Page 1564 - Week 06 - Thursday, 7 June 2007
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my opinion, there has been long enough for the government to do that work. I see it as the responsibility of ministers to look beyond the immediate concerns of the officers in some sections of their departments to link initiatives so that they are effective and purposeful across the community. Staff in my office might have managed to explore these options with the government if they had had some more time. It is conceivable that the government would not have been interested, but in this case there was not even an option for such an endeavour. The opposition and the Greens are occasionally criticised by government for being too negative. This approach to managing legislation would seem to be designed to ensure that retrospective criticism is the only role open to us.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Planning, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Minister for Industrial Relations) (12.24) in reply: I thank the opposition and the Greens for their support.
Dr Foskey: Such as it is.
MR BARR: Indeed; such as it is. The amendments that the government has put forward in this legislation have indeed been approved by the governing boards of each of the schemes. They do simplify and streamline the administrative arrangements for both schemes, making them more equitable not just for employees but also for employers in the cleaning and construction industries. I simply restate that the government is committed to working with employers and employees to protect the entitlements of workers in the ACT. Similarly, the government is committed to assisting business to minimise costs and unnecessary red tape. These amendments and this legislation are a clear demonstration of this commitment. I thank the Assembly for its support.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.
Bill agreed to.
Sitting suspended from 12.25 to 2.30 pm.
Visitors
MR SPEAKER: I welcome an adult migrant education group who are with us today in the chamber.
Questions without notice
Budget—superannuation
MR STEFANIAK: My question is directed to the Treasurer. In 2001 Labor made the following commitments in its “Labor: a charter of financial integrity” priority statement. Your predecessor, Mr Quinlan, promised to “ensure that budgets and financial reports clearly show the operating performance of the territory net of the
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