❓ Mrs. Roberts questions Minister Buswell about a false answer given regarding the abolition of the Pay Equity Unit. Minister Buswell acknowledges the error, apologizes, and defends his focus on industrial relations reform while also claiming interest in gender pay equity.
AnsweredQoN 726Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PAY EQUITY UNIT — DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
I have a supplementary question. Is the minister embarrassed that he provided a false answer for Hon Helen Morton to deliver on Tuesday this week in the upper house that the unit had not been abolished when it had; and why did the minister not check with his department? Mr T.R. BUSWELL
I have a supplementary question. Is the minister embarrassed that he provided a false answer for Hon Helen Morton to deliver on Tuesday this week in the upper house that the unit had not been abolished when it had; and why did the minister not check with his department? Mr T.R. BUSWELL
AnswerView source ↗
I think the member should look at the Hansard for the upper house. I apologised to Hon Helen Morton for providing that answer and I asked her to apologise to the upper house on my behalf. I am not sure whether she did, but I certainly asked her to do so and drafted a correction. It does happen from time to time that people provide information — Mrs M.H. Roberts : But the minister does not know what is happening in his own department. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me say that I know exactly what is happening in that agency. Our focus in that agency has been to deliver the industrial relations review, which is now complete. It will be a major modernisation of the Western Australian industrial relations system. It has been my focus in the first instance because the system the previous government left us with is a tired, antiquated system. The commonwealth, rightly so, with a mandate — Mrs M.H. Roberts : You’re not running the department; they’re running themselves! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I do not think so. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I think the member should look at the Hansard for the upper house. I apologised to Hon Helen Morton for providing that answer and I asked her to apologise to the upper house on my behalf. I am not sure whether she did, but I certainly asked her to do so and drafted a correction. It does happen from time to time that people provide information — Mrs M.H. Roberts : But the minister does not know what is happening in his own department. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me say that I know exactly what is happening in that agency. Our focus in that agency has been to deliver the industrial relations review, which is now complete. It will be a major modernisation of the Western Australian industrial relations system. It has been my focus in the first instance because the system the previous government left us with is a tired, antiquated system. The commonwealth, rightly so, with a mandate — Mrs M.H. Roberts : You’re not running the department; they’re running themselves! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I do not think so. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
I think the member should look at the Hansard for the upper house. I apologised to Hon Helen Morton for providing that answer and I asked her to apologise to the upper house on my behalf. I am not sure whether she did, but I certainly asked her to do so and drafted a correction. It does happen from time to time that people provide information — Mrs M.H. Roberts : But the minister does not know what is happening in his own department. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me say that I know exactly what is happening in that agency. Our focus in that agency has been to deliver the industrial relations review, which is now complete. It will be a major modernisation of the Western Australian industrial relations system. It has been my focus in the first instance because the system the previous government left us with is a tired, antiquated system. The commonwealth, rightly so, with a mandate — Mrs M.H. Roberts : You’re not running the department; they’re running themselves! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I do not think so. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : But the minister does not know what is happening in his own department. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me say that I know exactly what is happening in that agency. Our focus in that agency has been to deliver the industrial relations review, which is now complete. It will be a major modernisation of the Western Australian industrial relations system. It has been my focus in the first instance because the system the previous government left us with is a tired, antiquated system. The commonwealth, rightly so, with a mandate — Mrs M.H. Roberts : You’re not running the department; they’re running themselves! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I do not think so. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me say that I know exactly what is happening in that agency. Our focus in that agency has been to deliver the industrial relations review, which is now complete. It will be a major modernisation of the Western Australian industrial relations system. It has been my focus in the first instance because the system the previous government left us with is a tired, antiquated system. The commonwealth, rightly so, with a mandate — Mrs M.H. Roberts : You’re not running the department; they’re running themselves! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I do not think so. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : You’re not running the department; they’re running themselves! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I do not think so. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I do not think so. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I think the member should look at the Hansard for the upper house. I apologised to Hon Helen Morton for providing that answer and I asked her to apologise to the upper house on my behalf. I am not sure whether she did, but I certainly asked her to do so and drafted a correction. It does happen from time to time that people provide information — Mrs M.H. Roberts : But the minister does not know what is happening in his own department. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me say that I know exactly what is happening in that agency. Our focus in that agency has been to deliver the industrial relations review, which is now complete. It will be a major modernisation of the Western Australian industrial relations system. It has been my focus in the first instance because the system the previous government left us with is a tired, antiquated system. The commonwealth, rightly so, with a mandate — Mrs M.H. Roberts : You’re not running the department; they’re running themselves! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I do not think so. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
