C2002/3793, Transcript of Proceedings [2002] AIRCTrans 3377 (3 September 2002)

AUSCRIPT PTY LTD
ABN 76 082 664 220

Level 4, 179 Queen St MELBOURNE Vic 3000
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TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS


O/N VT05375

AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIAL

RELATIONS COMMISSION

VICE PRESIDENT ROSS

C2002/3793, 3799, 3794, 3798, 3796,
3800, 3797 and 3795

PLUMBING INDUSTRY (AUSTRALIAN
CAPITAL TERRITORY) AWARD 1999

PLUMBING INDUSTRY (QUEENSLAND AND
WESTERN AUSTRALIA) AWARD 1999

PLUMBING TRADES (SOUTHERN STATES)
CONSTRUCTION AWARD, 1999

GASFITTERS (QUEENSLAND) AWARD 2000

PLUMBING TRADES (MIXED INDUSTRIES)
AWARD 2000

PLUMBING INDUSTRY (VICTORIAN
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS,
INSTRUMENTALITIES AND PUBLIC
HOSPITAL) AWARD 2000

PLUMBING INDUSTRY (NEW SOUTH WALES)
AWARD 1999

THE SPRINKLER PIPE FITTERS'
AWARD 1988

Applications under section 113
of the Act to vary awards to
give effect to the Safety Net
Review, May 2002 decision

MELBOURNE

10.54 AM, FRIDAY, 16 AUGUST 2002

C2002/3793

PLUMBING INDUSTRY (AUSTRALIAN
CAPITAL TERRITORY) AWARD 1999

Application under section 113 of
the Act to vary re Safety Net
Review - Wages May 2002

PN1

THE VICE PRESIDENT: May I have appearances please, firstly in Melbourne.

PN2

MR J. COONEY: I appear on behalf of the CEPU.

PN3

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Stay seated when it is a video conference otherwise the camera can't track you.

PN4

MR C. HARNATH: I am from the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia.

PN5

MS J. WATLING: I appear for the Australian Industry Group.

PN6

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And in Canberra.

PN7

MR F. GILLINGHAM: I appear for the Master Builders Construction and Housing Association in the ACT.

PN8

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Mr Gillingham. Mr Cooney.

PN9

MR COONEY: Your Honour, this is an application made under section 113 of the Work Place Relations Act. It is made in light of the May 2002 safety net adjustment with the print number 002002. It is C number 3793 of 2002. We make application that this award be varied as at 29 August 2002. Just one adjustment to the draft orders is number 10 - it actually states, 191 changing to 198. It should be changing to $1.97 - that is the ..... allowance.

PN10

MR GILLINGHAM: I am having difficulty, your Honour, in hearing.

PN11

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That is all right, Mr Gillingham. You haven't missed anything yet. The change that is sought to be made to the draft order is in paragraph 10.

PN12

MR GILLINGHAM: Yes.

PN13

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And Mr Cooney can you - what was the change?

PN14

MR COONEY: Yes, it was in the original draft orders it was filed as 1.91, that is the rate changing to 1.98 - it should actually be changed to 1.97.

PN15

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And the amount is actually $1.90, or - - -

PN16

MR COONEY: $1.97.

PN17

THE VICE PRESIDENT: No, the - - -

PN18

MR COONEY: The original rate at present is $1.90, yes.

PN19

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And it should be - it goes to $1.97.

PN20

MR COONEY: Correct, your Honour.

PN21

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Okay. Have you got that, Mr Gillingham.

PN22

MR GILLINGHAM: I am not quite sure which order we are referring to because in item 10 I have got, by deleting clause 11.3, the amount $1.90 and then inserting 1.98.

PN23

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yes, delete 1.98 and it is 1.97.

PN24

MR GILLINGHAM: Right. Thank you.

PN25

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Okay.

PN26

MR GILLINGHAM: Thank you.

PN27

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And the twelve months from the variation of the award from the 2001 was when?

PN28

MR COONEY: 29 August, your Honour.

