Page 2244 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 28 August 2007
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MR BARR: No, I am not suggesting they got it wrong. The High Court made its decision but it was not a unanimous decision. That would be the first point I would make. It was interesting that the big “C” conservative, Justice Callinan, sided with Justice Kirby in agreeing with the states and territories in large part, so it was—
Mr Smyth: Broad church.
MR BARR: Yes, it was. I think they arrived at that decision for different reasons, but for Mr Mulcahy to say that there was not a valid case when a number of justices of the High Court agreed with the states and territories is a little unfair. We will have to agree to disagree on WorkChoices, Mr Mulcahy; that is fairly clear. Your sole objective in life is to screw over workers as best as possible.
Mr Mulcahy: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I think that is an inappropriate remark. I ask that the minister withdraw it.
MR BARR: I withdraw that remark. Mr Mulcahy’s sole purpose in life is to advance the interests of employers, and it is certainly the case that those on this side of the chamber will continue our strong advocacy against the WorkChoices legislation.
I am very pleased to be introducing the Family and Community Day public holiday to provide some form of compensation to employees in the ACT who have suffered a massive reduction in entitlements, particularly those in the private sector, who have had the Union Picnic Day stripped away from them. It is important that we are able to provide some further balance in people’s lives through Family and Community Day, another initiative within the Office of Industrial Relations. It is important that we come forward with these practical solutions that will make a difference to people’s day-to-day lives.
The people of Canberra can make their judgements on exactly how hard they work and whether they believe that one additional day to spend with their families and in the community is important. Those opposite do not believe so. I am very happy to take forward my proposition to the people of Canberra that in fact that day is justified, and it is something that I am sure we will look forward to celebrating on the first Tuesday in November.
I am very pleased to commend the Office of Industrial Relations for the work they do, and the appropriation they will be receiving through this budget.
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (6.18): Given that the Chief Minister’s Department takes the lead on whole-of-government initiatives, I would like to start by addressing the ACT government’s response to climate change, which is without doubt a whole-of-government exercise. It is a great disappointment that the climate change strategy took so long to be delivered.
As a Greens representative, I try to look at the budget through a Green lens. I said this in my contribution to the budget debate, and I will say it again: the Green lens is a multifaceted prism but at the outset it seeks to answer questions about the budget such
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