Senate debates Bills
Social and Community Services Pay Equity Special Account Bill 2012, Social and Community Services Pay Equity Special Account (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012; In Committee
Rachel Siewert WA, Australian Greens
12:39 pm
I thank the parliamentary secretary for attempting to answer the questions that I raised during my second reading contribution. I heard what he said about the process and being able to write back to the department. Does that mean that all the other offers that other departments may have made are still proceeding, or are they all put on hold?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water
12:40 pm
The answer to that is they are still proceeding.
Rachel Siewert WA, Australian Greens
Thank you. Is there a time line once the appeal process starts? What is the time frame for resolution of that? Is there a mechanism to go to an independent resolution process if there cannot be a resolution with the agency?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water
The answer, as I understand it, is that it is 30 days from the time that we have the response, but there is no independent process.
Rachel Siewert WA, Australian Greens
12:41 pm
Does that mean it is 'take it or leave it' after 30 days?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water
We will be basing the response on their costs, as long as we have the evidence in relation to that.
Rachel Siewert WA, Australian Greens
Thank you. I appreciate the minister's answer in terms of commitment to the Western Australian situation with the federal IR process. In terms of the partnership or the appeals process, where the Commonwealth is negotiating with the state, I can see the not-for-profit sector getting caught between the Commonwealth and the state. Is there a process that you have in mind for resolving any disputes there?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water
12:42 pm
I thank Senator Siewert for the question. We are negotiating with the states over those and hope to have a satisfactory outcome.
Rachel Siewert WA, Australian Greens
I am not trying to be dense here, but do you mean over the whole process or an appeals process?
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water
I am talking about an appeals process for the Commonwealth-state relations.
Rachel Siewert WA, Australian Greens
I thank the minister for his answers. If I require any more detail, I will put that on notice.
Bills reported without amendments; report adopted.