Page 764 - Week 02 - Thursday, 23 February 2012
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Again, I point out these differences not in extenuation of the public sector figures—one assault is one too many; one incident of bullying is too many—but to stress that apples should properly be compared with other apples.
In this instance, sensible comparisons are not easily made—not without discounting the 97 per cent of public sector incidents that did not meet the legal reporting threshold. Even then, it would be difficult to adjust for the inherently more risky nature of some forms of public sector work.
The government does not resile from the reporting threshold it demands of its agencies. We want to know about every incident that occurs, because that helps us make necessary cultural changes and put in place necessary safeguards. We do not just have legal obligations. We choose to commit ourselves to the creation of safe workplaces for our staff and positive working cultures within those safe places. If that creates an opening for some to make mischief, we can only trust that Canberrans can draw their own conclusions.
While we are proud of our own standards, we are not really in a position, as a government or as a legislature, to demand that private sector businesses keep equally detailed records and that they report publicly on every instance of an employee being sworn at or intimidated by an irate member of the public or every instance of a worker making a complaint to the boss about a colleague.
With those caveats, I table, for the interest of members, the report. I move:
That the paper be noted.
Debate (on motion by Mr Seselja) adjourned to the next sitting.
Papers
Mr Corbell presented the following papers:
Subordinate legislation (including explanatory statements unless otherwise stated)
Legislation Act, pursuant to section 64—
Electricity Feed-in (Renewable Energy Premium) Act—Electricity Feed-in (Renewable Energy Premium) Total Capacity Determination 2012 (No 1)—Disallowable Instrument DI2012-15 (LR, 13 February 2012).
Food Act—Food (Fees) Determination 2012 (No 1)—Disallowable Instrument DI2012-14 (LR, 13 February 2012).
Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act—Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Amendment Regulation 2012 (No 1)—Subordinate Law SL2012-5 (LR, 9 February 2012).
Radiation Protection Act—Radiation Protection (Fees) Determination 2012 (No 1)—Disallowable Instrument DI2012-12 (LR, 6 February 2012).
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