❓ Mr Logan questions the Minister for Commerce about funding for the Employment Law Centre, given its reliance by vulnerable workers and referrals from state agencies. Mr Buswell commits to funding for the next financial year and seeks Commonwealth co-funding.
AnsweredQoN 298Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
EMPLOYMENT LAW CENTRE
Given that 58 per cent of the Employment Law Centre’s clients are referred directly from state government agencies such as Legal Aid, and given that around 4 000 of the state’s most vulnerable employees rely on this service — (1) Will the minister commit to fund this centre in the 2009-10 budget and in forward estimate years? (2) If not, is the state government prepared to see this vital service close its doors? (3) In the event that the Employment Law Centre closes its doors, what is the minister’s plan for supporting 4 000 of the state’s most vulnerable workers who rely on this service? Mr T.R. BUSWELL
Given that 58 per cent of the Employment Law Centre’s clients are referred directly from state government agencies such as Legal Aid, and given that around 4 000 of the state’s most vulnerable employees rely on this service — (1) Will the minister commit to fund this centre in the 2009-10 budget and in forward estimate years? (2) If not, is the state government prepared to see this vital service close its doors? (3) In the event that the Employment Law Centre closes its doors, what is the minister’s plan for supporting 4 000 of the state’s most vulnerable workers who rely on this service? Mr T.R. BUSWELL
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) It is a very good question. I thank the member for that. The Employment Law Centre plays a very important role. The Employment Law Centre—as the name indicates—provides legal advice to people in Western Australia on matters regarding various aspects of their employment. In many ways it works hand-in-glove with the state’s wage line service, whereby people ring in when they have an issue over pay or other conditions in the workplace. When the staff of the Department of Commerce cannot provide advice, they are referred to the Employment Law Centre. I think the centre does a great job. If it did not exist, there would be a significant increase in cost to the state to provide the same service. The government intends to provide funding for the employment Law Centre for the next financial year. During the coming year, we will enter into negotiations with the commonwealth to see whether it is prepared to co-fund the Employment Law Centre, because, as I said in my introductory comments—and it is very rare that I agree with the member for Cockburn, but he is right—the centre plays a very valuable role. The commonwealth should accept some responsibility for funding some of the costs of the Employment Law Centre, because the centre deals with a large number of issues concerning the federal industrial relations system. Therefore, that is — Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
(1) Will the minister commit to fund this centre in the 2009-10 budget and in forward estimate years? (2) If not, is the state government prepared to see this vital service close its doors? (3) In the event that the Employment Law Centre closes its doors, what is the minister’s plan for supporting 4 000 of the state’s most vulnerable workers who rely on this service? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)-(3) It is a very good question. I thank the member for that. The Employment Law Centre plays a very important role. The Employment Law Centre—as the name indicates—provides legal advice to people in Western Australia on matters regarding various aspects of their employment. In many ways it works hand-in-glove with the state’s wage line service, whereby people ring in when they have an issue over pay or other conditions in the workplace. When the staff of the Department of Commerce cannot provide advice, they are referred to the Employment Law Centre. I think the centre does a great job. If it did not exist, there would be a significant increase in cost to the state to provide the same service. The government intends to provide funding for the employment Law Centre for the next financial year. During the coming year, we will enter into negotiations with the commonwealth to see whether it is prepared to co-fund the Employment Law Centre, because, as I said in my introductory comments—and it is very rare that I agree with the member for Cockburn, but he is right—the centre plays a very valuable role. The commonwealth should accept some responsibility for funding some of the costs of the Employment Law Centre, because the centre deals with a large number of issues concerning the federal industrial relations system. Therefore, that is — Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
(2) If not, is the state government prepared to see this vital service close its doors? (3) In the event that the Employment Law Centre closes its doors, what is the minister’s plan for supporting 4 000 of the state’s most vulnerable workers who rely on this service? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)-(3) It is a very good question. I thank the member for that. The Employment Law Centre plays a very important role. The Employment Law Centre—as the name indicates—provides legal advice to people in Western Australia on matters regarding various aspects of their employment. In many ways it works hand-in-glove with the state’s wage line service, whereby people ring in when they have an issue over pay or other conditions in the workplace. When the staff of the Department of Commerce cannot provide advice, they are referred to the Employment Law Centre. I think the centre does a great job. If it did not exist, there would be a significant increase in cost to the state to provide the same service. The government intends to provide funding for the employment Law Centre for the next financial year. During the coming year, we will enter into negotiations with the commonwealth to see whether it is prepared to co-fund the Employment Law Centre, because, as I said in my introductory comments—and it is very rare that I agree with the member for Cockburn, but he is right—the centre plays a very valuable role. The commonwealth should accept some responsibility for funding some of the costs of the Employment Law Centre, because the centre deals with a large number of issues concerning the federal industrial relations system. Therefore, that is — Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
