❓ Opposition questions the Premier about the government's plan to pay public servants to attend an industrial relations rally, arguing the proposed federal laws won't affect them. The Premier defends the decision, citing the broad impact of the legislation and the historical context of public sector workers seeking federal awards.
AnsweredQoN 325Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Premier to the state government’s plan to pay public servants to attend the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ politically motivated industrial relations rally at the Perth Cultural Centre tomorrow. (1) Does the Premier concede that under the Howard government’s proposed use of the Corporations Law to reform our industrial relations system, no state government employees will be affected by these changes unless they work for a government corporation such as Western Power or the Water Corporation? (2) If so, why is he paying people who will not even be affected by the new laws to attend that rally? Several opposition members: Hear, hear! Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the Opposition that, firstly, every person in Western Australia will be affected by the attempt by the commonwealth government to take over the obligation of this Parliament to pass laws to protect the working conditions of people throughout this state. Everyone will be affected by that. Secondly, 40 per cent of public sector workers in Western Australia are covered by federal awards. Does the Leader of the Opposition know why? In the 1990s, when the Liberal party was in office in this state, public sector worker after public sector worker wanted to move across to the federal system because it provided more protection at that time in light of the oppressive system that the Liberal Party created in this state. Thirdly, our public servants do a magnificent job of providing services throughout Western Australia. I trust our public servants. I know that the public service of Western Australia will continue tomorrow and, at the same time, individual Western Australians will have their chance to have their say about this legislation. The Leader of the Opposition can hide all he likes on these issues. However, the federal government will understand only one message. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
(1) Does the Premier concede that under the Howard government’s proposed use of the Corporations Law to reform our industrial relations system, no state government employees will be affected by these changes unless they work for a government corporation such as Western Power or the Water Corporation? (2) If so, why is he paying people who will not even be affected by the new laws to attend that rally? Several opposition members: Hear, hear! Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the Opposition that, firstly, every person in Western Australia will be affected by the attempt by the commonwealth government to take over the obligation of this Parliament to pass laws to protect the working conditions of people throughout this state. Everyone will be affected by that. Secondly, 40 per cent of public sector workers in Western Australia are covered by federal awards. Does the Leader of the Opposition know why? In the 1990s, when the Liberal party was in office in this state, public sector worker after public sector worker wanted to move across to the federal system because it provided more protection at that time in light of the oppressive system that the Liberal Party created in this state. Thirdly, our public servants do a magnificent job of providing services throughout Western Australia. I trust our public servants. I know that the public service of Western Australia will continue tomorrow and, at the same time, individual Western Australians will have their chance to have their say about this legislation. The Leader of the Opposition can hide all he likes on these issues. However, the federal government will understand only one message. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
(2) If so, why is he paying people who will not even be affected by the new laws to attend that rally? Several opposition members: Hear, hear! Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the Opposition that, firstly, every person in Western Australia will be affected by the attempt by the commonwealth government to take over the obligation of this Parliament to pass laws to protect the working conditions of people throughout this state. Everyone will be affected by that. Secondly, 40 per cent of public sector workers in Western Australia are covered by federal awards. Does the Leader of the Opposition know why? In the 1990s, when the Liberal party was in office in this state, public sector worker after public sector worker wanted to move across to the federal system because it provided more protection at that time in light of the oppressive system that the Liberal Party created in this state. Thirdly, our public servants do a magnificent job of providing services throughout Western Australia. I trust our public servants. I know that the public service of Western Australia will continue tomorrow and, at the same time, individual Western Australians will have their chance to have their say about this legislation. The Leader of the Opposition can hide all he likes on these issues. However, the federal government will understand only one message. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
Several opposition members: Hear, hear! Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the Opposition that, firstly, every person in Western Australia will be affected by the attempt by the commonwealth government to take over the obligation of this Parliament to pass laws to protect the working conditions of people throughout this state. Everyone will be affected by that. Secondly, 40 per cent of public sector workers in Western Australia are covered by federal awards. Does the Leader of the Opposition know why? In the 1990s, when the Liberal party was in office in this state, public sector worker after public sector worker wanted to move across to the federal system because it provided more protection at that time in light of the oppressive system that the Liberal Party created in this state. Thirdly, our public servants do a magnificent job of providing services throughout Western Australia. I trust our public servants. I know that the public service of Western Australia will continue tomorrow and, at the same time, individual Western Australians will have their chance to have their say about this legislation. The Leader of the Opposition can hide all he likes on these issues. However, the federal government will understand only one message. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the Opposition that, firstly, every person in Western Australia will be affected by the attempt by the commonwealth government to take over the obligation of this Parliament to pass laws to protect the working conditions of people throughout this state. Everyone will be affected by that. Secondly, 40 per cent of public sector workers in Western Australia are covered by federal awards. Does the Leader of the Opposition know why? In the 1990s, when the Liberal party was in office in this state, public sector worker after public sector worker wanted to move across to the federal system because it provided more protection at that time in light of the oppressive system that the Liberal Party created in this state. Thirdly, our public servants do a magnificent job of providing services throughout Western Australia. I trust our public servants. I know that the public service of Western Australia will continue tomorrow and, at the same time, individual Western Australians will have their chance to have their say about this legislation. The Leader of the Opposition can hide all he likes on these issues. However, the federal government will understand only one message. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
