have not had anything of that sort from this minister.

A broader issue is involved in the relationship between this government and business. Other states and territories have said that they would enact similar legislation. It is important to remember that the Bracks government in Victoria, which controls not only the lower house but also the upper house, has decided that this legislation is unnecessary. The Carr government in New South Wales has decided that this legislation is unnecessary. The Queensland government will not be proceeding with its proposed legislation. Tony Blair does not believe that we should enact legislation such as this. All those things should have an impact on our decision.

What is the cumulative impact of this government's legislation on businesses in this state? We have proposed industrial manslaughter legislation and portability of long service leave provisions. Unions have been given the right to enter premises. and payroll tax thresholds have not been increased. The government's attempt to impose an additional tax burden fell over and a white paper, which has been on the boil since June 2001, has delivered nothing. We must work together as a community to make these things happen.

Mr Stanhope: Why don't you like workers? Tell us about that. Why don't you like workers?

MR SMYTH: Once again the Chief Minister is clutching at straws. He asked me a rhetorical question: "Why don't you like workers?"Of course I like workers. Everybody likes workers. What a ridiculous defence! That is the Jon Stanhope defence. He does not have anything witty, funny or cunning to say, so he says, "Why don't you like workers?"

MR SPEAKER: Order! Members will come to order.

Mr Stanhope: Let's get to the nub of the issue.

MR SMYTH: Let us get to the nub of the issue.

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