Page 3343 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 17 September 1991

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In particular, as Mr Kaine would be aware, we have addressed the issue - which was raised in a great deal of the correspondence on this matter - of people whose work obliges them to be absent from the ACT for a period and who, in those circumstances, have become, as they term themselves, involuntary landlords. So, that matter has been dealt with in the Bill itself, as has the general matter of exemptions from land tax on compassionate grounds - another matter that Mr Kaine raised during question time.

So, I am happy to consult with the Real Estate Institute if that is what they wish. I am not aware that they have actually requested an appointment with me, but I could be wrong about that. I am sure that members opposite know that I am generally happy to debate any issue that comes before this Assembly and to consult with groups within the community on any issue that they wish to be consulted on. The Real Estate Institute is absolutely no different in that respect from any other group. I have met with a number of groups on this issue.

Government Service - Staff Numbers

MR COLLAERY: My question is directed to the Chief Minister in her role as Minister responsible for the public service and for youth affairs. Chief Minister, as you are aware, the size of the Territory's public service has been of considerable public interest in recent times. I ask whether you can inform the house - even in round terms - how many public servants are employed by the Territory Government? If your briefing material gives break-ups of full-time, casual and so on, that would be helpful, but the round figure would be appreciated; and, as well, in that figure, the number of youth trainees under the youth trainee scheme.

MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr Collaery for the question, Mr Speaker. I should advise that I will be dealing in round terms because I do not have a detailed answer on the precise numbers of public servants. The figure that I am most familiar with is roughly 22,000, and that includes, of course, all classes of people employed by the Government Service - bus drivers, nurses, gardeners, and so on, as well as the people that we might think of as more traditional types of public servants. Under the traineeship arrangements, I believe that our current allocation - and it is a figure that I would need to check - is 12.

MR COLLAERY: I ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Ms Follett, if you do not have the precise figures, and have only round figures - and I must concede that that is all we could ever get - would you not concede that, if you


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