Page 2132 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 5 June 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Of course, we want people employed in industries of high social and environmental value to be adequately remunerated. We also want employers to consider a variety of ways we can support workers. The Greens believe this could include better policies that allow for lifelong learning and further education and training. We must prepare our current industries to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the future. And, yes, we believe we should support, wherever we can, the diversification of the local economy.
I am very conscious that all of us are reading articles about the changing nature of the workforce, how some industries will become obsolete over time and there will be increased automation of some industries. We need to make sure that we provide clear opportunities for people to make a just transition as those things happen but also continue to invest in important institutions like our CIT. That is why we have committed so strongly to ensuring continued government funding of the CIT here in the territory. It is disappointing to see around the country that the VET sector is not getting the same level of support from governments, but it is critically important that we continue to provide those sorts of opportunities for people.
I cannot talk on some of these issues today without repeating the Greens’ previous comments in similar recent debates about the decentralisation of some of our federal departments, which we unfortunately anticipate will continue, with the re-election of the government a couple weeks ago. This not only damages our economy but also undervalues the work that those agencies perform and the rationale for having a national capital.
Collocation of scientists, academics, professionals and policymakers is not an accident. It was designed that way to create efficiencies, to create cross-fertilisation, to ensure that Australia was a nation that excelled in many fields. We have been a leader in many ways, in many fields, across the years, I think, because of the opportunities that have been created by collocating national institutions, national agencies and key research bodies here in the ACT.
The very nature of Ms Cody’s motion and the discussion of secure work result in a broad-ranging discussion. My remarks have reflected that a bit today. We are pleased to support this motion. We think these are important discussions to be having. We think to some extent they should be beyond politics. This is about treating people with decency and respect and also about getting the best outcomes for our community.
MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra) (3.32): I too rise today in support of Ms Cody’s motion. With the exception of Miss Burch’s hyperbolic and largely incorrect speech, I am pleased to join the chorus of voices standing up for the ACT in this place today. I do have to say I feel like a broken record. Here we are again, defending Australian public service jobs. Here we are again, defending Canberra workers. I have spoken many times before about my desire to staunchly stand up for our public servants as the coalition government continues to treat them like pawns on a chessboard. I have spoken many times before about my fierce opposition to deep spending cuts and short-sighted pork-barrelling. Blow after blow and, with the coalition government returned to power, the assault on Canberra continues.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video