Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:648;Page:17619] 
4.  
DARIEN FENTON (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Labour 
: What reports has he received on the importance of transparency in employment relations? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister of Labour) 
: 
 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. 
Darien Fenton 
: Has he seen any other reports on the importance of transparency in employment relations? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: 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 SPEAKER 
: The 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 
: 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 Orewa speech. 
Peter Brown 
: Keep your chin up fellas. 
Hon Member 
: Which ones? 
Peter Brown 
: Maybe I should say “Keep your chins up.” 
Rodney Hide 
: I 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. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: 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. 
Peter Brown 
: 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 
: 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.