Page 3230 - Week 11 - Thursday, 13 September 1990
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MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, the answer is no.
MR BERRY: I have a supplementary question. Perhaps Mr Humphries might inform the Assembly and the people of Canberra what the point of an inquiry is if you still intend to move to close schools?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, this is really not a supplementary question. I repeat the point of order I have made many times in the past about supplementary questions which are totally out of order. I will, however, answer it to the extent that it has been asked.
It is the intention of the Government to conduct this inquiry in the form of an audit, an audit particularly of the social and economic impact of a decision the Government made and of the costings and savings that arise out of the Government's decision. I am confident that this process will lead to a confirmation of the Government's position in respect of these school closures, not because I am predetermining the outcome, not because I am going to direct the independent assessor to come down with a particular decision, but because I am confident that the hard work done by those people in the department of education over the last five or so weeks will be confirmed. This does not mean, of course, that the Government will be insensitive or unresponsive to the results of this inquiry. But in my view it is appropriate for us to assess these figures independently, and this is the process that will be going on in this inquiry.
Dental Therapists
MR JENSEN: Mr Speaker, my question is directed to Mr Humphries in his capacity as Minister for Health. It is in relation to the professional status of dental therapists employed by the ACT Community and Health Service. Can the Minister advise the Assembly what progress has been made by the Government in resolving the claim for professional status by the dental therapists?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I thank Mr Jensen for his question. He will be aware, as will others in the Assembly, that there has been some dispute concerning the professional status of dental therapists in the ACT Community and Health Service over a period of some months. Following hearings before the Industrial Relations Commission on the 15th and 16th of last month, I am pleased to report that agreement has been reached between the Professional Officers Association, which represents the dental therapists, and the ACT Community and Health Service to include dental therapists in the professional pay structure which applies within the Australian Public Service. This is consistent with the formal offer made by the service prior to the hearing.
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