❓ Minister Kobelke criticises the federal government's cancellation of a meeting to discuss industrial relations reforms, accusing them of a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction and undermining WA's interests. He defends the WA government's focus on delivering for its people.
AnsweredQoN 169Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
What are the implications of the cancellation of the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council by federal Minister Andrews, which was scheduled for 20 May, and at which there was to be discussion with the states about the federal government’s industrial relations proposals? Mr J.C. KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. I found it outrageous that, for the second time in a month, the federal minister cancelled a meeting with state and territory ministers to deal with Australian workplace and industrial relations, particularly in the light of mooted changes - Mr M.J. Birney : Why aren’t you concentrating on the state government? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem with interjections that are not directed at the relevant minister; they hold up the operations of this place. I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : This government is very much centred on making sure that we deliver for the people of Western Australia. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might turn his attention to that at some stage. What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. I found it outrageous that, for the second time in a month, the federal minister cancelled a meeting with state and territory ministers to deal with Australian workplace and industrial relations, particularly in the light of mooted changes - Mr M.J. Birney : Why aren’t you concentrating on the state government? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem with interjections that are not directed at the relevant minister; they hold up the operations of this place. I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : This government is very much centred on making sure that we deliver for the people of Western Australia. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might turn his attention to that at some stage. What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
I thank the member for the question. I found it outrageous that, for the second time in a month, the federal minister cancelled a meeting with state and territory ministers to deal with Australian workplace and industrial relations, particularly in the light of mooted changes - Mr M.J. Birney : Why aren’t you concentrating on the state government? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem with interjections that are not directed at the relevant minister; they hold up the operations of this place. I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : This government is very much centred on making sure that we deliver for the people of Western Australia. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might turn his attention to that at some stage. What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
Mr M.J. Birney : Why aren’t you concentrating on the state government? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem with interjections that are not directed at the relevant minister; they hold up the operations of this place. I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : This government is very much centred on making sure that we deliver for the people of Western Australia. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might turn his attention to that at some stage. What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem with interjections that are not directed at the relevant minister; they hold up the operations of this place. I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : This government is very much centred on making sure that we deliver for the people of Western Australia. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might turn his attention to that at some stage. What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem with interjections that are not directed at the relevant minister; they hold up the operations of this place. I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : This government is very much centred on making sure that we deliver for the people of Western Australia. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might turn his attention to that at some stage. What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : This government is very much centred on making sure that we deliver for the people of Western Australia. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might turn his attention to that at some stage. What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. I found it outrageous that, for the second time in a month, the federal minister cancelled a meeting with state and territory ministers to deal with Australian workplace and industrial relations, particularly in the light of mooted changes - Mr M.J. Birney : Why aren’t you concentrating on the state government? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem with interjections that are not directed at the relevant minister; they hold up the operations of this place. I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : This government is very much centred on making sure that we deliver for the people of Western Australia. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might turn his attention to that at some stage. What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
I thank the member for the question. I found it outrageous that, for the second time in a month, the federal minister cancelled a meeting with state and territory ministers to deal with Australian workplace and industrial relations, particularly in the light of mooted changes - Mr M.J. Birney : Why aren’t you concentrating on the state government? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem with interjections that are not directed at the relevant minister; they hold up the operations of this place. I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : This government is very much centred on making sure that we deliver for the people of Western Australia. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might turn his attention to that at some stage. What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
Mr M.J. Birney : Why aren’t you concentrating on the state government? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem with interjections that are not directed at the relevant minister; they hold up the operations of this place. I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : This government is very much centred on making sure that we deliver for the people of Western Australia. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might turn his attention to that at some stage. What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem with interjections that are not directed at the relevant minister; they hold up the operations of this place. I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : This government is very much centred on making sure that we deliver for the people of Western Australia. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might turn his attention to that at some stage. What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem with interjections that are not directed at the relevant minister; they hold up the operations of this place. I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr J.C. KOBELKE : This government is very much centred on making sure that we deliver for the people of Western Australia. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might turn his attention to that at some stage. What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
Mr J.C. KOBELKE : This government is very much centred on making sure that we deliver for the people of Western Australia. Perhaps the Leader of the Opposition might turn his attention to that at some stage. What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
What I find outrageous is the comments the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has put on the record on several occasions. Last month when he spoke at the Menzies Research Centre, the Prime Minister said that - Our preference is for a single system to be agreed between the Commonwealth and the States . . . Further on in that address, the Prime Minister said that he would - . . . seek state cooperation with States and Territories on national challenges where there is overlapping responsibility. The Prime Minister is talking about consulting and doing something for the benefit of Australia. On more than one occasion I have written to the federal minister and sought to travel to Melbourne or Sydney to meet with him and the other ministers. However, that meeting has been cancelled three times - twice in one month - because the federal minister does not wish to consult. The Leader of the Opposition claims he can get a briefing from the federal minister about the proposed changes. However, the federal minister is not willing to give a briefing to state and territory ministers. Clearly the federal government is not about cooperation with the states; rather, it seeks a hostile takeover of state jurisdiction. It wants to put in place a second-rate industrial relations system. We can debate how the federal system is a much poorer system that will lower standards. At the heart of this issue is a federal attempt to take over the states’ industrial relations jurisdiction. I am pleased that the opposition has recognised that. Although the government and the opposition do not agree on the detail of an industrial relations system, the opposition does agree with the government that a federal take over of industrial relations will mean a reduction in state rights. It will also mean that any Canberra government will be able not only to dictate to the states on industrial relations issues, but also to spread its tentacles through a range of areas that go with that. Canberra will dictate to Western Australia and, as we know, the interests of Western Australians do not get a hearing in Canberra. The Gallop government puts the interests of Western Australians first. On that basis, we totally reject the push by the Howard government to usurp the states’ responsibilities and rights in the area of industrial relations. Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
Mr T.R. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Vasse to order for the first time.
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