QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
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INDUSTRIAL AWARDS ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION FEE
Page: 16098
The Hon. MICHAEL GALLACHER: I ask the Minister for Industrial Relations a question without notice. Is the Minister aware that a motion was carried at the New South Wales Labor Council meeting on 14 June, following concerns raised by the Electrical Trades Union [ETU], which demanded the removal of the $16.50 being charged to purchase awards on the Department of Industrial Relations web site? Has the New South Wales Labor Council written to the Minister about this matter? What action will the Minister take to address what the ETU described as "this penny pinching and morally deficient fee"?
The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: I am aware of the ETU's concerns about the matter. Indeed, the secretary of the ETU has raised them with me personally. I have no recollection of receiving correspondence since that time. I know about the resolution. The honourable member asked specifically whether I had received correspondence or responded to it. I do not recollect having seen or having responded to correspondence. The Department of Industrial Relations web site provides a comprehensive service in having awards electronically available online for union members, non-union members and employers. The web site contains details about awards and appropriate agreements across all sectors. There is no charge to the public for accessing the information by electronic transfer. I understand that there is a telecommunications cost attached to downloading the material to print it. I still have the issue of costs in relation to that under consideration.
I will respond to any ETU or Labor Council representations, and when the matters have been finally considered I will respond to the question of the Leader of the Opposition. The material is available electronically, so it is accessible online. It is obviously possible to purchase copies of awards through the usual channels. The main point of the ETU resolution is that young tradespeople and apprentices should have access to information about their employment conditions. I strongly endorse that principle. The service, at least in theory, should be available free of charge to people at the beginning of their career. I undertake to provide an appropriate answer to the honourable member after I have responded to the ETU and Labor Council representations.