IN THE TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

Industrial Relations Act 1984

This application lodged by the Commissioner of Police seeks to provide wage rates and appropriate conditions for apprentices in the Police Departmental Employees and Road Safety Officers' Award. Apprentices employed by the Tasmanian Police Department are currently not covered by an award of this or any other jurisdiction.

Mr Fisher appearing for the Commissioner of Police relied on Section 34(2) of the Industrial Relations Act (the Act) 1984 to support the application.

The provision reads:

"(2) The Commission shall make awards under this section so that provision is made in some such award for the classification of every State employee and every office or position in a Government department or of a State authority."

Only one apprentice a "Small Engine Motor Mechanic" is currently being trained by the Police Department. However a number of tradesmen of various categories are employed with the obvious potential for more and varying categories of apprentices being trained in the future. Apprentices trained within the Police Department have traditionally been retained as tradesmen and paid under the "General Officers" scale in the subject award.

Inclusion in the award of the agreed provisions affecting apprentices would not involve any change of existing rates or conditions. Mr Fisher submitted that the date of operation of any order should be from the date of the Commission's decision.

Mr Westwood intervening on behalf of the Minister in accordance with Section 27 of the Act supported the application. He also advised the Commission that the agreed provisions were consistent with those that applied to apprentices generally within Public employment.

Mr Philp for the Tasmanian Public Service Association indicated his agreement to the totality of the application.

Having regard for the above the award will be varied in accordance with the wishes of the parties. In so deciding I have given appropriate consideration to the requirements of the Act and the National Wage Principles.

The date of operation of the award variation will be the first pay period commencing on or after 19 September 1985.

The order varying the award is an appendix to this decision.

J G King
COMMISSIONER