Page 1845 - Week 06 - Thursday, 9 May 2013
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MR RATTENBURY: I thank Mr Coe for the question. I think it would be best described as at the very preliminary stages, as is the case with the whole-of-government enterprise agreement that is coming up at the moment. Various agencies are at different points, but generally it is at the stage where first approaches have been made. The respective parties have begun to raise the issues that they believe will be the substantive issues in the negotiations. That is about all the progress that has been made so far.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, what aspects of the current agreement do you think need to be modernised?
MR RATTENBURY: There are a range of issues in the agreement that both ACTION management and the TWU, on behalf of the bus drivers in particular but also the mechanics union, have raised as part of the negotiations. They will be discussed over the next couple of months.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, what is your stance on the need for more casual drivers in the network?
MR RATTENBURY: That is an issue that I do not have a particular view on at this point, Mr Smyth. It is something that has not been identified as a specific issue, but it may well be something that comes up through the course of negotiations. I think there is a long way to go. As I indicated in answer to Mr Coe’s first question, we are very much at the preliminary stages of considering the upcoming enterprise agreement, and there is quite some distance to go in looking through a few of these issues.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, do you agree with the hierarchical nature of allocating shifts within ACTION?
MR RATTENBURY: I thank Mr Smyth for the question. I think the hierarchical nature of shift allocation in ACTION is one that is well recognised. I think many members are aware that this is the case. I think it raises some concern for some people, both in the public and within ACTION itself. It is something that may well be on the table through the course of negotiations.
Arts—Tuggeranong Arts Centre
MR SMYTH: Madam Speaker, my question is to the Minister for the Arts. Minister, your handling of the 55 Plus Club development project in 2011, your last major project in Tuggeranong, was characterised by the president of the club with the following statement: “I’m not complaining but I now have sympathy with elephants; they have to wait 22 months for their babies to be born.” Minister, you recently
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