Page 657 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 24 February 2010
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In closing, I would like to point out that this issue of pay and equity is most worrying. We need to get some answers around it. I am really calling on members of the Assembly today to help with that matter. We have to close this 17 per cent pay gap so we have women and men paid at the same rate for the same work they do with equal qualifications. We have to find a solution. That is what I am calling on the house to do today.
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Women) (5.31): I thank Ms Hunter for bringing this motion to the Assembly under private members’ business. I move the amendment circulated in my name:
Omit all words after “That this Assembly”, substitute:
“(1) notes:
(a) that 8 March 2010 is International Women’s Day;
(b) the need to address gender inequity in our community;
(c) that gender pay equity is essential in achieving economic independence for women and reducing inequality;
(d) that women constitute more than 80% of workers in the community services sector;
(e) that the Federal Labor Government will be an active participant in a pay equity test case for workers in the social and community services sector to be presented to Fair Work Australia by the Australian Services Union;
(f) that, as a requirement of the Labor/Greens Parliamentary Agreement to review community sector contracts, the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services engaged HBA Consulting to review industrial relations arrangements in the ACT for the community sector and that the final report on the review is expected to be submitted to Government by April 2010; and
(g) that the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services will work with HBA Consulting to identify the potential wage gap between the ACT Public Service and the community sector for ACT Government’s future consideration; and
(2) calls on the ACT Government to:
(a) assist the community sector by supporting the findings of:
(i) Fair Work Australia in the Australian Services Union’s equal remuneration case; and
(ii) the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services’ HBA Consulting review of industrial relations arrangements in the ACT for the community sector;
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