(1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the Opposition that, firstly, every person in Western Australia will be affected by the attempt by the commonwealth government to take over the obligation of this Parliament to pass laws to protect the working conditions of people throughout this state. Everyone will be affected by that. Secondly, 40 per cent of public sector workers in Western Australia are covered by federal awards. Does the Leader of the Opposition know why? In the 1990s, when the Liberal party was in office in this state, public sector worker after public sector worker wanted to move across to the federal system because it provided more protection at that time in light of the oppressive system that the Liberal Party created in this state. Thirdly, our public servants do a magnificent job of providing services throughout Western Australia. I trust our public servants. I know that the public service of Western Australia will continue tomorrow and, at the same time, individual Western Australians will have their chance to have their say about this legislation. The Leader of the Opposition can hide all he likes on these issues. However, the federal government will understand only one message. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
(1) Does the Premier concede that under the Howard government’s proposed use of the Corporations Law to reform our industrial relations system, no state government employees will be affected by these changes unless they work for a government corporation such as Western Power or the Water Corporation? (2) If so, why is he paying people who will not even be affected by the new laws to attend that rally? Several opposition members: Hear, hear! Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the Opposition that, firstly, every person in Western Australia will be affected by the attempt by the commonwealth government to take over the obligation of this Parliament to pass laws to protect the working conditions of people throughout this state. Everyone will be affected by that. Secondly, 40 per cent of public sector workers in Western Australia are covered by federal awards. Does the Leader of the Opposition know why? In the 1990s, when the Liberal party was in office in this state, public sector worker after public sector worker wanted to move across to the federal system because it provided more protection at that time in light of the oppressive system that the Liberal Party created in this state. Thirdly, our public servants do a magnificent job of providing services throughout Western Australia. I trust our public servants. I know that the public service of Western Australia will continue tomorrow and, at the same time, individual Western Australians will have their chance to have their say about this legislation. The Leader of the Opposition can hide all he likes on these issues. However, the federal government will understand only one message. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
(2) If so, why is he paying people who will not even be affected by the new laws to attend that rally? Several opposition members: Hear, hear! Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the Opposition that, firstly, every person in Western Australia will be affected by the attempt by the commonwealth government to take over the obligation of this Parliament to pass laws to protect the working conditions of people throughout this state. Everyone will be affected by that. Secondly, 40 per cent of public sector workers in Western Australia are covered by federal awards. Does the Leader of the Opposition know why? In the 1990s, when the Liberal party was in office in this state, public sector worker after public sector worker wanted to move across to the federal system because it provided more protection at that time in light of the oppressive system that the Liberal Party created in this state. Thirdly, our public servants do a magnificent job of providing services throughout Western Australia. I trust our public servants. I know that the public service of Western Australia will continue tomorrow and, at the same time, individual Western Australians will have their chance to have their say about this legislation. The Leader of the Opposition can hide all he likes on these issues. However, the federal government will understand only one message. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
Several opposition members: Hear, hear! Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the Opposition that, firstly, every person in Western Australia will be affected by the attempt by the commonwealth government to take over the obligation of this Parliament to pass laws to protect the working conditions of people throughout this state. Everyone will be affected by that. Secondly, 40 per cent of public sector workers in Western Australia are covered by federal awards. Does the Leader of the Opposition know why? In the 1990s, when the Liberal party was in office in this state, public sector worker after public sector worker wanted to move across to the federal system because it provided more protection at that time in light of the oppressive system that the Liberal Party created in this state. Thirdly, our public servants do a magnificent job of providing services throughout Western Australia. I trust our public servants. I know that the public service of Western Australia will continue tomorrow and, at the same time, individual Western Australians will have their chance to have their say about this legislation. The Leader of the Opposition can hide all he likes on these issues. However, the federal government will understand only one message. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the Opposition that, firstly, every person in Western Australia will be affected by the attempt by the commonwealth government to take over the obligation of this Parliament to pass laws to protect the working conditions of people throughout this state. Everyone will be affected by that. Secondly, 40 per cent of public sector workers in Western Australia are covered by federal awards. Does the Leader of the Opposition know why? In the 1990s, when the Liberal party was in office in this state, public sector worker after public sector worker wanted to move across to the federal system because it provided more protection at that time in light of the oppressive system that the Liberal Party created in this state. Thirdly, our public servants do a magnificent job of providing services throughout Western Australia. I trust our public servants. I know that the public service of Western Australia will continue tomorrow and, at the same time, individual Western Australians will have their chance to have their say about this legislation. The Leader of the Opposition can hide all he likes on these issues. However, the federal government will understand only one message. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
(1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the Opposition that, firstly, every person in Western Australia will be affected by the attempt by the commonwealth government to take over the obligation of this Parliament to pass laws to protect the working conditions of people throughout this state. Everyone will be affected by that. Secondly, 40 per cent of public sector workers in Western Australia are covered by federal awards. Does the Leader of the Opposition know why? In the 1990s, when the Liberal party was in office in this state, public sector worker after public sector worker wanted to move across to the federal system because it provided more protection at that time in light of the oppressive system that the Liberal Party created in this state. Thirdly, our public servants do a magnificent job of providing services throughout Western Australia. I trust our public servants. I know that the public service of Western Australia will continue tomorrow and, at the same time, individual Western Australians will have their chance to have their say about this legislation. The Leader of the Opposition can hide all he likes on these issues. However, the federal government will understand only one message. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time. Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
Dr G.I. GALLOP : That message is the clear opinion of the Western Australian people that the federal government’s proposed industrial relations legislation is wrong and unfair and will impose upon our state - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Moore. Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
Dr G.I. GALLOP : The legislation would impose on our state a system that goes against centuries of important work undertaken throughout Australia to establish an important principle: the relationship between an employer and an employee should be based on fairness, and not be controlled by the employer. That is the simple principle we are talking about, and everyone on this side of the house will fight for that principle.
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