I think the member should look at the Hansard for the upper house. I apologised to Hon Helen Morton for providing that answer and I asked her to apologise to the upper house on my behalf. I am not sure whether she did, but I certainly asked her to do so and drafted a correction. It does happen from time to time that people provide information — Mrs M.H. Roberts : But the minister does not know what is happening in his own department. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me say that I know exactly what is happening in that agency. Our focus in that agency has been to deliver the industrial relations review, which is now complete. It will be a major modernisation of the Western Australian industrial relations system. It has been my focus in the first instance because the system the previous government left us with is a tired, antiquated system. The commonwealth, rightly so, with a mandate — Mrs M.H. Roberts : You’re not running the department; they’re running themselves! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I do not think so. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : But the minister does not know what is happening in his own department. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me say that I know exactly what is happening in that agency. Our focus in that agency has been to deliver the industrial relations review, which is now complete. It will be a major modernisation of the Western Australian industrial relations system. It has been my focus in the first instance because the system the previous government left us with is a tired, antiquated system. The commonwealth, rightly so, with a mandate — Mrs M.H. Roberts : You’re not running the department; they’re running themselves! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I do not think so. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Let me say that I know exactly what is happening in that agency. Our focus in that agency has been to deliver the industrial relations review, which is now complete. It will be a major modernisation of the Western Australian industrial relations system. It has been my focus in the first instance because the system the previous government left us with is a tired, antiquated system. The commonwealth, rightly so, with a mandate — Mrs M.H. Roberts : You’re not running the department; they’re running themselves! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I do not think so. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : You’re not running the department; they’re running themselves! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I do not think so. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I do not think so. Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : You don’t know what is happening. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will give the member a tip: I will let her have some time with the director general and she can ask him what he thinks. The member can have a look at the thumbprints all over him, because I can assure the member that some of them are in uncomfortable places! I can assure the member that the director generals who report to me know about my interest in every single dollar of taxpayers’ money they spend. Some of them are surprised at the attention to detail that this government applies to their agencies and they say to us, “By crikey, things have changed in this place.” All of a sudden in Western Australia we have a public sector that is being held accountable, because it has a set of ministers who are held accountable by the taxpayers in this state. Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Back to gender pay equity — Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The member for Cockburn’s performance is probably the worst of all, but we will not go there. Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr F.M. Logan : Have a look at the people around you—you can’t be serious. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : If that is the member’s view of us—his attempt to rewrite history—what must the facts be about the member’s performance? However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
However, back to gender pay equity—this may surprise members—which is something I have had a long interest in. I have had an academic interest in gender pay equity. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
The SPEAKER : Member for Midland! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I cannot help it if I have an interest in it. Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
The SPEAKER : Member for Midland, you have had the opportunity to ask a question and to ask a supplementary question. It is not an opportunity for further and continued interjections. Minister, I urge you to reach a rapid conclusion to this question. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Can I just conclude by saying this: now that we have a few other things off the agenda in terms of priorities in that area, I will be speaking to the agency about what it is doing about gender pay equity. I did not blow the chart up, but if the opposition is so concerned about this matter, how could it be that there was a massive increase in the gender pay equity gap from 2003 to 2008? How can it be? That is the nature of the challenge and we will work to address it.
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