Page 3029 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video


In terms of the offer, the government has offered a range of different opportunities. The current EBA has a nominal expiry date of 30 June. The new agreement pay rises are: for year 1, a single $2,900 flat increase in salary or a two per cent increase in salary rates, whichever is the greater, effective from 1 July 2013; for year 2, two 1½ per cent increases in salary rates, payable from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2014 and 1 April 2015; for year 3, two 1½ per cent increases in salary rates, payable from the first pay period on or after 1 October 2015 and 1 April 2016; and for year 4, two 1½ per cent increases in salary rates, payable from the first pay period on or after 1 October 2016 and 1 April 2017.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Porter.

MS PORTER: Minister, could you tell the Assembly if the proposed EBA contains the offer of days off to conduct voluntary work, as currently is available to public servants in the ACT?

MR CORBELL: I thank Ms Porter for the supplementary. It is the case that the government does support and facilitate, through our enterprise bargaining agreements generally, opportunities for staff to engage in volunteer work. We consider this to be a very important part of engaging staff in the broader work of the community and engagement with the community.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Lawder.

MS LAWDER: Minister, have you taken your eye off the ball here, given that you did not know it was resolved?

MR CORBELL: As I indicated to Ms Lawder earlier, I was aware that the EBA was close to finalisation, and that is exactly the case. I think that we should be very pleased with the pay offer that our ambulance paramedics are receiving. They have very strong support from the union. I maintain close engagement with the union that represents ambulance officers. I met with them as recently as last week.

ACT Ambulance Service—management culture

MRS JONES: My question is to the minister for emergency services. Minister, after taking a year to initiate the inquiry into the “toxic management culture” within the ACT Ambulance Service, the inquiry was to report by the end of August this year. Minister, have you received a report?

MR CORBELL: No, I have not.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mrs Jones.

MRS JONES: Minister, when will such a report be received?

MR CORBELL: I have received an update from the reviewers on the progress of the report and they have indicated to me that they wish to undertake some further work


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video