Page 3021 - Week 08 - Thursday, 15 August 2019
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That is why, in this year’s budget, we funded $471,000 to improve job security for ACT government employees by reviewing the use of casual and temporary employment across the public service, aiming to identify roles that could be transitioned to secure permanent positions. I understand that considerable work has already been undertaken with stakeholders to ensure that we create a solid foundation on which to undertake this work. I look forward to seeing the results.
I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the work of the workplace safety and industrial relations group within CMTEDD. I am constantly impressed by their professionalism and the quality of their policy work on a range of issues, from labour hire licensing to the secure local jobs code; legislative changes to strengthen work, health and safety across our community; and the considerable work that is still ongoing to create the independent WorkSafe ACT. The group’s accountability indicator in relation to policy advice really tells only a small part of the story. I also recognise how often they take calls and meet with me and my staff to discuss issues that are key to driving our progressive agenda in the ACT.
The 2018-19 financial year saw the significant achievement of the ACT becoming a self-insurer for workers compensation within the Comcare scheme. This was a large and complex piece of work that most Canberrans will never know or care about, but which will deliver real improvements for ACT public servants.
Finally, I want to congratulate the work safety and IR team and their colleagues across the ACT public service on their work in continuing to reduce the incidence of serious workplace injury. The estimated outcome for 2018-19 of 7.87 claims resulting in absence from the workplace of one week or more per 1,000 employees significantly exceeds the target of 9.84. This speaks to the commitment across our public service leadership, to whom the work safety and IR team also provides advice. That commitment is driving the development of whole-of-government strategies, including those to address occupational violence and mental health and wellbeing.
These are important pieces of work and highlight that there will always be more to do to create safer and healthier workplaces in both the government and non-government sectors. The work safety and industrial relations team is clearly committed to this work. I thank them for the support they have given me as minister over the past year and the work they do for all Canberrans.
MS ORR (Yerrabi) (3.20): The 2019-20 budget is building for Canberra’s future. As a government, we are making strong investments across a range of areas that will improve our social and economic outlook.
Through the 2019-20 budget, we will deliver stronger compliance to improve building quality across the ACT. The government will hire 16 more staff for Access Canberra to undertake monitoring and compliance activity, as well as provide more information to industry and homebuyers about their rights and obligations when carrying out building work. These staff will also have the capacity to deliver more exams for builder licences so that builders in Canberra have the knowledge and skills they need to ensure they are completing their work properly.
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