Page 3164 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 18 August 2009
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The ACT Government’s priority is to progress the successful amalgamation of the boards and functions of the building and construction industry and contract cleaning industry portable long service leave authorities from 1 January 2010, with the integration of the community sector industry scheme to follow shortly thereafter.
By experience, the ACT Government is well aware that the progression of a new industry into a portable long service leave scheme is an exhaustive process, involving consultation with employers and employees, determinations of scope and coverage, budgetary considerations and extensive legislative and administrative requirements.
That said, I am generally supportive of the petition and, along with members of my staff, continue to consult with industry representatives and the relevant unions to best facilitate the possible future establishment of a portable long service leave scheme for the ACT security industry.
Personal explanation
MS PORTER (Ginninderra): I seek leave to make a personal explanation pursuant to standing order 46.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Thank you. On 30 July 2009, Mrs Dunne circulated a press release that was titled “Porter the Rorter”. In the Macquarie Dictionary, a “rorter” is a colloquial term used to describe “an incident or series of incidents involving reprehensible or suspect behaviour, especially by officials or politicians”. According to the dictionary, “rorting” can also be understood to be “gaining control over an organisation by falsifying records”.
One would expect the contents of the media release to contain some justification for such a claim, supposing that the person who penned this press release had not simply decided to indulge in elementary verse, sacrificing the truth and risking libellous action by trying to be just too clever. Mrs Dunne then went on to say in her media release that was published that all the necessary information could be found on my webpage.
In my letter that was delivered to households in Hawker, I clearly asked those who wanted to know more about the consultation process to ring me on my number, or contact me through my website. Residents obviously welcomed this invitation, as I now have a mailing list of Hawker residents who appreciated my offer to keep them abreast of developments.
Some mention was also made of “letters to residents about speeches she didn’t give”. I am not in the habit of repeating what other people have said in this place just so that I can hear the sound of my own voice. However, there was an error in the address that I provided for my website in a media release. It was an unfortunate error, but one that could not be understood by any reasonable person to be “reprehensible or suspect behaviour” that would constitute “rorting”. It also needs to be noted that the correct web address was used in the letters that were delivered to the households.
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