Page 2101 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 8 May 2012
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the basic entitlement to long service leave for all security industry workers, even where this is accrued by service to multiple employers. It recognises loyalty to the sector rather than just one employer, thus enhancing mobility and facilitating the creation of a sustainable career path. It sets out long service leave entitlements for eligible employees at a fixed rate of leave for employment in the sector, so that workers are clear about what they are entitled to.
As members are aware, the scheme will be administered by the Long Service Leave Authority and associated board, which consists of representatives of employer groups, employee associations and members independent of either. Thus far, the Long Service Leave Authority has successfully run the scheme for the construction and building industry, the cleaning industry and the community sector industry. This growth in workers registered under the scheme reflects the effectiveness of the operation of the authority and the portable long service leave schemes. As an independent ACT statutory authority, the Long Service Leave Authority is self-funded and does not rely on the ACT budget for support.
I have decided that the act will commence on 1 January 2013. I have asked the Office of Industrial Relations to continue to work with all interested parties until the bill comes into effect, to ensure that, where possible, their concerns are addressed. This will include assisting security contractors in seeking any necessary contract price variations to accommodate any impact of the levy under the scheme. I have asked ACT government agencies to look favourably on any contract variations in this regard. This government will also be writing to the commonwealth government to ask that favourable consideration to price variations be given in relation to commonwealth security contracts in the territory.
I note that since the bill was introduced the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety has commented on both the bill and its explanatory statement. I thank the committee for its consideration and have responded to these comments, none of which require change to the bill or its statement.
With regard to the level of consultation that has been applied to this, consultation on the proposed scheme for the security industry began mid last year with discussions between the Office of Industrial Relations and United Voice on behalf of industry workers. Over several months, peak employer bodies were then contacted to inform an exposure draft bill and discussion paper. This was conducted through the Australian Security Industry Association and Security Providers Association of Australia.
In December 2011 an exposure draft of the bill and a complementary discussion paper were released for public comment. Responses were invited in writing, in person, by email and over the phone. This was advertised through the community noticeboard, Office of Regulatory Services bulletin and personal correspondence to the Australian Security Industry Association, the Security Providers Association of Australia, United Voice, Chubb Security Services Ltd, the ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Orion Pax Pty Ltd, SilverFern Security Pty Ltd, Sydney Night Patrol and Inquiry Co Pty Ltd, Tadros Security, and Up 2 Security Pty Ltd. Written submissions
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