Calder Cam: Employment Relations (Film Production Work) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Calder Cam: Employment Relations (Film Production Work) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Dr CAM CALDER (National) 
: 
 It is a huge pleasure to rise and talk about clause 4 of the Employment Relations (Film Production Work) Amendment Bill which clarifies a very important point. It clarifies a relationship. The lack of clarity on this relationship has affected and threatened the health and viability of an industry worth something like $2.8 billion to our country—$2.8 billion. It is not just about the skills in cinematography video digital sound and other technologies associated with this film but also about tourism. The worth of this industry is huge to our country. 
This Government is acting decisively to ensure the continued health of this vital part of our economy and safeguard the jobs of thousands of New Zealanders. For this reason I find it absolutely amazing to hear from the Opposition benches some of the stories that we have heard and some of the reasons they are putting forward to oppose this initiative. While we are considering relationships let us consider the relationship between those members opposite and the unions. They seem to be demonstrating once again their thraldom; the members opposite are dancing like puppets to the union tune and who is the Geppetto? 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. Did you hear what the member just said? 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: No. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I do not know whether I should repeat it. I think the member knows it is out of order and he should withdraw and apologise. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: If the member has made an inappropriate remark I ask him to withdraw the remark. 
Dr CAM CALDER 
: What is— 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: Did the member make an inappropriate remark? 
Dr CAM CALDER 
: Point of clarification Mr Chairman. What is the inappropriate remark? 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: There is a point of order that an inappropriate remark was made. I did not hear it but if the member made one—that is why I am asking— 
Dr CAM CALDER 
: I withdraw. Who is the Geppetto? 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. The member is continuing the same theme. He has already withdrawn the original comment but this whole line—that members are moving in other members’ directions— 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: Thank you. The member has just apologised and withdrawn the comment. Do not do it again. 
Dr CAM CALDER 
: Thank you for that point of clarification Mr Chair. 
We talked about the possible influence of union presidents: possibly the Amalgamated Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union’s new president Andrew Little and possibly the Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly. I stress that it is “Helen Kelly” not “Helen Keller” although it is Blind Week and I am proud to have made a donation to the cause. I suggest it is a case of the blind leading the blind. Union leaders and the Labour Party is a case of the blind leading the blind. At this point in time that could be any of those in Opposition who have spoken today. Given what they have been saying I will be keeping a close eye on their faces. 
I used to despair at the Labour Party; I have now given up all hope. How can Labour members stand in the Chamber arguing against a point of clarification that will save thousands of jobs in an industry that has brought benefits to our country? How can they do that? The film industry has brought huge collateral benefits in tourism and huge collateral benefits within the industry itself. The Labour Opposition is betraying the fact that it is still hidebound in ideology. A fresh idea is as rare as an Uzbek in the outback. 
We are talking about a simple point of clarification that has saved the health of an industry that is worth $2.8 billion to our country. Members opposite are railing against a simple point of clarification on whether somebody is an employee or a contractor. I have had the pleasure myself like the Hon “Tao” Henare— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Who? It’s Tau. 
Dr CAM CALDER 
: —like the Hon Tau Henare of serving in the role of an extra in the film industry. I must say it was a great experience. I met some fascinating people and was well reimbursed for a day’s work. 
I contend that a simple point of clarification in this amendment bill is totally appropriate and will save our film industry. Thank you.