Hon Peter Collier questions the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection regarding a shortage of qualified Dental Assistants, its impact on regional services, and its potential contribution to the gender pay gap. The Minister claims the questions are outside their department's jurisdiction and downplays the issue's impact on the gender pay gap.

AnsweredQoN 2230Legislative Council
Asked
23 June 2005
Portfolio
Consumer and Employment Protection

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Is the Minister aware that there is a shortage of qualified Dental Assistants?
(2) Is the Minister aware that Dental Health Services are employing unqualified Dental Assistants in country and regional areas due to a shortage of qualified Dental Assistants?
(3) Is the Minister aware that Dental Health Services are also advertising for unqualified Dental Assistants to carry on the duties of qualified Dental Assistants?
(4) Is the Minister aware that the shortage of qualified Dental Assistants is due to the low pay in the Public Service due to the Dental Assistants Certificate IV not being recognised?
(5) Is the Minister aware that this is a contributory factor to the gender pay gap, which the Labor Government is committed to reducing?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
16 August 2005
Responded by
Minister for Fisheries representing the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection
Response time
54 days
(1)-(4) Not applicable as these questions are outside the jurisdiction of the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. (5) There are many contributing factors to the gender pay gap question. It is hard to suggest this is a major contributory factor.
(5) There are many contributing factors to the gender pay gap question. It is hard to suggest this is a major contributory factor.

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