PN29

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And I take it the union gives the necessary commitment as to absorption as set out in the principles?

PN30

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN31

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And the draft order has the off-setting clause. Have you got a copy of the statement of service?

PN32

MR COONEY: Your Honour I have only done the Registered Post. I will verify that I did the - that I went down to the Post Office and sent this away on 7 August 2002. I will put that on transcript.

PN33

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Why haven't you done a statement of service?

PN34

MR COONEY: Your Honour, it is an oversight. But if your Honour wishes I can do a statement of service and forward it on to the Commission this afternoon or Monday.

PN35

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Is it the same in relation to each one of the matters?

PN36

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN37

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Okay. Yes, no, I do want a statement of service given the problems on the last occasion about service so if that could be filed by 4.00 pm, Monday.

PN38

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN39

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Okay. Anything else? Mr Harnath?

PN40

MR HARNATH: Yes, your Honour. If I can - just on that pre-requisite undertaking that you requested, I take the Commission to the draft order and I do note that I think that it is last year's that is still there in the order. I think you might find that it is going to be common right throughout. I think it was a - - -

PN41

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I am sorry, what?

PN42

MR HARNATH: You are asking that - in the draft order before you for the - - -

PN43

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yes, no. It refers to 2001. That is fine. We will fix that in the order we issue.

PN44

MR HARNATH: Yes, and we will do that too. Your Honour, what I am about to say will probably refer to the other ones - other orders that will be coming before you later. We have had a - on-going discussions with the union in an endeavour to try and get this as well as other orders for the Plumbing group of awards before you today, in order. As of last evening there were still some minor changes.

PN45

I think Mr Kearney and yourself have already had a discussion about the bicycle allowance that you have pointed to. You will recall, your Honour, that I undertook to notify the parties that had expressed an interest in the various awards before you on the previous occasion. I did that, your Honour, and Mr Gillingham was one of those persons. I will provide you with a copy of that letter now and as part of the discussions we have had this morning with Mr Kearney, I am undertaking to e-mail to each of those persons this afternoon, a copy of the latest versions of all the - all the orders have - draft orders that have been provided.

PN46

Following that process, your Honour, it is proposed that if all is well and good, or if there is any further comment by the pre-requisite seven days next Friday, Mr Kearney would transmit that to the Commission for appropriate action by the Commission.

PN47

THE VICE PRESIDENT: All right.

PN48

MR HARNATH: That way, hopefully, your Honour we will take out all the gremlins that seem to recur. Your Honour, we don't oppose the making of the order in the ACT application. We recognise that the first - the operation date to the first day on or after - the first pay period commencing on or after 29 August, is the correct date and on that basis we would accept that approach your Honour, if the Commission pleases.

PN49

THE VICE PRESIDENT: The same for you, Ms Watling?

PN50

MS WATLING: We have checked the draft orders, your Honour and the Australian Industry Group does not oppose the variation sought by the union.

PN51

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Okay. Thank you. Mr Gillingham, I have got correspondence from you indicating you have checked the order and you have no objection, is that still your position?

PN52

MR GILLINGHAM: We agreed that the award be varied by increasing wages and existing allowances which relate to work or conditions in accordance with the safety net review wages May 2002 decision and print number 002002 and the principles contained therein.

PN53

We agree with the draft order but we - it is subject, your Honour, to whichever draft order I am referring to because at this stage I think I have got two in front of me and there were a couple of points that I did raise before we had a breakdown in the landline and they were, and I think this has already been taken care of, I did raise the question of whether subclause 11.3 at item 10 of page 2 of the - it hasn't got an actual page number on it on the draft, I have got - should increase - that is the bicycle allowance, because it seems to us that should be kept with no increase.

PN54

And the other issue that I have raised but it may be a matter that needs to be looked at some future date, is that it seems to us that with a number of these allowances they need to be rounded off a little bit better, either to the nearest five or 10 cents. For example, under item 7 - leading hands for example, 10.8.1 the rate is 27.81 and we feel there is a need to start rounding some of these off to be a bit more administratively capable of adjustment.

