9. SUE MORONEY (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Immigration
Has he received any public comment on the recently announced policies for foreign fishing crews?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Immigration) Link to this
I have seen an editorial in the Dominion Post of Monday, 16 October, that warmly welcomes the foreign charter fishing crew policy the Government announced last week. In particular, it notes that it was the fishing industry’s failure to drive out the “cowboys” that prompted the Government to act and that we “should not be put off by the squawks of those who cannot see past their own bank balances.”
Why will the fishing policy announced by the Government protect and promote the New Zealand fishing industry over the longer term?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
The policy promotes human rights and decent labour conditions, thus enhancing the reputation of the New Zealand fishing industry. It also prevents a race to the bottom, whereby legitimate New Zealand operators are undercut by cheap foreign labour.
Peter BrownCan I take it from the Minister’s answer that he shares New Zealand First’s view that foreign fishing crews should be allowed only when it is proved that New Zealand workers are unwilling or unable to undertake the work, and does he also agree that adopting industry-wide minimum employment standards will encourage New Zealanders to do the work, which will reduce the reliance on foreign crews?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
It is a longstanding tenet of Government immigration policy that jobs should always be offered to New Zealand workers where they are available. Secondly, it is a longstanding part of Government policy that terms and conditions for foreign crews should be equivalent to those of domestic ones.
Tariana TuriaWould the Minister agree that the real concern for the minimum wages being paid to foreign fishing crews has more to do with undermining the Māori fisheries industry and assisting the Talley’s family to achieve cheap quotas and control of Māori fisheries because of that family’s relationship with politicians?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
It ill-serves a party that claims to represent some of the lowest-paid New Zealanders to be advocating that iwi fishing companies make a profit from the sweat of Third World workers being paid even less. The officials’ advice is that although there may be some economic impact on firms—[ Interruption]
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I have my speaker on high, I am trying to listen, and I cannot hear the Minister who is two benches behind me.
Madam SPEAKERYes, I know. I thank the member and I understand that that is also why the members were rising at the back of the Chamber. I ask the Minister, however, to just directly address the question.
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I will directly address the question, again. It ill-serves a party that claims to represent some of the lowest-paid New Zealanders to be advocating that iwi fishing companies make a profit from the sweat of Third World workers being paid even less—
So would I. I ask the Minister, please do not preface it with statements, but just get to the substance of the question.
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
Māori make up a significant percentage of the people working on fishing vessels, and it is important that their conditions are not undermined by allowing foreigners to do the work on substandard terms. The officials’ advice is that although there will be some economic impact on some firms, there is no evidence that iwi will be disproportionately affected.