(3) In the event that the Employment Law Centre closes its doors, what is the minister’s plan for supporting 4 000 of the state’s most vulnerable workers who rely on this service? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)-(3) It is a very good question. I thank the member for that. The Employment Law Centre plays a very important role. The Employment Law Centre—as the name indicates—provides legal advice to people in Western Australia on matters regarding various aspects of their employment. In many ways it works hand-in-glove with the state’s wage line service, whereby people ring in when they have an issue over pay or other conditions in the workplace. When the staff of the Department of Commerce cannot provide advice, they are referred to the Employment Law Centre. I think the centre does a great job. If it did not exist, there would be a significant increase in cost to the state to provide the same service. The government intends to provide funding for the employment Law Centre for the next financial year. During the coming year, we will enter into negotiations with the commonwealth to see whether it is prepared to co-fund the Employment Law Centre, because, as I said in my introductory comments—and it is very rare that I agree with the member for Cockburn, but he is right—the centre plays a very valuable role. The commonwealth should accept some responsibility for funding some of the costs of the Employment Law Centre, because the centre deals with a large number of issues concerning the federal industrial relations system. Therefore, that is — Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)-(3) It is a very good question. I thank the member for that. The Employment Law Centre plays a very important role. The Employment Law Centre—as the name indicates—provides legal advice to people in Western Australia on matters regarding various aspects of their employment. In many ways it works hand-in-glove with the state’s wage line service, whereby people ring in when they have an issue over pay or other conditions in the workplace. When the staff of the Department of Commerce cannot provide advice, they are referred to the Employment Law Centre. I think the centre does a great job. If it did not exist, there would be a significant increase in cost to the state to provide the same service. The government intends to provide funding for the employment Law Centre for the next financial year. During the coming year, we will enter into negotiations with the commonwealth to see whether it is prepared to co-fund the Employment Law Centre, because, as I said in my introductory comments—and it is very rare that I agree with the member for Cockburn, but he is right—the centre plays a very valuable role. The commonwealth should accept some responsibility for funding some of the costs of the Employment Law Centre, because the centre deals with a large number of issues concerning the federal industrial relations system. Therefore, that is — Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
(1)-(3) It is a very good question. I thank the member for that. The Employment Law Centre plays a very important role. The Employment Law Centre—as the name indicates—provides legal advice to people in Western Australia on matters regarding various aspects of their employment. In many ways it works hand-in-glove with the state’s wage line service, whereby people ring in when they have an issue over pay or other conditions in the workplace. When the staff of the Department of Commerce cannot provide advice, they are referred to the Employment Law Centre. I think the centre does a great job. If it did not exist, there would be a significant increase in cost to the state to provide the same service. The government intends to provide funding for the employment Law Centre for the next financial year. During the coming year, we will enter into negotiations with the commonwealth to see whether it is prepared to co-fund the Employment Law Centre, because, as I said in my introductory comments—and it is very rare that I agree with the member for Cockburn, but he is right—the centre plays a very valuable role. The commonwealth should accept some responsibility for funding some of the costs of the Employment Law Centre, because the centre deals with a large number of issues concerning the federal industrial relations system. Therefore, that is — Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
I think the centre does a great job. If it did not exist, there would be a significant increase in cost to the state to provide the same service. The government intends to provide funding for the employment Law Centre for the next financial year. During the coming year, we will enter into negotiations with the commonwealth to see whether it is prepared to co-fund the Employment Law Centre, because, as I said in my introductory comments—and it is very rare that I agree with the member for Cockburn, but he is right—the centre plays a very valuable role. The commonwealth should accept some responsibility for funding some of the costs of the Employment Law Centre, because the centre deals with a large number of issues concerning the federal industrial relations system. Therefore, that is — Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
(1) Will the minister commit to fund this centre in the 2009-10 budget and in forward estimate years? (2) If not, is the state government prepared to see this vital service close its doors? (3) In the event that the Employment Law Centre closes its doors, what is the minister’s plan for supporting 4 000 of the state’s most vulnerable workers who rely on this service? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)-(3) It is a very good question. I thank the member for that. The Employment Law Centre plays a very important role. The Employment Law Centre—as the name indicates—provides legal advice to people in Western Australia on matters regarding various aspects of their employment. In many ways it works hand-in-glove with the state’s wage line service, whereby people ring in when they have an issue over pay or other conditions in the workplace. When the staff of the Department of Commerce cannot provide advice, they are referred to the Employment Law Centre. I think the centre does a great job. If it did not exist, there would be a significant increase in cost to the state to provide the same service. The government intends to provide funding for the employment Law Centre for the next financial year. During the coming year, we will enter into negotiations with the commonwealth to see whether it is prepared to co-fund the Employment Law Centre, because, as I said in my introductory comments—and it is very rare that I agree with the member for Cockburn, but he is right—the centre plays a very valuable role. The commonwealth should accept some responsibility for funding some of the costs of the Employment Law Centre, because the centre deals with a large number of issues concerning the federal industrial relations system. Therefore, that is — Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
