8. Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) Link to this
to the Minister of Labour
What are her priorities for the period between now and 30 June 2009?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Leader of the House) Link to this
The portfolio priority is to move New Zealand towards having a labour market that helps New Zealanders get jobs, keep jobs, and earn higher wages. One initiative is to provide greater flexibility and certainty, and a review of the Holidays Act will be part of that process. The review will include the calculation of relevant daily pay and the question of whether to give workers the choice to trade their fourth week of annual leave for cash.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
What is the relationship between those priorities and the ones set out in the Prime Minister’s letter to her?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
I am more than happy to ensure that those letters are tabled in order that the member may make some analysis on his own.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
How does the Minister feel about getting a letter from the Prime Minister indicating that she has just over a month before a team he has selected will interview her in relation to her future as a Minister?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
Whatever information the member has to suggest that is complete and utter rubbish.
Hon Tau HenareHon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
The Government is committed to ensuring that mediation services are adequately resourced and that the independence of the Mediation Service is maintained. The Government understands—and so will members opposite—that when relationships in the workplace break down, even to the point of fisticuffs, there can always be redemption.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I have now finished my questions, and I do not think there are any further supplementary questions. I ask that the Minister follow through and formalise his undertaking to table the letter from the Prime Minister.
Mr SPEAKERThe Minister is at liberty to seek leave if he wishes to, but if the Minister was not quoting from an official document, there is no necessity to table it.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Will the Minister fulfil the undertaking given on her behalf in the House today by Gerry Brownlee that she will table the letter to her from the Prime Minister outlining his expectations of her?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
The Minister will consult Mr Brownlee about this particular matter. But there would seem little point in tabling it as the member appears to have the letter anyway.