Opposition questions the Health Minister's refusal to include a no-privatisation clause in employee agreements, implying a hidden agenda. The Minister defends his position by stating that policy decisions should be separate from industrial agreements.

AnsweredQoN 121Legislative Assembly
Asked
17 March 2011
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

HOSPITAL SERVICES — PRIVATISATION
I have a supplementary question. If the Minister for Health has no plans to privatise further, why does he object to a no-privatisation clause being inserted into these employees’ agreements? He should not—if he has nothing to hide. The SPEAKER : Minister, I believe the question is seeking an opinion, but you are welcome to answer if you so desire. Dr K.D. HAMES

AnswerView source ↗

I am happy to answer. There should be, as there was not under the former government, a very clear distinction between an industrial agreement and a policy of government. Labor managed to take what should have been a government policy and have it inserted in an award. We will not do that. We will make our policy decisions as policy decisions that the public can judge on going to the next election. Our industrial relationships agreements will be based on what they should be based on—that is, the terms and conditions of employment.
The SPEAKER : Minister, I believe the question is seeking an opinion, but you are welcome to answer if you so desire. Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I am happy to answer. There should be, as there was not under the former government, a very clear distinction between an industrial agreement and a policy of government. Labor managed to take what should have been a government policy and have it inserted in an award. We will not do that. We will make our policy decisions as policy decisions that the public can judge on going to the next election. Our industrial relationships agreements will be based on what they should be based on—that is, the terms and conditions of employment.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: I am happy to answer. There should be, as there was not under the former government, a very clear distinction between an industrial agreement and a policy of government. Labor managed to take what should have been a government policy and have it inserted in an award. We will not do that. We will make our policy decisions as policy decisions that the public can judge on going to the next election. Our industrial relationships agreements will be based on what they should be based on—that is, the terms and conditions of employment.
I am happy to answer. There should be, as there was not under the former government, a very clear distinction between an industrial agreement and a policy of government. Labor managed to take what should have been a government policy and have it inserted in an award. We will not do that. We will make our policy decisions as policy decisions that the public can judge on going to the next election. Our industrial relationships agreements will be based on what they should be based on—that is, the terms and conditions of employment.
There should be, as there was not under the former government, a very clear distinction between an industrial agreement and a policy of government. Labor managed to take what should have been a government policy and have it inserted in an award. We will not do that. We will make our policy decisions as policy decisions that the public can judge on going to the next election. Our industrial relationships agreements will be based on what they should be based on—that is, the terms and conditions of employment.

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