(2) If not, is the state government prepared to see this vital service close its doors? (3) In the event that the Employment Law Centre closes its doors, what is the minister’s plan for supporting 4 000 of the state’s most vulnerable workers who rely on this service? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)-(3) It is a very good question. I thank the member for that. The Employment Law Centre plays a very important role. The Employment Law Centre—as the name indicates—provides legal advice to people in Western Australia on matters regarding various aspects of their employment. In many ways it works hand-in-glove with the state’s wage line service, whereby people ring in when they have an issue over pay or other conditions in the workplace. When the staff of the Department of Commerce cannot provide advice, they are referred to the Employment Law Centre. I think the centre does a great job. If it did not exist, there would be a significant increase in cost to the state to provide the same service. The government intends to provide funding for the employment Law Centre for the next financial year. During the coming year, we will enter into negotiations with the commonwealth to see whether it is prepared to co-fund the Employment Law Centre, because, as I said in my introductory comments—and it is very rare that I agree with the member for Cockburn, but he is right—the centre plays a very valuable role. The commonwealth should accept some responsibility for funding some of the costs of the Employment Law Centre, because the centre deals with a large number of issues concerning the federal industrial relations system. Therefore, that is — Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
(3) In the event that the Employment Law Centre closes its doors, what is the minister’s plan for supporting 4 000 of the state’s most vulnerable workers who rely on this service? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)-(3) It is a very good question. I thank the member for that. The Employment Law Centre plays a very important role. The Employment Law Centre—as the name indicates—provides legal advice to people in Western Australia on matters regarding various aspects of their employment. In many ways it works hand-in-glove with the state’s wage line service, whereby people ring in when they have an issue over pay or other conditions in the workplace. When the staff of the Department of Commerce cannot provide advice, they are referred to the Employment Law Centre. I think the centre does a great job. If it did not exist, there would be a significant increase in cost to the state to provide the same service. The government intends to provide funding for the employment Law Centre for the next financial year. During the coming year, we will enter into negotiations with the commonwealth to see whether it is prepared to co-fund the Employment Law Centre, because, as I said in my introductory comments—and it is very rare that I agree with the member for Cockburn, but he is right—the centre plays a very valuable role. The commonwealth should accept some responsibility for funding some of the costs of the Employment Law Centre, because the centre deals with a large number of issues concerning the federal industrial relations system. Therefore, that is — Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: (1)-(3) It is a very good question. I thank the member for that. The Employment Law Centre plays a very important role. The Employment Law Centre—as the name indicates—provides legal advice to people in Western Australia on matters regarding various aspects of their employment. In many ways it works hand-in-glove with the state’s wage line service, whereby people ring in when they have an issue over pay or other conditions in the workplace. When the staff of the Department of Commerce cannot provide advice, they are referred to the Employment Law Centre. I think the centre does a great job. If it did not exist, there would be a significant increase in cost to the state to provide the same service. The government intends to provide funding for the employment Law Centre for the next financial year. During the coming year, we will enter into negotiations with the commonwealth to see whether it is prepared to co-fund the Employment Law Centre, because, as I said in my introductory comments—and it is very rare that I agree with the member for Cockburn, but he is right—the centre plays a very valuable role. The commonwealth should accept some responsibility for funding some of the costs of the Employment Law Centre, because the centre deals with a large number of issues concerning the federal industrial relations system. Therefore, that is — Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
(1)-(3) It is a very good question. I thank the member for that. The Employment Law Centre plays a very important role. The Employment Law Centre—as the name indicates—provides legal advice to people in Western Australia on matters regarding various aspects of their employment. In many ways it works hand-in-glove with the state’s wage line service, whereby people ring in when they have an issue over pay or other conditions in the workplace. When the staff of the Department of Commerce cannot provide advice, they are referred to the Employment Law Centre. I think the centre does a great job. If it did not exist, there would be a significant increase in cost to the state to provide the same service. The government intends to provide funding for the employment Law Centre for the next financial year. During the coming year, we will enter into negotiations with the commonwealth to see whether it is prepared to co-fund the Employment Law Centre, because, as I said in my introductory comments—and it is very rare that I agree with the member for Cockburn, but he is right—the centre plays a very valuable role. The commonwealth should accept some responsibility for funding some of the costs of the Employment Law Centre, because the centre deals with a large number of issues concerning the federal industrial relations system. Therefore, that is — Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
I think the centre does a great job. If it did not exist, there would be a significant increase in cost to the state to provide the same service. The government intends to provide funding for the employment Law Centre for the next financial year. During the coming year, we will enter into negotiations with the commonwealth to see whether it is prepared to co-fund the Employment Law Centre, because, as I said in my introductory comments—and it is very rare that I agree with the member for Cockburn, but he is right—the centre plays a very valuable role. The commonwealth should accept some responsibility for funding some of the costs of the Employment Law Centre, because the centre deals with a large number of issues concerning the federal industrial relations system. Therefore, that is — Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
Mr F.M. Logan : I have written to the federal government, as well. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I really appreciate the fact that the member has written to them; I am sure that they will be quaking in their boots as they prepare their answer. Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
Mr F.M. Logan : I’ve written to them asking the same as what you are doing. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : We will enter into formal negotiations and we will indicate the member’s very strong support. I think it is fair to say that the Employment Law Centre would have bipartisan support in Western Australia because it does an important job, particularly at a time when people are nervous in the workplace.
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