Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-03-20 Daily Xml

Contents

GOVERNMENT STATIONERY CONTRACT

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:22): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, representing the Premier, questions regarding the whole of government stationery contract.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: I have recently been advised that KW Wholesale Stationers has had to make two of their staff redundant due to the 30 per cent reduction in sales. Further to this, full-time employees only continue to be employed as they have agreed to a 35 per cent reduction to their wages, which will result in some people receiving less than what they would normally receive on a Newstart allowance. This is in addition to other cost saving measures which have been implemented, such as reduced hours. My questions are:

1. Is the Premier aware of the negative effect the whole of government contract has had on KW Wholesale Stationers, their 110 employees and their families?

2. Is the Premier aware that there could be further job losses from the 380 newsagents across the state as a result of this contract?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:24): I thank the honourable member for his questions and will refer them to the relevant minister from another place and bring back a response.