11. SUE MORONEY (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Women's Affairs
Has she received any reports on the future of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister of Labour) Link to this
Yes. The Minister has received a report that states that the ministry is “a sexist relic” that the National Party “will extinguish”, and another report stating that it would be preferable for the ministry’s funding to be increased and for it to be given “more teeth”. The first report is from National’s Judith Collins, and second is from National’s Jackie Blue.
Yes, actually, I have. The ministry has provided valuable input into policies that benefit women and families, such as paid parental leave, Working for Families, pay and employment equity, and 20 hours’ free early childhood education. Those are all policies that National has opposed. National can say, for political reasons, that it supports the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the work that it does, but it is obvious that it does not support women’s issues. Its true attitude is shown in John Key’s statement last month: “We don’t have enough women in our caucus, so we’ve had to start cross-dressing.”, or Bob Clarkson informing us: “All guys should get married—we should all suffer the same amount.”
Madam SPEAKER
Hon George Hawkins Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I did not hear the last part of the answer because of all the noise. Could the Minister repeat it, please.
Hon Dr Nick SmithPlease be seated. Would both members please be seated. The Minister was asked for reports. As members know, those reports can in fact be given in the House. However, Ministers cannot comment on the internal matters of a political party. But the reports, if they are in the arena, are able to be included in the answer.
Gerry BrownleeI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. They may be able to be received, but they have to be reports that relate, surely in this case, to matters pertaining to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. I think that the Minister took considerable licence in straying away from that.
I think we will hear whether the Minister did stray, this time. Hon Ruth Dyson, please summarise the answer.
The final report I quoted was from Bob Clarkson, National member of Parliament, who informed us: “All guys should get married—we should all suffer the same amount.”