Page 5238 - Week 16 - Thursday, 28 November 1991
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The recurrent expenditure position is that, in the first third - 33 per cent - of the year we had spent 34.6 per cent of our recurrent budget, or $60.436m. So, we are 1.3 per cent over budget, which is within the normal rise and fall of being on target. My comments that we are on track and on target remain, and I am confident that the process in relation to staff numbers is going satisfactorily.
Grass Cutting Contracts
MR JENSEN: Mr Speaker, my question is also directed to Mr Connolly, this time in his capacity as Minister for Urban Services. I refer the Minister to a recent agreement between the Australian Workers Union, the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen's Association and the senior management of the City Parks section regarding the accrual of authorised days off, or ADOs, and the suggestion that this arrangement will better utilise department machinery. As this change is predicated on the fact that no extra mowing will be done under the agreement, can the Minister advise what effect, if any, this arrangement will have on the work for private contractors currently employed on grass cutting contracts?
Mr Connolly: I do not like to comment on Mr Wood's portfolio.
MR JENSEN: I am sorry. I should have addressed it to Mr Wood.
Mr Wood: Would you just repeat that last sentence?
MR JENSEN: I will certainly do that. Can the Minister advise what effect, if any, this arrangement will have on the work for private contractors currently employed on grass cutting contracts? So, you are getting the grass cut, Bill.
MR WOOD: Yes, I am the grass cutter - and I noted that we had some rain the other day. The trial of rostered days off - and I stress that it is a trial - has been undertaken in the expectation that it will provide a more efficient service, benefits to the ACT through the way it is done and also benefits to the workers. It is in our mutual interests.
I cannot tell you the precise figures now, off the top of my head. I did go through them, and all the ramifications for the ACT and the department. It looked as though it was a sound proposition, and so we are running it. There were a few ifs and buts about it to see how long it will continue. It depends also on the cooperation of another union. So, at this stage, I have to say that it is a trial. On the basis of the careful consideration we gave to it, it looks like it will be successful. It certainly looked that way on paper. As it proceeds I will keep Mr Jensen informed about it.
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