Page 2383 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 28 June 2005

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Anyway, let me say thank you to all those who have supported this budget to date.

Question put:

That the proposed expenditure be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

Proposed expenditure agreed to.

Proposed expenditure—Part 1.5—ACT WorkCover, $6,868,000 (net cost of outputs) and $536,000 (capital injection), totalling $7,404,000.

MR MULCAHY (Molonglo) (4.53): There are no major issues on this particular line item. It is, as members would be aware, a relatively small element within the budget framework. The issue was raised during the course of the estimates hearings as to whether inspectors were pursuing matters of minor regulation or matters related to workplace safety, and we received the assurance of WorkCover that, in fact, the matters being pursued were of a more significant nature where infringements had been issued. There was certainly nothing advanced in the course of that estimates hearing that would give us cause to presently have any doubts on the management of the budget for this agency.

There is little more to observe. It was reported that there would be savings of five per cent achieved through the conclusion of a number of projects. I believe the matters that were brought before estimates—and I reviewed the transcript last night again—appeared to satisfy all concerns that were raised.

DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (4.55): I do not have too many problems either but I would like to take this opportunity to say that I would like to see an undertaking from ACT WorkCover that in the next year or two we will see better support for the community sector to promote work safety. While there has been substantial investment in the development of work safety practices and resources in the small business sector, the community sector has at this point largely missed out on practical assistance.

I would like an undertaking that the review of the workers compensation scheme will include attention to the recommendations of the pilot project undertaken by ACTCOSS in 2002 on work safety and insurance in the community sector and the work being

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