Page 2724 - Week 09 - Thursday, 8 August 2013
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Mr Smyth interjecting—
DR BOURKE: This man is mocking me. On a point of order, Madam Speaker, if I am going to stand up and ask questions and be mocked by the opposition while I am doing it, that seems unparliamentary to me.
MADAM SPEAKER: I have no idea—
Mr Smyth: May I address the point of order, Madam Speaker? Mr Barr was making gestures and jokes across the chamber which, yes, you are right, I should not respond to. So if I am responsible for mockery then the great instigator of the mockery sits on the member’s own bench.
MADAM SPEAKER: I did not see what was going on because I was trying to hear Dr Bourke, and I find it easier to hear people if I am looking at them. So I did not hear what was going on. Dr Bourke, could you repeat the question?
DR BOURKE: Let us try again, Madam Speaker. Chief Minister, could you tell us more about the RED framework, which overlays the top of this particular employment strategy?
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you. RED was the thing that I could not hear. Chief Minister.
MS GALLAGHER: Dr Bourke alludes to the RED framework, which is the respect, equity and diversity framework, which is all about creating good workplaces to work in and ones with positive cultures. It does have a specific focus on employment strategies for people with a disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
I understand there will be more work done in relation to how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the employment strategies around that are working. It was done through extensive consultation and research to underpin it. It is not only around creating diverse workplaces but a big emphasis with RED officers in each designated workplace is around ensuring respectful workplaces. It is a bit of a shame that it is not implemented in this chamber, probably in the building either. The RED framework does not get a high priority here. But it is all about ensuring that positive workplace culture and no bullying, no harassment, and that people are treated with respect and dignity. Again, that is not something we see very often in this chamber, particularly from those opposite. Perhaps that is something the Assembly might have a view on—whether or not the RED framework needs to be employed in this chamber.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Lawder.
MS LAWDER: Chief Minister, how do you expect the employment prospects of people with a disability to improve in the private sector when your own public service cannot lead by example?
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