TREASURER Peter Gutwein has not ruled out making changes to his government’s pay freeze legislation when it is scrutinised in the upper house next week.
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Labor and the Greens voted against the controversial bill late on Thursday night, but the government used its House of Assembly majority to push the legislation through.
MLCs are now responsible for the fate of the freeze, with several indicating that they cannot vote for the legislation underpinning the measure in its current form.
Mr Gutwein said he would discuss any concerns that Legislative Councillors had during briefings next Wednesday and Thursday.
But the Treasurer said MLCs must understand that the wage freeze was an essential savings strategy of the budget.
‘‘It is important that we maintain the integrity of the budget, and any discussions with the Upper House would be in that context,’’ Mr Gutwein said.
A number of MLCs expressed concern that while the government insists the pay freeze will thaw after 12 months, the wording of its legislation allows the measure to extend indefinitely.
Western Tiers Independent Greg Hall said he intended to add a sunset clause to the pay freeze, with salary settings returning to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission once the state’s budget bottom line improves.
‘‘Even though the government say the pay freeze is for one year, it really is open-ended,’’ Mr Hall said.
‘‘Should the legislation get past second reading speeches, I will be moving to include a 12-month end date.’’
The bill may not reach that stage any time soon, with several MLCs disappointed to receive another piece of legislation lacking ‘‘the benefit of a full lower house debate’’.
Rumney Independent Tony Mulder said the government should not be surprised if the bill was sent to a select committee for proper scrutiny – a view shared by Murchison Independent Ruth Forrest.
Labor Leader Bryan Green said it was embarrassing that the Legislative Council had been left to ‘‘fix (the government’s) mess’’.
Mr Green said the wage freeze legislation was flawed and its principle could not be ‘‘amended away’’.