EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE 1958.

No. 8 of 1958

	Terms and conditions of employment of apprentices in apprenticeship trades in the Australian Capital Territory are those presecribed for journeymen by the appropriate award of the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission, with the exception of rates of wages, which have been fixed by regulation under a power conferred by section 43 of the Apprenticeship Ordinance 1936-1950.  Other matters relating to apprentices such as their training and education are dealt with by the Apprenticeship Board.  Section 42 of the Ordinance was designed to make an award of a properly constituted industrial authority prevail over a provision in the Ordinance.

	It is thought, however, that the Commission is the appropriate body to fix rates of wages for apprentices, particularly as it may consider, at the same time, possible implications throughout the Commonwealth.  This amendment repeals section 43 of the Ordinance to remove any obstacle which may prevent the Commission exercising authority in this field.

	As the Commission, under powers conferred by the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, will then have power to deal with all industrial matters, section 42 becomes unnecessary, and is also being repealed.  The Apprenticeship Board will continue to deal with matters related to the training and education of apprentices.