Page 109 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 13 February 2019
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jobs package, ensures that the ACT government only contracts with businesses that uphold the highest ethical and labour standards.
As I noted in question time yesterday, since the secure local jobs code came into effect on 15 January over 200 businesses have applied to certify that they respect their workers, that they pay their workers fairly and that they meet the highest ethical and labour standards. These are businesses that will meet the standard not only on ACT government sites, or just in the ACT, but across their entire operation. These are businesses I welcome working in my electorate of Kurrajong, building infrastructure and providing services to government to keep up with the growth of our city.
The government will now be looking at implementation of the secure local jobs package in relation to procurements primarily for labour valued at over $200,000 or more, widening the scope of businesses that can proudly sign up to show that they respect their workers’ rights.
I am proud to be part of a government that does what it can to ensure that these workers are treated fairly but also a government that acknowledges the important work of both the public and private sectors, emergency services, retail and hospitality workers, tradies, bus drivers and others who worked over the holiday period and the exceptionally hot summer.
It is also worth noting that our emergency services were not only providing critical services to Canberrans during extreme heatwave conditions but also provided support beyond the border in response to storm damage events experienced in New South Wales, further demonstrating their commitment to their family, community, friends, and neighbours.
I think everyone in this place can appreciate the importance of acknowledging those who work to ensure our community can operate through the heat and holiday period that we are safe and healthy, fed and watered, but also we can appreciate the sacrifice they make in order to do so. I reiterate Ms Cody’s words in respect of the public servants who work throughout the year, rain hail or shine, including over Christmas, new year, and Easter.
In my capacity as Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety I have had the opportunity to meet many workers across the ACT, from retail workers who show great resilience over the Christmas period in the lead-up to Christmas and new year when they are too often subject to abuse from stressed out customers, to airport workers who operate as a team in a 365-day-a-year operation. I thank these workers in addition to the staff of Worksafe ACT who were available to attend any workplace incidents that may have occurred over the shutdown period.
As Minister for Children, Youth, and Families I reiterate my valedictory speech at the end of last year and again thank the frontline workers in child and youth protection services who undertake challenging, rewarding and important work supporting our most vulnerable children and young people and their families. Like nurses, firies, and ambos, they work 365 days a year, 24 hours a day on behalf of the Canberra community, and we thank them.
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