Televised information campaign on workplace agreements to start tonight

15/9/94

A Government educational and information campaign, held over because of the Helena by-election, will start on commercial television tonight.

The campaign is the latest move to tell the public about workplace agreements.

It is a direct response strategy inviting people to call in the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations for advice.

The department will have 'flying squads' - advisory teams - ready to respond to any SOS from workers or employers.

Labour Relations Minister Graham Kierath said the television commercials would fill a need, one that was recognised even by the Opposition and unions.

"Market research shows that a high percentage of Western Australians know about the new system but many do not know how to use it," Mr Kierath said.

"The personal approach will help to overcome ignorance of the system.

"DOPLAR experts will go into the workplace to explain and guide."

The Minister said the campaign would run for two months combining television and press advertisements.

The overall cost of $179.500 was less than half the amount allocated in the 1994-95 Budget.

The two 30-second commercials used an animated technique known as 'claymation', where the figures are made from clay and then moved by using stop action camera work.

They were produced in Western Australia.

"The Opposition and the unions have asked us to publicise workplace agreements," the Minister said.

"These advertisements are completely apolitical, but in the spirit of co-operation we decided not to run them before the Helena by-election."

Mr Kierath said that workplace agreements were becoming increasingly popular because of their flexibility and the benefits they offered.

To the end of August, 8,077 employees had signed and lodged agreements for registration.

This represented an increase of 1,278 over July and was the best monthly result since the system was introduced last December.

Mr Kierath said the departmental adviser teams would be ready to go into action from today.

"Workers and employers will have the chance to have one-on-one briefings from the experts," he said.

"These briefing sessions will be backed up with a short instructional video."

Media contact:    Brian Coulter  481  2133   /   222  9595