Page 2936 - Week 09 - Thursday, 18 September 2014
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Construction industry—drug and alcohol testing
MR WALL: My question is to the minister for industrial relations. Minister, there has been considerable research and data collected over the years to suggest that drugs and alcohol are a significant problem in the workplace, and particularly in high risk industries such as the building and construction industry. Minister, is random drug and alcohol testing allowed on ACT building and construction sites?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Wall for his question. I have been involved previously with drug testing in workplaces, especially around areas such as concrete trucks in the ACT, and helping to introduce those safety measures into the workplace. I have not had any discussions with union members or builders in the ACT on testing in the workplace at this stage.
MR WALL: Minister, what did the Getting home safely report say on the issue of random drug and alcohol testing in the building and construction industry? Perhaps you would like to answer the first question again, which was: is it currently permissible on construction sites?
MR GENTLEMAN: Yes, the Getting home safely report talked about drug testing on building sites and the possibility for that to go through, but I have not done any further work and I do not have that information in front of me. I am happy to take that on notice and come back to you.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, what information does the government collect concerning the use of drugs and alcohol within the construction industry in the ACT?
MR GENTLEMAN: I do not have that information in front of me either at this time. I am aware, though, in relation to your previous question, Mr Wall, that the government did not support the testing of drug and alcohol for workplaces.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, does the government support random drug and alcohol testing on building sites to improve safety?
MR GENTLEMAN: I thank Mr Smyth for his further question. I have not had any discussions with my colleagues about support for drug testing in the workplace. That will come forward as we work further through the Getting home safely report.
Transport—planning
DR BOURKE: My question is to the Minister for Planning, the minister responsible for active travel. Minister, can you please update the Assembly on the transport for Canberra plan and how progress is being reported?
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