PN55

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I don't follow. Why is it an administrative problem?

PN56

MR GILLINGHAM: Well, you have got amounts of 27.81 per week, but we thought it would be more appropriate if that is rounded off to 27.80.

PN57

THE VICE PRESIDENT: But I don't understand why it is a problem. Most people are paid electronically or by cheque, why would it make any difference whether it is 81 cents or 80 cents?

PN58

MR GILLINGHAM: Well, if your Honour feels that that is not a problem I - as I said earlier, I am to the party, so I won't pursue that matter.

PN59

THE VICE PRESIDENT: No, I am not - I don't - not expressing a view about it, Mr Gillingham, I am just trying to understand what the - what difficulty having cents you know, one, two or three, rather than rounded to the nearest five, creates, that is all?

PN60

MR GILLINGHAM: Well, it is only that it shows in terms of - a person effectively wouldn't be getting in their pay packet one cent, that is the sort of proposition because it is no longer you know an amount that is used in the monetary cycle in Australia, as I understand it. But if your Honour is comfortable with the rate the matter stands so I won't pursue it.

PN61

There is other issues there where we have got amounts now that are - in the welding amount for example at item 9, which is 7.91 - in all events, if your Honour is comfortable with that and the other parties are comfortable I am not going to pursue it. The other matter is - sorry - - -

PN62

THE VICE PRESIDENT: No, that is all right, Mr Gillingham, I was just going to make the observation that I am really in your hands, I am not - I guess my level of comfort is not really the test at this stage. I see what you are saying. The only point I was making was that the leading hand allowance isn't paid in isolation. It is paid in conjunction with a range of other allowances and when you add them all up it is not the case of someone getting $617.01 a week, necessarily. We don't really know what they would be getting. It depends on the combination of these various allowances, that is all.

PN63

MR GILLINGHAM: Yes, I take that on board, your Honour. Now, your Honour, the only final thing is that we agreed that the operative date be the first pay period which commences on or after 29 August 2002 and remain in force for - - -

PN64

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That is right.

PN65

MR GILLINGHAM: This award was last varied in the May 2001 safety net adjustment with effect from the first pay period on or after 29 August 2001 and that was in an order your Honour's which was print number 908432 dated 31 August 2001, your Honour.

PN66

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Okay. Thank you, Mr Gillingham. All right. Thank you. Well, in relation to this matter, Mr Harnath has indicated that he will supply a copy of the order with all of the up to date amendments to each of the parties. I will provide each of the parties with - until 4 pm next Friday, 23 August, to advise my associate of any changes to the draft order.

PN67

Mr Cooney, you are to provide a statement as to service and a copy of the finalised order by 4 pm next Friday. Okay. Nothing further? We will adjourn that matter and I think that is the only one you have an interest in, Mr Gillingham, so I will say good morning to you.

PN68

MR GILLINGHAM: Good morning, your Honour.

PN69

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And I will deal with the WA matter so that Mr Dwyer can go.

C2002/3799

PLUMBING INDUSTRY (QUEENSLAND AND
WESTERN AUSTRALIA) AWARD 1999

Application under section 113 of the
Act to vary re safety net review -
wages May 2002

PN70

MR J. COONEY: I appear for the CEPU.

PN71

MR C. HARNATH: I appear for the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia.

PN72

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And in WA?

PN73

MR K. RICHARDSON: Mr Dwyer is not here this morning.

PN74

THE VICE PRESIDENT: I am sorry, Mr Richardson. Okay. Mr Cooney, this as with the last matter, is an application to vary the award to give effect to the 2002 Safety Net decision. Do you have a copy of the statement of service in respect of this matter? No?

PN75

MR COONEY: I am sorry, your Honour.

PN76

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Okay. Do you have a copy of the registered mail?

PN77

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour. The registered mail contained in these four pieces of paper which I have handed to your associate, and they are for all matters.

