Opposition questions the Premier regarding alleged misinformation distributed by a Minister and a Labor MP concerning the impact of the Labour Relations Reform Bill on employee conditions, particularly within Rio Tinto. The Premier defends his colleague, citing legal advice.

AnsweredQoN 825Legislative Assembly
Asked
21 March 2002
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

I refer the Premier to recent letters from the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection and Hon Jon Ford that unions have circulated throughout the north west work force, including thousands of Rio Tinto Ltd employees, which state that workers will not suffer a loss of conditions under Labor’s proposed industrial relations reforms. (1) Is the Premier aware that the Labour Relations Reform Bill does not guarantee employee workplace agreement conditions when they conflict with an award provision? (2) Does the Premier condone his parliamentary colleagues’ attempts to misinform employees; and, if not, will he take steps to ensure that there is no further distribution of this misleading and inaccurate information? Dr GALLOP

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(2) I understand that the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection wrote that letter after receiving legal advice. As far as I am concerned, I am sure that he would have undertaken his responsibilities in the proper manner.
(1) Is the Premier aware that the Labour Relations Reform Bill does not guarantee employee workplace agreement conditions when they conflict with an award provision? (2) Does the Premier condone his parliamentary colleagues’ attempts to misinform employees; and, if not, will he take steps to ensure that there is no further distribution of this misleading and inaccurate information? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I understand that the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection wrote that letter after receiving legal advice. As far as I am concerned, I am sure that he would have undertaken his responsibilities in the proper manner.
(2) Does the Premier condone his parliamentary colleagues’ attempts to misinform employees; and, if not, will he take steps to ensure that there is no further distribution of this misleading and inaccurate information? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I understand that the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection wrote that letter after receiving legal advice. As far as I am concerned, I am sure that he would have undertaken his responsibilities in the proper manner.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I understand that the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection wrote that letter after receiving legal advice. As far as I am concerned, I am sure that he would have undertaken his responsibilities in the proper manner.
(1)-(2) I understand that the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection wrote that letter after receiving legal advice. As far as I am concerned, I am sure that he would have undertaken his responsibilities in the proper manner.

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