Page 5411 - Week 14 - Thursday, 30 November 2017
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MS STEPHEN-SMITH: Madam Speaker, I will take the question as the Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations.
Mr Wall: Just to clarify, it was actually a question to the Minister for Transport and City Services, as the minister responsible for the project.
MADAM SPEAKER: You ask the question; the executive can decide who is the best fit to answer the question. Ministers, can you make your minds up and provide an answer?
MS FITZHARRIS: Mr Wall asked two questions. One would come to me; I think one would come to the minister for workplace safety. If you would like to ask one question, we will then determine which one we answer.
MR WALL: Allow me to restructure the question, please, Madam Speaker. Minister, when were you informed of the breaches, and what steps have you taken to ensure work safety law is followed on that site?
MS FITZHARRIS: I was informed on Friday the 24th, I believe it was—last Friday—of the incident. I have made sure, as Transport Canberra and City Services do every day, to prioritise with Canberra Metro, the contractor for light rail, that they are ensuring that safety is the highest priority. I can inform the Assembly that the territory meets regularly with Canberra Metro to review safety performance and, importantly, the culture of safety on the project, which is very high. Canberra Metro is regularly audited on its safety processes and procedures, both internally and externally.
MR WALL: Minister, have you personally spoken to the consortium or subcontractors on the light rail construction project about these safety breaches?
MS FITZHARRIS: No.
MR COE: Minister, why have you failed to provide a safe workplace on the highest profile and most expensive project since self-government, and were not the EBA and strong union presence meant to avoid these sorts of problems?
MS FITZHARRIS: On a point of clarification, Madam Speaker, in two of the opposition’s questions they have asked at least two or three questions within each question. I seek your ruling on whether that is in order.
MADAM SPEAKER: I will allow the question, but it goes to some other commentary we have had about supplementary questions. I have foreshadowed that in the review of standing orders this will be a matter to be considered.
MS FITZHARRIS: To answer the first part of the question: I have not.
Municipal services—fix my street
MR MILLIGAN: My question is to the Minister for Regulatory Services. Minister, a number of constituents have contacted the opposition this year after jobs logged on
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