❓ Question regarding finalisation of school bus contracts, contractor access to the contract, and request for independent arbitration. Minister defends the government's handling of the issue, citing improvements and ongoing negotiations.
AnsweredQoN 782Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to her media statement of 6 June regarding negotiations with school bus contractors, which in part states - Now that the contract has been finalised, we are asking these owners to replace their buses and decide whether to sign the contract offered . . . (1) Has the minister forwarded the finalised contract to school bus industry groups for their comment? (2) If not, why is she demanding that contractors agree to the terms and conditions of a contract they have not been able to peruse? (3) Given that 60 school buses are operating out of life-of-bus contracts as a result of this dispute, which has now been running for over two years, will the minister agree to appoint an independent arbitrator to resolve the matter? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) No, we will not appoint an independent arbitrator. The feedback from the industry is that the operators are by and large satisfied that, after four years, we have finally reached a resolution of this matter. Mr C.J. Barnett: You said that two years ago. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: For many years, the member’s Government was simply unable to deal with this problem. Further, we inherited a mess. Clear records were not kept. The Government was paying for garaging but had no knowledge of who had garages. There were no reliable records of the distances that were covered by each bus operator. We sorted out that administrative mess. We then sat down with the industry representatives and negotiated an outcome. It is absolutely true that many of the industry operators want more. People always want more. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
(2) If not, why is she demanding that contractors agree to the terms and conditions of a contract they have not been able to peruse? (3) Given that 60 school buses are operating out of life-of-bus contracts as a result of this dispute, which has now been running for over two years, will the minister agree to appoint an independent arbitrator to resolve the matter? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(3) No, we will not appoint an independent arbitrator. The feedback from the industry is that the operators are by and large satisfied that, after four years, we have finally reached a resolution of this matter. Mr C.J. Barnett: You said that two years ago. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: For many years, the member’s Government was simply unable to deal with this problem. Further, we inherited a mess. Clear records were not kept. The Government was paying for garaging but had no knowledge of who had garages. There were no reliable records of the distances that were covered by each bus operator. We sorted out that administrative mess. We then sat down with the industry representatives and negotiated an outcome. It is absolutely true that many of the industry operators want more. People always want more. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
(3) Given that 60 school buses are operating out of life-of-bus contracts as a result of this dispute, which has now been running for over two years, will the minister agree to appoint an independent arbitrator to resolve the matter? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(3) No, we will not appoint an independent arbitrator. The feedback from the industry is that the operators are by and large satisfied that, after four years, we have finally reached a resolution of this matter. Mr C.J. Barnett: You said that two years ago. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: For many years, the member’s Government was simply unable to deal with this problem. Further, we inherited a mess. Clear records were not kept. The Government was paying for garaging but had no knowledge of who had garages. There were no reliable records of the distances that were covered by each bus operator. We sorted out that administrative mess. We then sat down with the industry representatives and negotiated an outcome. It is absolutely true that many of the industry operators want more. People always want more. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(3) No, we will not appoint an independent arbitrator. The feedback from the industry is that the operators are by and large satisfied that, after four years, we have finally reached a resolution of this matter. Mr C.J. Barnett: You said that two years ago. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: For many years, the member’s Government was simply unable to deal with this problem. Further, we inherited a mess. Clear records were not kept. The Government was paying for garaging but had no knowledge of who had garages. There were no reliable records of the distances that were covered by each bus operator. We sorted out that administrative mess. We then sat down with the industry representatives and negotiated an outcome. It is absolutely true that many of the industry operators want more. People always want more. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
(1)-(3) No, we will not appoint an independent arbitrator. The feedback from the industry is that the operators are by and large satisfied that, after four years, we have finally reached a resolution of this matter. Mr C.J. Barnett: You said that two years ago. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: For many years, the member’s Government was simply unable to deal with this problem. Further, we inherited a mess. Clear records were not kept. The Government was paying for garaging but had no knowledge of who had garages. There were no reliable records of the distances that were covered by each bus operator. We sorted out that administrative mess. We then sat down with the industry representatives and negotiated an outcome. It is absolutely true that many of the industry operators want more. People always want more. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Mr C.J. Barnett: You said that two years ago. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: For many years, the member’s Government was simply unable to deal with this problem. Further, we inherited a mess. Clear records were not kept. The Government was paying for garaging but had no knowledge of who had garages. There were no reliable records of the distances that were covered by each bus operator. We sorted out that administrative mess. We then sat down with the industry representatives and negotiated an outcome. It is absolutely true that many of the industry operators want more. People always want more. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: For many years, the member’s Government was simply unable to deal with this problem. Further, we inherited a mess. Clear records were not kept. The Government was paying for garaging but had no knowledge of who had garages. There were no reliable records of the distances that were covered by each bus operator. We sorted out that administrative mess. We then sat down with the industry representatives and negotiated an outcome. It is absolutely true that many of the industry operators want more. People always want more. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
