NORTHERN TERRITORY EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING AUTHORITY (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 2002 Second Reading Speech

Northern Territory Second Reading Speeches

NORTHERN TERRITORY EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING AUTHORITY (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 2002

(This an uncorrected proof of the daily report. It is made available under the condition that it is recognised as such.)

Madam Speaker, I move that the bills be now read a second time.

The purpose of the bills is to amend the Northern Territory Employment and Training Authority Act to achieve two aims:

(1) to alter the provisions of the act to abolish the existing board for the replacement of a new Ministerial Advisory Board; and

(2) to change the title of the act by removing the word ‘Authority’.

· increasing the number of representatives on the board from the current 10 up to 13 representatives;

· by guaranteeing appropriate industry representation with amendments that guarantee representation from two training advisory councils and a person nominated by the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce and Industry;

· by further guaranteeing regional representation of at least three people who live outside of the major centres of Darwin and Palmerston;

· by ensuring indigenous concerns are represented on the board through the nomination of a representative from ATSIC;

· by including representation of a person nominated by the Northern Territory Trades and Labour Council;

· by including representation from a Vocational Education and Training practitioner;

· by also including representation of a person employed by the Commonwealth and responsible for Vocational Education and Training programs in the Northern Territory; and

· by ensuring high level representation from the key Northern Territory public service agencies with the inclusion of both the CEO responsible for administering the act, and the CEO of the agency responsible for industrial development.

The proposed amendments will ensure the Board’s role as one of providing strategic advice to government, and that the development of employment and training policies are underpinned by advice from a broad range of stake holders.

The proposed change to the title of the Northern Territory Employment and Training Act is simply a matter of housekeeping. By removing the word ‘authority’ from the title of the act the legislation will better reflect the wider purpose of the act. It will also better reflect the merger of the agency known as the Northern Territory Employment and Training Authority, with the former Department of Education and the Work Health Authority into the one department of Employment, Education and Training.

I commend the bills to honourable members.

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