Page 1176 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 24 April 1990
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a method of justifying savings when the proposed savings are actually to be met through staff cuts, where there is absolutely no oversupply? In other words, the argument that he is using with those numbers is totally invalid.
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I do not know about the assumptions behind Mr Moore's supplementary question, but I can only say that he is asking me for an opinion on something Dr Kinloch has said previously. I am not obliged to answer questions like that. I do not know on what basis he asked me that question. If he wants to ask me about Government policy at the present time, I will happily answer his question. If he wants to ask me my own personal views on education or philosophy, I will happily answer his question as well. The point is we have decisions that are yet to be made. The philosophy we are laying down is very clear, and I hope that that will become clear to Mr Moore as he examines what we have already said on this subject.
Occupational Health and Safety
MRS NOLAN: My question is also to Mr Humphries, this time in his capacity as the Minister for Health. I refer the Minister to the enactment of the occupational health and safety legislation by the Assembly last year. As the majority of ACT workers are in an office environment, what is the Government doing to ensure that workers have access to ways which promote occupational health in this context?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I do wish that the Remuneration Tribunal were here today to see how hard Ministers work in the Government. I thank Mrs Nolan for her question because it highlights the importance of cooperation in this area, particularly between the Assembly and the Government. The success of the Assembly's legislative initiatives is undermined if the Executive does not have the will or the resources to support them with administrative action. That is what I think is the crux of Mrs Nolan's question.
The recent legislation passed last year highlighted the need to address the practical issues in occupational health and safety. The Independent Living Centre is an agency within my department which assists people to make effective decisions regarding items of equipment or aids which enable them to enhance the quality of their lifestyle. While these services have particular relevance to those members of the community with physical disabilities, the service is open to all members of the community and that centre carries a brief for all Territorians.
With this responsibility in mind, and following in the spirit of the legislation, the centre has expanded its office seating and work station equipment displays. Users of the centre can trial a variety of equipment options in one location. An occupational therapist provides professional advice to clients on the equipment being
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