Hon George Cash raises concerns about the occupational health and safety of parliamentary staff working long hours. Hon Kim Chance acknowledges the issue and commits to discussing it with the Leader of the House in the Legislative Assembly.

AnsweredQoN 919Legislative Council
Asked
11 December 2001
Portfolio
Leader of the House

QuestionView source ↗

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, PARLIAMENTARY STAFF
(1) Has the Leader of the House discussed with the Leader of the House in the Legislative Assembly the potential adverse occupational safety and health issues that may be experienced by Hansard reporters and other parliamentary staff members, many of whom were required to work yesterday and through the night until 7.00 am this morning. They then resumed work at 2.00 pm this afternoon. (2) If he has not raised this issue with the Leader of the House in the Legislative Assembly, will he do so in the interests of the welfare of those staff members? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank Hon George Cash for his sincere concern for parliamentary staff. (1)-(2) No, I have not spoken to the Leader of the House in the Assembly, but I most certainly will do so during the progress of today’s sitting. It is a matter of concern to me. I have previously mentioned in this place the stress that extended sittings place on the occupational health and safety of members, officers and staff of the Parliament. It is a matter of great concern. It is for that reason that I believe that, in this place at least, both the government and the opposition sides have gone to extreme lengths to ensure that we do not sit for extended hours. I would not want to see all-night sittings, as has happened in other places. It is a matter that I will discuss with my opposite number in the other place.
(2) If he has not raised this issue with the Leader of the House in the Legislative Assembly, will he do so in the interests of the welfare of those staff members? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon George Cash for his sincere concern for parliamentary staff. (1)-(2) No, I have not spoken to the Leader of the House in the Assembly, but I most certainly will do so during the progress of today’s sitting. It is a matter of concern to me. I have previously mentioned in this place the stress that extended sittings place on the occupational health and safety of members, officers and staff of the Parliament. It is a matter of great concern. It is for that reason that I believe that, in this place at least, both the government and the opposition sides have gone to extreme lengths to ensure that we do not sit for extended hours. I would not want to see all-night sittings, as has happened in other places. It is a matter that I will discuss with my opposite number in the other place.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon George Cash for his sincere concern for parliamentary staff. (1)-(2) No, I have not spoken to the Leader of the House in the Assembly, but I most certainly will do so during the progress of today’s sitting. It is a matter of concern to me. I have previously mentioned in this place the stress that extended sittings place on the occupational health and safety of members, officers and staff of the Parliament. It is a matter of great concern. It is for that reason that I believe that, in this place at least, both the government and the opposition sides have gone to extreme lengths to ensure that we do not sit for extended hours. I would not want to see all-night sittings, as has happened in other places. It is a matter that I will discuss with my opposite number in the other place.
I thank Hon George Cash for his sincere concern for parliamentary staff. (1)-(2) No, I have not spoken to the Leader of the House in the Assembly, but I most certainly will do so during the progress of today’s sitting. It is a matter of concern to me. I have previously mentioned in this place the stress that extended sittings place on the occupational health and safety of members, officers and staff of the Parliament. It is a matter of great concern. It is for that reason that I believe that, in this place at least, both the government and the opposition sides have gone to extreme lengths to ensure that we do not sit for extended hours. I would not want to see all-night sittings, as has happened in other places. It is a matter that I will discuss with my opposite number in the other place.
(1)-(2) No, I have not spoken to the Leader of the House in the Assembly, but I most certainly will do so during the progress of today’s sitting. It is a matter of concern to me. I have previously mentioned in this place the stress that extended sittings place on the occupational health and safety of members, officers and staff of the Parliament. It is a matter of great concern. It is for that reason that I believe that, in this place at least, both the government and the opposition sides have gone to extreme lengths to ensure that we do not sit for extended hours. I would not want to see all-night sittings, as has happened in other places. It is a matter that I will discuss with my opposite number in the other place.

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