Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I seek the indulgence of the chair to add to an answer.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister may proceed.

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was asked a question by the member for Perth about a letter containing some advice from the Office of the Employment Advocate to Aboriginal Hostels Ltd. I am advised that an employee of the OEA did write to Aboriginal Hostels Ltd on 16 October, in which advice was provided with respect to the negotiation of a collective agreement. I am further advised that the OEA employee was not authorised to provide such advice, and subsequently the Deputy Employment Advocate wrote to Mr Keith Clarke, General Manager of Aboriginal Hostels Ltd, on 1 November informing him: ‘The OEA unconditionally withdraws the letter of 16 October and the contents of the advice should not be relied upon.’ Once again, the member for Perth has come in here and failed to disclose the full story. He did not tell the House that there was a subsequent follow-up letter from the Office of the Employment Advocate.