Page 3908 - Week 10 - Thursday, 28 August 2008
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unreasonable to ask employers to prevent fatigue and stress, which are often a natural part of working. If the government believes they can legislate away workplace fatigue and stress, they are fooling themselves. Although I am sure that this is the self-congratulatory position they will take, the reality is that this will simply penalise business with unreasonable obligations, particularly smaller enterprises, which are the ones that worry me. This is bad for business and bad for workers.
I share Mr Stefaniak’s concern about the pace with which this has been pushed through. It is the old story—put everything in at the last minute, particularly contentious stuff like this. It was the contentious OH&S stuff before the 2004 election that attracted some of the largest gatherings of people when we met at the convention centre. I remember many people were angry about those measures, and I think the government have learnt from that lesson. They have decided to leave it to the last minute and try and push it through the Assembly. (Time expired.)
MR SPEAKER: Members, Mr Mulcahy drew attention to the lack of a quorum as he began his speech. I think he wanted more members to listen to the important things he was going to say. I have agreed to scold you, Mr Stefaniak, for leaving the chamber when a quorum was called, so consider yourself scolded.
Mr Stefaniak: I apologise to you, Mr Speaker, and to my colleague Mr Mulcahy.
MR SPEAKER: I do not think there is any need for that.
Mr Stefaniak: Unfortunately, I had to do a very quick interview and I had limited time. I extend my apologies to you and to Mr Mulcahy. I missed hearing the first part of his speech, which is what I would have loved to have heard. I will read that in Hansard.
MR SPEAKER: We do not feel terribly scarred, Mr Stefaniak, but it does offend the chair.
Sitting suspended from 12.32 to 2.30 pm.
Questions without notice
Gas-fired power station
MR SESELJA: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, yesterday you said, “I do not recall,” in response to my question about whether ActewAGL had approached the government in February seeking to take the power station out of their proposal. I refer you to a February briefing note from your department, signed by you:
… Actew are now suggesting that they do not wish to provide any excess power over that needed by the data centre.
Does this assist your memory? What other information have you looked at in the last 24 hours to refresh your memory and what is your recollection of this issue today?
MR STANHOPE: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. It is quite interesting the extent to which, of course, a desperate Leader of the Opposition—and
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