❓ Question regarding government funding to ACTU for union training, Minister defends the decision, highlighting benefits for workers and employers under WorkChoices.
AnsweredQoN 264Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF TRADE UNIONS - BUDGET ALLOCATION
I refer to the government’s decision to give $1.5 million of taxpayers’ money to the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ trade union education foundation trust and a press release issued by the ACTU on 22 November 2001 that states that the foundation will build on the successes of the ACTU Organising Centre and aims to establish training centres in every state to develop a strong organisation base for future union growth. (1) How can the minister justify the government giving $1.5 million of taxpayers’ money to a foundation that is run by the ACTU with the objective of increasing union membership? (2) What was the public interest case that the government prepared and assented to to justify this blatant misuse of public funds, and will the minister table the relevant documents? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER
I refer to the government’s decision to give $1.5 million of taxpayers’ money to the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ trade union education foundation trust and a press release issued by the ACTU on 22 November 2001 that states that the foundation will build on the successes of the ACTU Organising Centre and aims to establish training centres in every state to develop a strong organisation base for future union growth. (1) How can the minister justify the government giving $1.5 million of taxpayers’ money to a foundation that is run by the ACTU with the objective of increasing union membership? (2) What was the public interest case that the government prepared and assented to to justify this blatant misuse of public funds, and will the minister table the relevant documents? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) In answer to the member’s question, we are proud of that fact. All states have given the same sort of funding to the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ campaign; Western Australia is the last state to do so. The campaign is aimed at making sure that unionists in Australia - Western Australia in our case - are well versed and well trained to ensure that when they negotiate agreements, they include the correct conditions for all Western Australian workers. This training will ensure that agreements under the federal Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
(1) How can the minister justify the government giving $1.5 million of taxpayers’ money to a foundation that is run by the ACTU with the objective of increasing union membership? (2) What was the public interest case that the government prepared and assented to to justify this blatant misuse of public funds, and will the minister table the relevant documents? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(2) In answer to the member’s question, we are proud of that fact. All states have given the same sort of funding to the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ campaign; Western Australia is the last state to do so. The campaign is aimed at making sure that unionists in Australia - Western Australia in our case - are well versed and well trained to ensure that when they negotiate agreements, they include the correct conditions for all Western Australian workers. This training will ensure that agreements under the federal Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
(2) What was the public interest case that the government prepared and assented to to justify this blatant misuse of public funds, and will the minister table the relevant documents? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(2) In answer to the member’s question, we are proud of that fact. All states have given the same sort of funding to the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ campaign; Western Australia is the last state to do so. The campaign is aimed at making sure that unionists in Australia - Western Australia in our case - are well versed and well trained to ensure that when they negotiate agreements, they include the correct conditions for all Western Australian workers. This training will ensure that agreements under the federal Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(2) In answer to the member’s question, we are proud of that fact. All states have given the same sort of funding to the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ campaign; Western Australia is the last state to do so. The campaign is aimed at making sure that unionists in Australia - Western Australia in our case - are well versed and well trained to ensure that when they negotiate agreements, they include the correct conditions for all Western Australian workers. This training will ensure that agreements under the federal Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
(1)-(2) In answer to the member’s question, we are proud of that fact. All states have given the same sort of funding to the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ campaign; Western Australia is the last state to do so. The campaign is aimed at making sure that unionists in Australia - Western Australia in our case - are well versed and well trained to ensure that when they negotiate agreements, they include the correct conditions for all Western Australian workers. This training will ensure that agreements under the federal Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
(1) How can the minister justify the government giving $1.5 million of taxpayers’ money to a foundation that is run by the ACTU with the objective of increasing union membership? (2) What was the public interest case that the government prepared and assented to to justify this blatant misuse of public funds, and will the minister table the relevant documents? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(2) In answer to the member’s question, we are proud of that fact. All states have given the same sort of funding to the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ campaign; Western Australia is the last state to do so. The campaign is aimed at making sure that unionists in Australia - Western Australia in our case - are well versed and well trained to ensure that when they negotiate agreements, they include the correct conditions for all Western Australian workers. This training will ensure that agreements under the federal Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
(2) What was the public interest case that the government prepared and assented to to justify this blatant misuse of public funds, and will the minister table the relevant documents? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(2) In answer to the member’s question, we are proud of that fact. All states have given the same sort of funding to the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ campaign; Western Australia is the last state to do so. The campaign is aimed at making sure that unionists in Australia - Western Australia in our case - are well versed and well trained to ensure that when they negotiate agreements, they include the correct conditions for all Western Australian workers. This training will ensure that agreements under the federal Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(2) In answer to the member’s question, we are proud of that fact. All states have given the same sort of funding to the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ campaign; Western Australia is the last state to do so. The campaign is aimed at making sure that unionists in Australia - Western Australia in our case - are well versed and well trained to ensure that when they negotiate agreements, they include the correct conditions for all Western Australian workers. This training will ensure that agreements under the federal Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
(1)-(2) In answer to the member’s question, we are proud of that fact. All states have given the same sort of funding to the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ campaign; Western Australia is the last state to do so. The campaign is aimed at making sure that unionists in Australia - Western Australia in our case - are well versed and well trained to ensure that when they negotiate agreements, they include the correct conditions for all Western Australian workers. This training will ensure that agreements under the federal Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : Under the WorkChoices system the federal government wants to make sure that agreements between individuals and companies are negotiated. The government is, therefore, making sure that the individuals representing workers are well trained. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER : There is nothing wrong with that. It is all about making sure that both sides are well trained and well educated in the process to ensure not only that agreements are good for workers but also that companies and employers are not putting into agreements conditions that will later come back to bite them. That is why chambers of commerce in other states have welcomed this funding. I suggest that the member find out what the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe and Vasse!
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