2. CHRIS TREMAIN (National—Napier) Link to this
to the Member in charge of the Employment Relations (Probationary Employment) Amendment Bill
How does the probationary employment period established in the Employment Relations (Probationary Employment) Amendment Bill compare with the view of the Small Business Advisory Group on the importance of probationary employment periods?
Dr WAYNE MAPP (Member in charge of the Employment Relations (Probationary Employment) Amendment Bill) Link to this
The Small Business Advisory Group, which reports directly to this current Government, stated in recommendation 19 that a grievance-free probationary period was the single most important measure to reform New Zealand’s employment laws to enable them to boost employment, growth, and productivity.
What reports has the member seen regarding actions taken by the Government in response to the much-advocated Small Business Advisory Group’s strong recommendation for a probationary employment period?
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am afraid that questions to a member must be in relation to a matter the member is in charge of. The member is not responsible for the Government’s actions.
Madam SPEAKERI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The question was in relation to any reports I have received. That, surely, is within order, because it stems directly from the primary question.
The question has to relate to the bill. If the member would like to rephrase his question so that it relates to the bill only—which is what the member is responsible for—I will take it.
What reports has the member, seen in relation to his bill, regarding the actions taken by the Government in response to the much-advocated Small Business Advisory Group’s strong recommendation for a probationary employment period?
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I am afraid that the member still has not managed to rephrase the question to avoid the issue raised in the first point of order on the first supplementary question.
Hon Dr Nick Smith Link to this
Chris Tremain was very careful to refer to reports in respect of my colleague’s bill. I draw to the attention of the House that almost every single day I hear questions to Ministers about what this National MP might have said or what the good Leader of the Opposition might have said. Provided that members ask about what reports the Ministers have received—despite the fact that the topic may be way beyond their responsibility—you have ruled that that is allowed. If it is good enough for a Minister in charge of a portfolio to be able to comment on reports from National members, surely it is possible for Wayne Mapp to be asked what reports he has received, in relation to his bill, about what the Government has done in response to the Small Business Advisory Group.
I thank the members for their contribution. Members can, of course, under the Standing Orders put questions to non-Ministers, but these are very narrowly based, unlike questions to Ministers. If members want to ask such questions, they must bring themselves within the Standing Orders. I will move on to question No. 3. [ Interruption] No, I have moved on to question No. 3.