INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:56): My question is for the Minister for Industrial Relations. Can the minister please advise the chamber about the recent appointments to the SafeWork SA Advisory Committee?

The PRESIDENT: The Minister for Industrial Relations.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Cool down, cool down.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Point of order, Mr President. The Hon. Ms Zollo has asked a Dorothy Dixer, and the minister is wasting the time of question time because he doesn't even have an answer for a Dorothy Dixer. Isn't this a bit embarrassing? Can we move on to the next question?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Ms Zollo asked a question. Nobody said that it was a Dorothy Dixer.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas: I did!

The PRESIDENT: Yes, you did, but you got it wrong. It wasn't a Dorothy Dixer.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:56): Mr President, I recently appointed members to the Industrial Relations Advisory Committee. I think the honourable member may have the wrong committee. The SafeWork SA question—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: Point of order, Mr President. The question asked by the member related to the SafeWork Advisory Committee. The minister is not answering the question that was asked. Either we get a different question or a different answer—relevance.

The PRESIDENT: As the Hon. Mr Lucas knows from past experience in the way he used to answer questions, the minister can answer them in any way he likes. The minister.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: I am pleased to announce that on 10 May 2012, His Excellency the Governor—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister might like to let the opposition get over their excitement.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: That's right. I think I will.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The opposition are talking. Have you finished, the Hon. Mr Ridgway?

The Hon. T.J. Stephens interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: No; the Hon. Mr Stephens wants to have a go.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The government benches should be quiet. The Hon. Mr Stephens is talking.

The Hon. S.G. Wade interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wade wants to have a go? No?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Well, they're going all right.

An honourable member interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Yes, when you're finished.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Thank you, Mr President. I am pleased to announce that on 10 May 2012, His Excellency the Governor, in Executive Council, appointed members to the Industrial Relations Advisory Committee for a two-year term, commencing on 13 May 2012. The Industrial Relations Advisory Committee (IRAC, as it is commonly known) is a statutory committee established by section 46 of the state Fair Work Act 1994.

The main functions of IRAC are to assist the Minister for Industrial Relations in formulating and advising the minister on implementing policies affecting industrial relations in South Australia; advising the minister on legislative proposals of industrial significance; and consider matters referred to the committee by the minister or members of the committee.

I am pleased to advise that the following appointments to IRAC have been made: Mr Angus Story, SA Unions; Ms Jan McMahon, Public Service Association; Ms Fay Donaghy, Australian Services Union; Mr Justin Hanson, Australian Workers Union; Mr Dave Gray, United Voice; Mr Donald Blairs, Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association; Mr Trevor Evans, Australian Hotels Association; Mr Rick Cairney, Business SA; Ms Wendy Campana, Local Government Association; Mr Clive Starr, Australian Industry Group; Ms Anna Moeller, Motor Trade Association; and Ms Sarah Hills, South Australian Wine Industry Association.

In considering nominations to IRAC, I took into account the desirability to have the state's peak union body, SA Unions, and the peak employer association, Business SA, along with representations from organisations that represent employees or employers in the public and local government sectors.

Since South Australia's referral of certain industrial relations powers for the private sector to the national system of industrial relations from 1 January 2010, the public and local government sectors are the two industry sectors that are covered by the state industrial relations system. The Local Government Association is therefore now represented on IRAC as a key stakeholder for industrial relations.

Other organisations were selected within the context of providing gender balance and regional representation, while achieving a broad industry sector representation. I am confident that those appointed can not only assist me as a minister in dealing with issues arising in the state system but also assist in filtering local issues relating to the national system through the appropriate national committees, such as the High Level Officials Group and the Council of Australian Government Select Council on Workplace Relations.

Several key projects that the committee will be involved in during the remainder of 2012 include recommending amendments to the Holidays Act 1910, arising from recently completed community consultation and providing advice regarding South Australia's input into the development of a national employment standard for long service leave. I would like to take the opportunity to thank outgoing member Mr Tom Earls from the Master Builders Association. The Master Builders Association has contributed to IRAC over several years and no doubt will continue to participate in engagement and consultation strategies on industrial relations.

I would also like personally to make special mention of Mr Paul Eblen from the Motor Trade Association. Mr Eblen is to be commended for providing more than 10 years service to IRAC and for being a passionate and vocal contributor to industrial relations in this state. IRAC is vitally important in providing a forum for advocacy and debate about state and national industrial relations issues, and I look forward to working with the newly appointed committee throughout 2012.