Page 2187 - Week 08 - Thursday, 10 September 1992
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through its corollary, which is that I could, in their view, just as easily direct the police not to investigate a matter or not to question or speak with particular persons in the course of an investigation. That is, I believe, not a sustainable proposition. As I have stated many times, the Head of Administration and the Secretary of the Department of Health undertook this investigation in conjunction with the Australian Federal Police. My view is that we should let them get on with it. I certainly look forward to hearing in due course what the results are.
MR KAINE: I have a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. It appears now that members of the Government were aware that this investigation was taking place. Can we assume that the investigation proceeded with the full knowledge, understanding and consent of the members of the Government?
MS FOLLETT: I have answered that question. I was advised formally on Monday that this investigation was under way. Mr Kaine seems to persist in the belief that I could, in some way, prevent the police from questioning certain people in the course of an investigation. I think that is a foolhardy suggestion for the Leader of the Opposition to be putting forward. It is simply not the case. The police investigate. Their operational matters are matters for them. It is not for me to try to influence the police either to investigate or to speak with particular people, just as it is not for me to tell them not to speak to particular people. That would, I think, be completely overstepping the bounds of propriety.
Boxing Day Holiday
MRS GRASSBY: My question is addressed to the Deputy Chief Minister. Does the ACT Government intend to follow the New South Wales Government and not provide a substitute holiday for Boxing Day, which this year falls on a Saturday?
Mr Kaine: Gee, this is important stuff.
MR BERRY: Mr Kaine says, "Gee, this is important stuff". He is right again. It is important stuff for ACT workers. Madam Speaker, it was wrongly reported in the media today that the ACT would follow New South Wales and not transfer the Boxing Day holiday from Saturday, 26 December, to the following Monday. Most ACT awards provide that when Boxing Day falls on a Saturday the public holiday is transferred to the following Monday. Further to this, the Government amended the Holidays Act earlier this year so that a similar substitution could occur for workers not covered by awards.
What is going on in New South Wales is typical of what the Liberals will do to working conditions arbitrarily when they are in power. These people will get rid of Santa Claus and the Easter bunny, I am sure, because they are prepared to go to any lengths to reduce the conditions of workers. There will be no change to past practice when Boxing Day falls on a Saturday. Monday, 28 December, will be a holiday for all ACT workers - because we have managed to keep the Liberals out - and that will be achieved by one of the means mentioned. This will mean, Madam Speaker, that arrangements in the ACT will be different to those in New South Wales on that day. In fact, they will be much better.
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