XN000022-1984-07-11 — Page 22

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1984

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+WHAT IS NEEDED IS A CHANGE IN THE RULES SO THAT THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT MUST BE LAID BEFORE COUNCIL AND PUBLISHED BEFORE THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE HOLDS ITS PUBLIC SESSIONS. THE BILL ACCOMPLISHES THAT SIMPLE OBJECTIVE, HE SAID.

MR THOMAS SAID THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE GRATEFUL TO THE UNOFFICIALS ON THE PAC FOR ADVOCATING THIS MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF MORE OPEN GOVERNMENT AND THAT THE REFORM WOULD COMPLEMENT THE SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HELD MEETINGS IN PUBLIC.

+THAT REFORM HELPS PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE ADMINISTRATION SEEKS FUNDS FROM THE REVENUE FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES.

+THIS LATEST CHANGE WILL HELP PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE ADMINISTRATION IS CALLED UPON TO ACCOUNT FOR ITS USE OF THOSE FUNDS, HE SAID.

$100 LEVY ON BUSINESS REGISTRATION PROPOSED

****

A BILL SEEKING TO IMPOSE AN ANNUAL LEVY ON BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES TO FINANCE A PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE COUNCIL HEARD THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON J.N. HENDERSON, SPEAK ON THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE NEW FUND WOULD BE USED TO MAKE PROMPT PAYMENT OF WAGES OWED TO WORKERS BY EMPLOYERS WHO BECOME INSOLVENT.

THE BILL IS IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY WORKERS OF COMPANIES

IN RECEIVERSHIP, HE SAID.

THE GROUP'S REPORT WAS ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND ITS MAIN RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT THE INSOLVENCY FUND SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED, AND FINANCED BY AN INCREASE IN THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION TAX.

AT PRESENT MANY WORKERS HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE RECEIVING WAGES OWED TO THEM WHILE PROCEDURES ARE COMPLETED. ONCE THE FUND IS ESTABLISHED IT WILL BE ABLE TO STEP IN

IMMEDIATELY.

THE MAIN LEGISLATION IS BEING DRAFTED AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY, SAID MR HENDERSON.

/THE BUSINESS