Mr EDE - 1995-10-18
Has the Chief Minister noticed that industrial relations in PAWA and the Northern Territory Teaching Service are in an appalling mess? Has he noticed that the Chief Executive Officer of PAWA is in conflict with the government over the need for a separate enterprise agreement? Has he noticed that PAWA workers are becoming increasingly angry about the
Page 905
erosion of their pay and their inability to bargain wage rises commensurate with their increases in productivity? Has he noticed that the Minister for Education and Training has insulted the professionalism of teachers and the Minister for Public Employment is refusing to consider the legitimate demand of teachers and PAWA workers for separate agreements? When will the Chief Minister show some gumption, as one commentator put it, or find his backbone, as I asked last week? When will he pull his ministers into line and negotiate solutions to some of these problems?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I have noticed that 85% of the Northern Territory Public Service has accepted the government's offer negotiated through the enterprise agreement. The Leader of the Opposition does not acknowledge that, nor does he tell the public that. He tells a very selective story in this Chamber. He does not tell the truth, and that is half his problem. As I said, 85% or more have accepted the offer.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr STONE: Are you interested in the answer or not? What you need to understand is that enterprise-based agreements are all about productivity gains, and negotiations between the employer and the employee to try to find a middle ground. That over 85% of the Northern Territory Public Service has accepted the offer is an indication that those workers are content. They have said that this is a good offer and a fair offer. Members opposite gloss over all of that. I am well aware of the continuing negotiations with the Australian Education Union and with some of the PAWA unions. However, at the end of the day, over 85% of Northern Territory public servants have said that it is a good offer which they will accept.
Page 906
Page 905
erosion of their pay and their inability to bargain wage rises commensurate with their increases in productivity? Has he noticed that the Minister for Education and Training has insulted the professionalism of teachers and the Minister for Public Employment is refusing to consider the legitimate demand of teachers and PAWA workers for separate agreements? When will the Chief Minister show some gumption, as one commentator put it, or find his backbone, as I asked last week? When will he pull his ministers into line and negotiate solutions to some of these problems?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I have noticed that 85% of the Northern Territory Public Service has accepted the government's offer negotiated through the enterprise agreement. The Leader of the Opposition does not acknowledge that, nor does he tell the public that. He tells a very selective story in this Chamber. He does not tell the truth, and that is half his problem. As I said, 85% or more have accepted the offer.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr STONE: Are you interested in the answer or not? What you need to understand is that enterprise-based agreements are all about productivity gains, and negotiations between the employer and the employee to try to find a middle ground. That over 85% of the Northern Territory Public Service has accepted the offer is an indication that those workers are content. They have said that this is a good offer and a fair offer. Members opposite gloss over all of that. I am well aware of the continuing negotiations with the Australian Education Union and with some of the PAWA unions. However, at the end of the day, over 85% of Northern Territory public servants have said that it is a good offer which they will accept.
Page 906
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016