PN78

THE VICE PRESIDENT: All right. Well, as with this matter, I will require a copy of the statement of service. Do you have the calculation sheets?

PN79

MR COONEY: Not on me - yes, your Honour. Sorry. I will forward them to your associate.

PN80

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Did you see the notice of listing?

PN81

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN82

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And it says you are supposed to provide a copy of the draft order and calculation sheets prior to the hearing.

PN83

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN84

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Okay. Does the union give the offset - sorry, the commitment as to absorption as required by the principles?

PN85

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN86

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And I note the draft order includes an offsetting clause, though it is the one from the previous decision, but I take it that will be amended to reflect the 2002 decision.

PN87

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN88

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Mr Harnath?

PN89

MR HARNATH: Thank you, your Honour. Your Honour, we have - there is one point I forgot to raise prior to the previous matter. The allowances are all moved by a factor of 3.5 per cent - - -

PN90

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yes.

PN91

MR HARNATH: - - - as you have been advised. Approximately two years ago there was what has continued to be a confusion start at that time and in an endeavour to try and for the record purposes, to remind everybody where we start so that there is no loss for the record, how the figures are rounded off, Commissioner Harrison entered a memorandum of understanding and it is a document that we tender on each occasion so that parties as they change, from time to time, are still aware, therefore, of the basis of calculation. Your Honour, it also might help given the question that you asked of Mr Cooney, I can provide the Commission with my calculation sheets, although mine are done right across the industry so - - -

PN92

THE VICE PRESIDENT: No, that is fine. Mr Cooney can provide them in relation to each of the matters.

PN93

MR HARNATH: Okay. Your Honour, we don't oppose the making of the order that is before the Commission, the Queensland and WA Plumbing Award on the basis that it is commenced from the first pay period commencing on or after 29 August and of course, your Honour, the pre-requisite seven days as mentioned before.

PN94

THE VICE PRESIDENT: All right. So as I understand the position, you will provide each of the employer organisations with an interest in the matter with a copy of the up to date draft order and they will have until 4 pm next Friday to advise my associate of any changes or variations they have.

PN95

MR HARNATH: Yes, your Honour. Each of the parties that have expressed an interest today and on the previous occasion like it was last year, yes.

PN96

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Mr Richardson?

PN97

MR RICHARDSON: Thank you, your Honour. As a matter of housekeeping, I appear on behalf of the Master Builders' Association of Western Australia. We endorse the comments of Mr Harnath in connection with operative dates and receive the application with the assistance of the most recent decision of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission concerning the safety net adjustment and adjustment to the relevant allowances and are in accordance with the appropriate wage fixation principles of this Federal Commission, if the Commission pleases.

PN98

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Mr Richardson. Well, I indicate that I am satisfied that the application is consistent with the 2002 decision in relation to the settlement of the order and that the parties have until 4 pm next Friday, 23 August, to advise my associate of any changes to the draft order. Mr Cooney, you are to supply a statement as to service and the final draft order by 4 pm next Friday. On receipt of those I will issue an order operative from 29 August 2002. Thank you, Mr Richardson. I think that completes your interest in the proceedings, so we might dial you out.

PN99

MR RICHARDSON: Thank you, your Honour. Good morning.

PN100

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Good morning.

C2002/3794, 3798, 3796,
3800, 3797 and 3795

PLUMBING TRADES (SOUTHERN STATES)
CONSTRUCTION AWARD, 1999

GASFITTERS (QUEENSLAND) AWARD 2000

PLUMBING TRADES (MIXED INDUSTRIES)
AWARD 2000

PLUMBING INDUSTRY (VICTORIAN
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS,
INSTRUMENTALITIES AND PUBLIC
HOSPITAL) AWARD 2000

PLUMBING INDUSTRY (NEW SOUTH WALES)
AWARD 1999

THE SPRINKLER PIPE FITTERS'
AWARD 1988

Applications under section 113
of the Act to vary awards to
give effect to the Safety Net
Review, May 2002 decision

PN101

MR J. COONEY: I appear on behalf of the CEPU, your Honour.

