Page 837 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 25 July 1989
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will be drafted on the issue for further comment. I understand that the necessary steps in the lengthy process of drafting legislation will involve the Law Office, which is monitoring progress on the matter and which will submit legislation, based on the commission findings, to Cabinet in due course.
Deportation of Minor
MR MOORE: My question is directed to the Minister for Industry, Employment and Education. I refer to the Canberra Times report last Sunday on the deportation of a minor from Canberra. Considering this Government's commitment to the rights of children, as expressed in comments supporting the Burdekin report, is the Minister prepared to intercede on behalf of Canberra student Janice Thorpe to prevent her outrageous expulsion within the next few days?
MR WHALAN: I thank Mr Moore for the question. I did see the news report. It is essentially a matter for Commonwealth Government immigration policy, which is very complex, and I certainly will have my department inquire of the Commonwealth to ensure that the welfare of those children is appropriately considered. But ultimately it is a problem for the Commonwealth Government to address.
Stop-work Rally
MR STEFANIAK: My question is addressed to the Chief Minister. Does she condone the compulsory stop-work meeting which is to be held here tomorrow at 10.00 am and which has been authorised by the BWIU, the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen's Association and several other unions, including the Amalgamated Metal Workers Union? Secondly, will she do anything to protect those workers who may be victimised for disobeying this compulsory stop-work rally which is due to protest about jobs for Canberra, police powers and occupational health and safety?
MS FOLLETT: I do not believe that it is my place to condone or otherwise a stop-work meeting that has been called. I am not aware of this particular stop-work meeting, and my views or approval were not sought and have certainly not been given. It is a matter in which I have not been involved, so, no, I am not prepared to condone it, as it does not appear that it is either necessary or appropriate that I should do so.
As to the second half of the question, I think that is a matter which really needs to be dealt with by the industrial unions involved, in negotiation with management. It is a question that presupposes that the events Mr Stefaniak has outlined will occur. We have no such indication that they will. So it is rather a theoretical
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