Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission - State budget 2010-11
474. Hon ALISON XAMON to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to page 891 of the budget papers, which is headed “2: Conciliation and Arbitration by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.” Why has the government decreased funding to the conciliation and arbitration component of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission?
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied:
It is very difficult from time to time to hear members speaking from that corner of the house. I do not know what the problem is. Maybe during the break someone will have a look at it. Was this question about the so-called decreased funding for the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission?
Hon Alison Xamon: Yes.
Hon NORMAN MOORE: I thank the member for some notice of this question.
The government has not decreased funding to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission. The conciliation and arbitration function of the commission is performed by commissioners. The total cost of delivering this particular service in the 2010–11 financial year will be less than was the case for the previous financial year due to the resignation of Commissioner Stephen Wood in December 2009.
I should point out, at any rate, that the workload of commissioners has decreased significantly since the federal government used the corporations power of the Constitution to exclusively regulate industrial relations for constitutional corporations and their employees. It is entirely appropriate, and indeed fiscally responsible, for the government to review the commission’s structure and funding arrangements in light of its changing role and responsibilities.