Page 5986 - Week 14 - Thursday, 8 December 2011

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… often women have somewhat of a luxury about whether they are in the workforce or not—a luxury that often does not accrue in the same way to men … And it is often the case, especially in a town like Canberra where perhaps people are not quite so dependent upon a second income, that women, especially in their middle years and later years, are more inclined to move in and out of the workforce as it suits them …

We know there are women that are depending on government concessions, concessions that cover energy and gas, water and sewerage, general rates, transport, motor vehicle registration, drivers licences and spectacles. In last year’s budget energy concessions were increased by 24 per cent, up to $266. We have provided a utility energy concession at $346, which makes a substantial difference to households—households where Mrs Dunne says that for women it is a luxury as to whether they work. We also know that a household with two parents and two school-age children on an average household income of $45,000 have concessions to the value of just under 30 per cent of their annual household income, across energy concessions, utility concessions and motor vehicle concessions.

MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Le Couteur): The time for the discussion has now expired.

Executive business—precedence

Ordered that executive business be called on.

Justice and Community Safety—Standing Committee

Statement by chair

MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra): In accordance with standing order 246A, as the chair of the standing committee on the scrutiny of bills, I would like to inform the Assembly that the committee has considered the Work Health and Safety (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011 and has no comment on the bill. We will report at greater length in our next formal report.

Work Health and Safety (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011

Debate resumed from 6 December 2011, on motion by Ms Burch:

That this bill be agreed to in principle.

MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (4.09): The Canberra Liberals will be supporting this bill.

MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (4.09): On behalf of Ms Bresnan, who has the carriage of this matter for the Greens, I am aware that the Greens have looked at this bill. They have given it consideration. I know that they have looked at it very closely and will be supporting the bill today.


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