TREASURY AND FINANCE — EQUAL REMUNERATION ORDER

348. Hon Alison Xamon to the minister representing the Treasurer:

I refer to the 2012 Equal Remuneration Order (ERO), and the failure of the previous Government to factor annual ERO increases into the government funding indexation formula, and I ask:

(a)  will the Government allocate funds to compensate contracted community service providers for required ERO increases; and

(b)  if no to (a), why not?

Hon Stephen Dawson replied:

(a)  No.

(b)  The previous State Government provided additional funding through the Sustainable Funding and Contracting with the Not for Profit Sector Initiative, as part of the 2011–12 State Budget. This investment considered the impact of the Equal Remuneration Order on community service providers.