Page 1347 - Week 04 - Thursday, 30 March 2017
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Mrs Dunne: Could I seek your guidance in relation to the framing of questions—that they should not be seeking announcements of executive policy—under standing order 117(c)(ii)?
MADAM SPEAKER: Just for a point of clarity, Ms Orr, would you repeat your supplementary?
MS ORR: What other changes to public holidays is this government considering?
MADAM SPEAKER: I think it is just about what changes have been put in place. Minister, can you continue with your answer?
Mr Barr: On the point of order, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Chief Minister.
Mr Barr: The question asks the minister what the government is considering, not announcing, not seeking an announcement of government policy, but what options the government is considering. Given that those opposite regularly ask questions to that effect, if you were to rule that that was an announcement of government policy then it would rule out most questions the opposition ask in this place.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you, Chief Minister.
Mrs Dunne: On the point of order, I was actually seeking your guidance. I take the Chief Minister’s point that the question was about what they are considering rather than what they are going to do. However, the question was prospective and was not about the status quo. I would actually agree with the Chief Minister’s point on the point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you, Mrs Dunne. Minister, if you would continue talking about what you have done and what you are considering.
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Of course, the government has been consulting with the ACT community for some time on the establishment of a new Reconciliation Day public holiday. On 11 August last year, the Assembly passed a resolution calling on the government to establish a new Reconciliation Day public holiday to commence in 2018. That work is progressing.
MR STEEL: Minister, what action has the ACT government taken to stand up for Canberrans whose public holiday penalty rates are about to be cut?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mr Steel for his supplementary question. On 23 February the Fair Work Commission handed down its decision to reduce certain Sunday, public holiday, evening or after midnight penalty rates in some awards for the hospitality, restaurant, fast food and retail industries. The ACT government’s submission to the commission’s review opposed any reduction in penalty rates because:
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