(2) If not, why is she demanding that contractors agree to the terms and conditions of a contract they have not been able to peruse? (3) Given that 60 school buses are operating out of life-of-bus contracts as a result of this dispute, which has now been running for over two years, will the minister agree to appoint an independent arbitrator to resolve the matter? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(3) No, we will not appoint an independent arbitrator. The feedback from the industry is that the operators are by and large satisfied that, after four years, we have finally reached a resolution of this matter. Mr C.J. Barnett: You said that two years ago. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: For many years, the member’s Government was simply unable to deal with this problem. Further, we inherited a mess. Clear records were not kept. The Government was paying for garaging but had no knowledge of who had garages. There were no reliable records of the distances that were covered by each bus operator. We sorted out that administrative mess. We then sat down with the industry representatives and negotiated an outcome. It is absolutely true that many of the industry operators want more. People always want more. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
(3) Given that 60 school buses are operating out of life-of-bus contracts as a result of this dispute, which has now been running for over two years, will the minister agree to appoint an independent arbitrator to resolve the matter? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(3) No, we will not appoint an independent arbitrator. The feedback from the industry is that the operators are by and large satisfied that, after four years, we have finally reached a resolution of this matter. Mr C.J. Barnett: You said that two years ago. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: For many years, the member’s Government was simply unable to deal with this problem. Further, we inherited a mess. Clear records were not kept. The Government was paying for garaging but had no knowledge of who had garages. There were no reliable records of the distances that were covered by each bus operator. We sorted out that administrative mess. We then sat down with the industry representatives and negotiated an outcome. It is absolutely true that many of the industry operators want more. People always want more. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(3) No, we will not appoint an independent arbitrator. The feedback from the industry is that the operators are by and large satisfied that, after four years, we have finally reached a resolution of this matter. Mr C.J. Barnett: You said that two years ago. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: For many years, the member’s Government was simply unable to deal with this problem. Further, we inherited a mess. Clear records were not kept. The Government was paying for garaging but had no knowledge of who had garages. There were no reliable records of the distances that were covered by each bus operator. We sorted out that administrative mess. We then sat down with the industry representatives and negotiated an outcome. It is absolutely true that many of the industry operators want more. People always want more. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
(1)-(3) No, we will not appoint an independent arbitrator. The feedback from the industry is that the operators are by and large satisfied that, after four years, we have finally reached a resolution of this matter. Mr C.J. Barnett: You said that two years ago. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: For many years, the member’s Government was simply unable to deal with this problem. Further, we inherited a mess. Clear records were not kept. The Government was paying for garaging but had no knowledge of who had garages. There were no reliable records of the distances that were covered by each bus operator. We sorted out that administrative mess. We then sat down with the industry representatives and negotiated an outcome. It is absolutely true that many of the industry operators want more. People always want more. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Mr C.J. Barnett: You said that two years ago. Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: For many years, the member’s Government was simply unable to deal with this problem. Further, we inherited a mess. Clear records were not kept. The Government was paying for garaging but had no knowledge of who had garages. There were no reliable records of the distances that were covered by each bus operator. We sorted out that administrative mess. We then sat down with the industry representatives and negotiated an outcome. It is absolutely true that many of the industry operators want more. People always want more. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: For many years, the member’s Government was simply unable to deal with this problem. Further, we inherited a mess. Clear records were not kept. The Government was paying for garaging but had no knowledge of who had garages. There were no reliable records of the distances that were covered by each bus operator. We sorted out that administrative mess. We then sat down with the industry representatives and negotiated an outcome. It is absolutely true that many of the industry operators want more. People always want more. Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Ms K. Hodson-Thomas: Have they seen the final draft? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: There are two separate issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Mr C.J. Barnett: Sh, everyone is asleep over there. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN: What a dork. He is the star-jump kid. They are all doing star jumps in the back. It is Colin and the star jumps. There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
There are two aspects to this. The first is the remuneration package, which is what most engages the operators. Operators have been sent details of the remuneration package they would receive and a comparison of that package with the remuneration they receive under the standard rate model. The operators have also seen various drafts of the contract that will underlie that. We have told the operators that we want an in-principle response by the end of the month. They basically know what is in the contract, but because the industry wanted us to refine some points, the final draft of the non-remuneration parts of that contract may not be ready by the end of the month. We have told the operators that if they agree to the remuneration package and then find that the text of the contract is different from what they had expected or unacceptable, they have the right to vitiate their signature on the preliminary contract. We have done this because the overwhelming message I have been receiving from bus drivers from Kununurra to Albany is that they want the matter to be resolved. They want to know what they will receive and they want to sign up and move forward. The Government believes this package is the best way to move forward. It provides proper protection for the operators, inasmuch as if the contract is different from what they envisage - we are only improving it in line with representations made by the industry - they will have the opportunity to vitiate the contract and return to the conditions in their standard rate model. The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
The SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure to order for the first time. Last week I made it clear to everybody that members should refer to other members by either their title or their seat. The situation arose last week because of an incident with the minister herself. I remind everybody of that rule.
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