Page 2104 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 8 May 2012

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DR BOURKE (Ginninderra—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Corrections) (11.48): The government opposes this amendment. Ms Bresnan’s amendment seeks to commence the act on 1 October 2012 rather than by my notification. As I have previously advised the Assembly, there remains important work to do between the Long Service Leave Authority board and the security industry employers to ensure that all the preparation necessary for a smooth and informed participation of the employers is completed.

As we have learned from the commencement of the community sector scheme, a fulsome period of post-legislative consultation leads to a corroborative implementation. There remains also for the actuary to complete their advice to the board on the final make-up of the workforce and on the final levy to be recommended to the minister.

Setting a sound evidence base for both the population of members and the levy at the beginning of the process is an indispensible step in the success of the scheme. An earlier or forced commencement date will pre-emptively jeopardise all of this important work and the building of essential relationships with employers. As such, the government will not support the amendment.

MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (11.48): The Canberra Liberals will not be supporting this amendment. We do not support the bill; so we would not support any mechanism that would bring it on any earlier than is absolutely necessary. I think it is quite amusing, really, to see Ms Bresnan sort of trying to get on the bandwagon to achieve something. It is obvious that this is a sign that the government cannot get it done.

The government have been “gunna do this” for a very long time. At the last minute they sort of pull back and say, “Actually, we cannot meet our commitment.” But what we have here is the Greens, in desperation, knowing that most of them will not be back here after the October election, attempting to get something done for themselves. They are trying to say, “We have done something,” so that perhaps the unions would be more supportive of them in their futile election campaign which is coming up.

Question put:

That Ms Bresnan’s amendment be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the negative.

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