Page 65 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 14 February 2012

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extend the regime to workers in the ACT’s security industry so they are provided with similar benefits. In addition to the community sector industry, the ACT has portable long service leave schemes for the building and construction industry and the contract cleaning industry, all managed by the ACT Long Service Leave Authority.

The government is currently working towards the development of a portable long service leave entitlement to employees undertaking relevant work across the security industry. Stakeholder consultation is currently underway, with the release of an exposure draft and discussion paper late last year. Comments and submissions on the proposed attributes of the scheme are due by 29 February this year, with a view to commencing the scheme on 1 July.

Fitters Workshop

MRS DUNNE: My question is in relation to the Fitters Workshop. In the public hearings in relation to the inquiry of the Standing Committee on Education, Training and Youth Affairs into the future of the Fitters Workshop, there were several accusations of bullying, intimidation and other attempts by government officials and ministerial staff to influence behaviour of community individuals—

Mr Hargreaves: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

MRS DUNNE: and arts organisations—

MR SPEAKER: Order! One moment.

Mr Hargreaves: I think this is the first time it has happened in this system and I just wanted an understanding and a refreshment. What we are seeing here is a preamble to the rostered question. I was under the impression that preambles were not going to be applicable in this particular segment of question time. If that is so, could I ask that you rule those out of order after this and then ask Mrs Dunne to get to the question?

MR SPEAKER: Yes, thank you, Mr Hargreaves. I do not think there is any clarity on that. Perhaps that is something we will take up in the administration and procedure committee this Friday when we meet. Mrs Dunne, proceed with your question, thank you.

MRS DUNNE: I will just go back a little, if I could, to get the flow going. There were several accusations of bullying, intimidation and other attempts by government officials and ministerial staff to influence the behaviour of community individuals and arts organisations as to what should or should not be done in relation to the future of the Fitters Workshop.

Minister, what are you doing to investigate these claims of bullying and intimidation and what action have you taken as the Minister for Industrial Relations to instruct officials and staffers in this place to maintain a neutral line in what they say on this subject to individuals and arts organisations in the community?


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