Page 2916 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 16 October 2007
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worst aspects of the legislation. Unlike the states, the ACT does not have the ability to set up its own IR system; therefore, as soon as the legislation became law, the workers of the ACT were subjected to the worst aspects. In fact, the very first day of the legislation saw a young woman in the childcare sector sacked from her job with no valid reason and with no recourse at all for the unfairness of her sacking.
One of the most important recommendations arising out of this report is the establishment of a workplace advocate. This office will be the one-stop shop for both employees and employers to seek both advice and help on all IR matters. Working through the complicated WorkChoices legislation to assist those fearful of doing the wrong thing, which, by the way, attracts severe penalties, can only assist the workforce in understanding both their rights and obligations. Potentially one of the most disadvantaged groups is young people. Most 16 to 17-year-olds have at least a part-time job, usually in the hospitality or retail sector, yet the committee was advised that very few of this group are knowledgeable about their employment contract or their entitlements. The establishment of a workplace advocate’s office will greatly assist young people to understand just how the system works and their rights and obligations in the workplace.
Another important recommendation arising out of the report is that the ACT government lobbies the federal government to ensure that comprehensive data on Australian workplace agreements is gathered by the Workplace Authority and made available. A further recommendation is that the comprehensive data covering the details of AWAs that do not meet the safety net requirements are publicly disclosed by the Workplace Authority.
I did have more to talk about this report, before Mrs Dunne was ejected by the Assembly, but, in conclusion, this report is a way forward for all workers in the ACT. We believe the recommendations will assist those in greatest need. (Time expired.)
MRS BURKE (Molonglo) (12.21): Mr Gentleman must be very embarrassed today—or maybe not, given that he has probably just received around $20,000 remuneration courtesy of the taxpayer. This select committee is the longest-established select committee in the history of the Assembly. Unfortunately, it is also the least productive. The original terms of reference were:
To examine the effect on working families in relation to health costs, effects of industrial relations changes, adjustments by the Commonwealth Grants Commission and the allocation of funds by the Commonwealth, impacts on current or potential ACT legislation by the Commonwealth and any other related matter.
Members will well know that the Assembly, against the good advice of the opposition, decided to amend the terms of reference to:
To examine the effects on working families in the ACT of changes to industrial relations legislation, with particular reference to:
The Workplace Relations Amendment (WorkChoices) Act 2005
The Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005
The Workplace Relations Amendment (Better Bargaining) Bill 2005
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