Page 4527 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 14 December 1993

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The apparent reluctance of staff to make bookings to which Ms Szuty refers reflects the unavailability of podiatrists; it is as simple as that. The difficulty that results is that bookings for clients are presenting as a problem. I understand that the practice is for booking staff to take the relevant details and make a booking as soon as it is known that a podiatrist is available. We are providing as much as we can with our available resources, but unfortunately the availability varies on a week-to-week basis, and this sometimes makes firm bookings difficult. We are working to address the issue of a locum, but it is a difficult one.

Public Holidays

MR WESTENDE: Madam Speaker, my question is addressed to the Deputy Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister for Industrial Relations. Is it correct, as stated in a Confederation of ACT Industry circular, that the Minister has announced the following public holidays for the ACT: Monday, 27 December 1993; Tuesday, 28 December 1993; Monday, 3 January 1994; and Wednesday, 26 January 1994? Is it further correct that the New South Wales Government has announced the same days plus Saturday, 25 December 1993, and Saturday, 1 January 1994, as public holidays? Can the Minister therefore confirm that in the ACT Saturday, the 25th, and Saturday, the 1st, are not public holidays?

MR BERRY: I think I will take that question on notice because there are - - -

Mr Kaine: The correct answer is, "I do not know".

MR BERRY: No. I will take that on notice and we will make sure that that is clarified as soon as I can get the information together.

Mr Westende: People are ringing up and saying that they cannot figure out what is correct.

MR BERRY: I would like to see the circular and see what it says. I will make sure that the matter is clarified for you as soon as possible because it is important that people know what is going on.

MR WESTENDE: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker.

Mr Wood: It is nice to know that he wants more holidays.

MR WESTENDE: No. All I know is that we have just reached an enterprise bargaining agreement.

Mr De Domenico: Did you speak to Mr Berry or Mr Connolly?

MR WESTENDE: Neither. What action, if any, does the Minister expect to take should any of the shops open on undeclared public holidays?

MADAM SPEAKER: You will take that on notice as well, Mr Berry?

MR BERRY: I will wrap it all together and we will give him a full response.


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