Page 2681 - Week 10 - Thursday, 15 October 1992
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For example, last year the total number of traineeships was 380. For this year, since all the traineeships for the December quarter are in, we now know it to be 433, or very close to that figure. The latecomers to this scene were the Commonwealth Government. It was their strong inflow with trainees in the December quarter that gave a good balance to the year and which shows that increasing number of traineeships.
MR LAMONT: I have a supplementary question. I note from your answer that there is some suggestion that the private sector take-up rate of traineeships is less than what it may otherwise be or could be. Could you comment on the issue surrounding the establishment of traineeships and the benefits provided to private sector employers?
MR WOOD: Mr Lamont and I have been discussing this matter. He maintains his enthusiasm for increasing numbers of apprentices and traineeships. The private sector plays a role in the ACT in taking on trainees, and so they should, because it is a very good deal for them. The trainees receive 75 per cent of the junior award, so it is a very cost-efficient means of taking on an employee. I understand that there is no payroll tax, so that is an added incentive and perhaps says something about the Opposition's claims that they would employ many more people if payroll tax did not exist. So, the private employers get a very good deal on this. I suppose the statistic says something; that with a 50-50 employment basis in Canberra, 50 per cent public and 50 per cent private, the public sector still provides two-thirds of all traineeships, with the remaining one-third coming from the private sector. I think it is fairly clear that the private sector, with this very attractive offer, could do a great deal more yet.
Agency Heads - Selection Process
MR DE DOMENICO: Madam Speaker, I ask a question of the Chief Minister. I refer the Chief Minister both to her reply to Mr Kaine's question today and to Mr Wood's reply to Mr Kaine yesterday claiming that in the ACT it was common practice for political officers to sit on selection panels for senior executives in the ACT public service. Can the Chief Minister indicate what senior executive selection panels other than the recent panel to select the Secretary of the Department of Education and Training have had political staff as members?
MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, I repeat the point that I made before; that if members opposite want to make a scandal out of this they really do have to put their cards on the table. Madam Speaker, I believe that appointments which are made like this and which are on public record speak for themselves. I think that Mr Kaine's and Mr De Domenico's colleague Mr Greiner found that out with his appointment of Dr Metherell. The quality of the candidate is usually apparent, Madam Speaker.
I have answered the question before, Madam Speaker. As I say, if they want to make a scandal, they have to say what it is. The contrast again, as I will say again, Madam Speaker, is with Mr Kaine's appointment of the Auditor-General. Far from having any staffers involved, he did it on his own. He did not even consult his own government colleagues at the time. If the then Chief Minister unilaterally making such a decision is not politicisation, then I do not know what is. You have to bear in mind, Madam Speaker, that the Auditor-General answers
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