Page 145 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 9 February 2022

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video


workplace, and we have committed to doing exactly that. Last year the suite of compliance tools of the work safety regulator was expanded to include a WHS offence for industrial manslaughter. This was an important step in providing a cascading set of offence categories to better deter poor safety practices. We expect that work occurring at the national level will lead to changes to the model WHS laws to put a stronger focus on dealing with psychosocial risks as well.

Mr Assistant Speaker, these are some of the things that I will be progressing across my portfolio. These initiatives are in addition to supporting Corrective Services staff, detainees and helping reduce recidivism as well. I look forward to working with the Chief Minister and my colleagues to deliver for all Canberrans. I commend the Chief Minister’s statement to the Assembly.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Government Procurement Amendment Bill 2021

Debate resumed from 10 November 2021, on motion by Mr Steel and Mr Gentleman:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

MR CAIN (Ginninderra) (11.16): The Canberra Liberals will be supporting the bulk of this bill, but we have grave concerns about one of its clauses. I will make a few opening remarks and I look forward to debate during the detail stage.

The bill amends the Government Procurement Act 2001 and the Government Procurement Regulation 2007. In summary, it enables the Secure Local Jobs Code Registrar, or their public servant delegate, the power to enter the premise of a certified entity and inspect records, the premise being where the business is undertaken or where records are kept.

The bill enables the registrar to suspend or alter the conditions of an entity’s secure local jobs code certificate if they have reasonable grounds to suspect noncompliance. It raises the threshold for the requirement of a labour relations training and workplace equity plan for the construction sector from $25,000 to $200,000 and allows information sharing with other responsible enforcement authorities.

The bill includes additional decision review provisions for complainants about the compliance with the code. These changes are proposed to be made in response to a review of the code completed by the Secure Local Jobs Code Advisory Council in January 2021. The balance of this bill will be supported by the Canberra Liberals and I look forward to debating a particular clause during the detail stage.

MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella-Manager of Government Business, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (11.18), in reply: I am pleased to close the debate on the Government Procurement Amendment Bill 2021 today. The bill supports the government’s


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video