4. DARIEN FENTON (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Labour
What reports has he received on the importance of transparency in employment relations?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister of Labour) Link to this
I have received recent reports that show the National Party, in a partly secret agenda, would review the Holidays Act, especially the issue of relevant daily pay, even though Kate Wilkinson has already said that that would result in a reduction of pay for sick people. I have also seen, as part of the National Party’s partly secret agenda, that it will attack workers’ rights and introduce a fire-at-will provision. With those two items in the half-page of policy that has been released, we wonder what National members are hiding in the 33½ pages that they are keeping secret.
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I have seen many reports that go to the issue of transparency, or for that matter to the lack of it, to do with National’s attack on workers’ rights. Colin James, quoting John Key, said there was a 34-page agenda, but then John Key’s advertising team has been at pains to correct the media. The secret agenda is only 14 pages, but National still will not release it. Now what we want to know is: was there really a 34-page agenda that has been edited down to 14 pages, or was it just a case of John Key getting it wrong? The other point that has to be made, of course, is: why was he too chicken to have the media—
Madam SPEAKERThe member knows he is not to use that word. Yesterday it was ruled out of order. Would the member please just give his answer consistent with the Standing Orders.
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I hope that over the next 3 years as the Leader of the Opposition, John Key will develop the courage to let the media go to his Ōrewa speech.
Peter Brown
Rodney HideI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. You are very quick to jump on me and others if we decide to have some sideline comments about other MPs when asked to ask a question. Nothing was said about the deputy leader of New Zealand First, Peter Brown, doing that.
I assure the member I would never wish to jump on him. I do, however, note that I have also said in this House that when there are interjections they do create other interjections. Would members please settle.
Is he aware many casualised employers out there have seen a report indicating there could be some legislative protection; if he is aware of that, can he advise when such a bill might well emerge into this House?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
Over the next few weeks it certainly will be tabled, and hopefully it will receive its first reading and be sent to a select committee before the election. I do want to thank the member Peter Brown for being very open about the policy of New Zealand First in the employment relations area. It is a marked contrast to the 33½-page secret agenda that the National Party is hiding.