Sabin Mike: Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Sabin Mike: Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 27 March 2013. Volume:688;Page:9018. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
MIKE SABIN (National—Northland) 
: 
 I am not quite sure what the previous speaker Andrew Williams was going on about. If he could possibly send me a text at 2 o’clock in the morning I will take time to look over it. Coming back to the Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Bill I just want to acknowledge David Clark and the work that he has done on this. Although I am new to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee I also acknowledge the select committee and just reflect on the fine balance that I think is reflected here. I have listened very carefully to the contributions from across the Chamber and mine as I spoke to previously does reflect very much my view that the servicemen in particular on Anzac Day tip that balance in favour of voting against this bill. That is certainly where my position comes from and from the reverence and importance of that day in commemoration. I wholeheartedly endorse the comments of Simon O’Connor in that regard. 
I actually believe that members across the Chamber—certainly the Labour Party—also share with us in that. I just want to reflect on a couple of points from former Labour Party members of Parliament. One Minister of Maori Affairs Matiu Rata said: “Like Anzac Day New Zealand Day is not to be Mondayised. It is the significance of the occasion that is important rather than the fact that it is to be a paid public holiday. It should not be regarded as merely an extra paid holiday”. That was one Matiu Rata who made that comment. Another former Minister of Internal Affairs one Hon Mr Henry May said: “The Government believes the Mondayising of  
New Zealand Day 
 … would detract from the importance and significance of the event it commemorates.” Another former MP Mr Reweti said that the committee considered that it was justified in declaring that Waitangi Day should not be Mondayised because the Labour Party had gone to the electors in 1972 on the policy that Waitangi Day would not be Mondayised. Those were the heady days of the Labour Party—the working man’s party—that we remember but I do not necessarily believe that they are represented in the Chamber here today. 
We go on. Another former MP one Mr Marshall said: “I believe that it would greatly detract from the observance of the New Zealand Day for it to be Mondayised and turned into just another long weekend.” I think it is quite clear that there is a shift in the modern Labour Party if I could call it that from the traditional values that were held. I believe that those traditional values are actually held across the country and are something that we should reflect on in this Chamber. Certainly I do so in being quite happy to oppose this bill.  
We go on. There are actually other consequences to this bill and those are consequences of a financial nature. Although there may be some in tourism who would welcome it there will be many other businesses that are in a position where they are actually losing on the deal if you like. Again it is about a balance and being fair and reasonable but also understanding that businesses have to make a dollar and it is a tough environment in which to do that. The member introducing this bill is the same member who would have us have a minimum wage of $15—the same member would have us have a minimum wage of $15. There are many businesses that would start going to the wall in that circumstance. We also look at this party which would cancel the 90-day trial period that has been so successful. I just wanted to comment on the context around the financial constraints and the fact that this bill as it stands will have a financial implication which should be considered in the mix. Although the member introducing it as I said would like to see a minimum wage of $15—and let us throw a capital gains tax or two in there just for good measure—it is not something that will be missed in 2015 when this bill comes into play first of all.  
I just want lastly to reflect on those veterans who have served this country. We should all be proud of them and lest we forget the contribution they have made to this country and to the world we live in today. 
Clauses 1 to 8 and schedules 1 to 3 agreed to. 
Bill to be reported without amendment presently.