PN102

MR C. HARNATH: I am from the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia. I appear in the matters 3794, 3796, 3797, and 3795, if the Commission pleases.

PN103

MS J. WHITECROSS: I am from the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on behalf VECCI and its respondent members in matters C2002/3794, and C2002/3796, if the Commission pleases.

PN104

MS J. WATLING: I appear on behalf of the Australian Industry Group in case number C3796 of '02, if the Commission pleases.

PN105

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Mr Cooney, in relation to each one of these matters, does your organisation give the necessary commitment as to the absorption of the increases sought?

PN106

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN107

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And in relation to each matter is the operative date sought no less - sorry. No less than 12 months since the award was varied for the 2001 decision?

PN108

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN109

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Okay. In relation to the Plumbing Industry (New South Wales) Award, there is a correction order by consent, which seeks to delete the amount of 74 cents appearing in clause 11.3.2, and inserting 72 cents in lieu. Do you agree with that correction order?

PN110

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN111

THE VICE PRESIDENT: All right. Everyone else agree. Yes?

PN112

MR HARNATH: Yes, your Honour.

PN113

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, on that basis I will issue that correction order. In relation to the draft orders, I don't have any comments on the Plumbing Industry (New South Wales) matter. In relation to (Southern States) Construction - well, in relation to each of them, the relevant offsetting clause will need to be changed to 2002. And there are no comments on the (Southern States) Construction. In relation to The Sprinkler Pipe Fitters' Award. Can I take you to two aspects of that? The Sprinkler Pipe Fitters' variation. Do you have that?

PN114

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN115

THE VICE PRESIDENT: If you go to 5, deleting the table in clause 11.1.7. Do you have that?

PN116

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour. Ordinary rate.

PN117

THE VICE PRESIDENT: See the rate under sprinkler fitter's adjustment? And sprinkler fitter's assistant.

PN118

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN119

THE VICE PRESIDENT: It is at 14.25.

PN120

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour. 14.72.

PN121

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Should be 14.72.

PN122

MR HARNATH: What?

PN123

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Right.

PN124

MR HARNATH: Wait a sec. Should be 14.70 - 25. It has been corrected.

PN125

MR COONEY: Sorry. Sorry. Yes, it should be 14.20 - - -

PN126

MR HARNATH: That is the - that is the orders you drafted up.

PN127

MR COONEY: That is right.

PN128

MR HARNATH: And that is a correction.

PN129

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Which one is corrected?

PN130

MR HARNATH: The correct amount, your Honour, is 14.25. It is - - -

PN131

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And that will have to appear - - -

PN132

MR HARNATH: In the - that will be - - -

PN133

THE VICE PRESIDENT: - - - in 3 as well?

PN134

MR HARNATH: 3?

PN135

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Or not?

PN136

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN137

MR HARNATH: Yes, your Honour.

PN138

MR COONEY: 14 - yes. 14.72 to 14.25.

PN139

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That should be 14.25 there?

PN140

MR HARNATH: Yes.

PN141

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Okay. And number 27. You see, by deleting the amount - I think that should be $413.30, rather than $413.38.

PN142

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour. That is correct, your Honour.

PN143

THE VICE PRESIDENT: That is the rate in the current award.

PN144

MR HARNATH: That has been corrected in the bundle provided today.

PN145

MR COONEY: Yes. Okay.

PN146

THE VICE PRESIDENT: All right. Those are the issues in relation to that one. In relation to Plumbing Trades (Mixed Industries) Award. Okay.

PN147

MR HARNATH: Your Honour, there was something that was picked up last evening in regards to the Mixed Industries, and I might refer to that now.

PN148

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Sure.

PN149

MR HARNATH: At variation 7.

PN150

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yes.

PN151

MR HARNATH: The - - -

PN152

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Calculation.

