Page 3550 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 18 September 2019

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Auditor-General that noted and found that the previous form of the scheme was not clear enough and that there needed to be some reforms to it.

Those were accepted, in fact accepted in this chamber by both Mr Parton and Mr Milligan who have argued for the reforms and that we needed to make some changes there and yet at the same stage they tended to argue against that. It is not the first time that we would have had the opposition arguing simultaneously both for and against something or other as they develop a Schrodinger’s approach to policy development.

What we are doing is making sure that there is increased funding available for community groups. We want to make sure that those matters that have not supported the community strongly enough have been removed. We have incentivised and made it possible for more organisations, more diverse organisations, to be supported so that more funding can go to more places.

I also want to make sure that we clarify very clearly that the government is not saying that it has not introduced regulation, has not changed it, so that community clubs cannot support professional men’s sport. What has happened is what has been occurring within the specific element of money that is known as the community contributions scheme. In previous years contributions to organisations have gone beyond the community contributions scheme. That is still possible. That is still able to happen even with the changes that came in on 1 July. (Time expired.)

Employment—apprentices and trainees

MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety. Can you update the Assembly on how the government is ensuring secure employment for Canberrans, especially for workers starting in their chosen fields?

MS ORR: I thank Mr Pettersson for the question. The ACT government is committed to ensuring that Canberrans are employed in safe and secure jobs, especially as they start their careers, for example, as apprentices and trainees. We know that our economy and our community depend on the skilled work of apprentices and trainees, including construction tradespeople, hairdressers, mechanics and early childhood educators. That is why this government is providing them with the support and resources they need to enter secure employment and fulfilling careers.

For apprentices and trainees under 25 the recently launched Young Workers Centre can provide them with information and support on their employment and workplace conditions including information on awards and agreements, payslips, penalty rates and national employment standards. This government committed funding to support the delivery of a young workers advice service, and I know that the Young Workers Centre is making a huge difference for young Canberrans, including apprentices and trainees.

Our government is also ensuring secure local jobs right across the territory through the secure local jobs package. As members would be aware, the secure local jobs


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