PN153

MR HARNATH: Each of the bases - the calculations are correct.

PN154

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yes. But the - - -

PN155

MR HARNATH: But the previous one, it - we - - -

PN156

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yes. It should be 577.25 times 52. 30,017.60.

PN157

MR HARNATH: We dropped - the order that was - the union used was off last Safety Net Review, of course. That has changed when the expense related ones were done in December as well.

PN158

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yes.

PN159

MR HARNATH: So we have updated that, and it is in the bundle that is provided today.

PN160

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Okay.

PN161

MR HARNATH: Yes.

PN162

THE VICE PRESIDENT: In the Victorian Government Departments, Instrumentalities, I think you are the only one with an interest in this, Mr Cooney.

PN163

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN164

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Can you have a look at the industry allowance? In item 11, where you have got the table there, you need to make sure that the rates here are consistent with those where you are varying the individual components. Have you got it?

PN165

MR COONEY: Sorry, your Honour. What was your - - -

PN166

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Item 11. See the table?

PN167

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN168

THE VICE PRESIDENT: See the industry allowance amount of $19.76?

PN169

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN170

THE VICE PRESIDENT: When you refer to item 7, it is $19.77.

PN171

MR COONEY: 7.

PN172

THE VICE PRESIDENT: You just need to make sure that - what this order does, essentially, is vary a number of allowance and the table aggregates them. You need to make sure - it is a point that has been picked up in the other ones - that it is consistent. Otherwise, it will just add to confusion. Okay?

PN173

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN174

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Similarly, if you have a look at the rates for drainer and plumber's labourer, the industry allowance is also there as well. Can you have a look at item 22. By deleting the amounts 53 cents. That should be 51 cents. The current award.

PN175

MR COONEY: Okay.

PN176

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And inserting, it should be 53 cents - - -

PN177

MR COONEY: 53 cents.

PN178

THE VICE PRESIDENT: - - - rather than 55, we think. And - no, that is fine. Okay?

PN179

MR COONEY: Thank you.

PN180

THE VICE PRESIDENT: So, in relation to each of the draft orders, in relation to those matters that Mr Harnath has an interest in, he will provide an up-to-date version of the draft order, and give that to each of the interested organisations. They will have until 4 pm next Friday to advise my Associate of any changes. Mr Cooney, your responsibility in relation to each one of these matters is to file a statement of service, and to file the final draft order that all the parties agree to. Okay? Nothing further. Well, I will adjourn those matters.

C2002/3798

GASFITTERS (QUEENSLAND) AWARD 2000

Application under section 113 of the
Act to vary the award re Safety Net
Review - Wages May 2002

PN181

THE VICE PRESIDENT: There is correspondence from the QCCI, indicating there are a number of amendments to the order to be made. And, as the order doesn't operate until December - was it 10 December?

PN182

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN183

THE VICE PRESIDENT: They say 20 December, not that - it seems - our records show the 20th.

PN184

MR COONEY: Okay.

PN185

THE VICE PRESIDENT: But, in any event, it is some time off. So in relation to this matter, who - obviously you are the applicant, Mr Cooney. Who else has an interest in it that is here? Nobody? All right. Well, what I propose to do is to adjourn that matter, and direct you to have - or direct you to confer with the Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It is a Ms Celia Doyle. And before we adjourn, do I take it that your organisation is prepared to give the necessary commitment as to absorption?

PN186

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN187

THE VICE PRESIDENT: And I note your draft order. It won't be necessary to call - to list the matter formally for hearing. But I do want you to confer with the QCCI, and advise me - send me a copy of the final agreed order, the calculation sheet, and the statement as to service.

PN188

MR COONEY: Yes, your Honour.

PN189

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Because I want to make sure that the relevant organisations have received a copy of the finalised order. Okay? If you can do that within the next four weeks. And we will clear that up, well in time for December. Okay. Nothing further? All right. Nothing further, I will adjourn.

ADJOURNED INDEFINITELY [11.28am]