10. Minimum Wage—Effect of IncreaseHon SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and SafetyMinimum Wage—Effect of Increase10. Hon SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Does he stand by his statement on Q+A in respect of New Zealand businesses if a small change to the minimum wage is going to be that detrimental to them they don't sound resilient"?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): Yes in the context of the question I was answering when I made it.Hon Scott Simpson: How many jobs will be lost as a result of what he calls "businesses coming and going" because they are unable to afford increases in the minimum wage and other Government-imposed compliance costs?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: That's a hypothetical question and—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Order! Order!Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: That's a hypothetical question.Hon Scott Simpson: When he said "businesses need to be resilient." what is the Government going to do to help small businesses other than to tell them to harden up?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: This Government is making changes to our tax system to make it fairer and work better for businesses. This Government is investing in research and development tax credits to support high-productivity businesses and this Government has a regional development growth fund to support businesses in the region. This is a Government that is very active in supporting businesses around the country and it's a good thing we finally got one.Kieran McAnulty: Does the Minister agree with Mike Hosking who said last week "Isn't that the point of economic expansion and success the money and profit gets spread about the place?"Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Yes. I find myself in the unusual position of agreeing with Mike Hosking. I also agreed with him when he said "maybe it's time we shake off the low wage economy tag and start handing out the dosh; maybe it is time for a pay rise."Hon Grant Robertson: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Would it be true to say that the Minister's answer proves the adage that even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day?SPEAKER: That could well be true although the Minister is clearly not in the—no I think we'll leave that. But I will say it was not a point of order and for that reason the Opposition will have two additional supplementary questions. Hon Scott Simpson: Does he think his weekend comments that "a lot of businesses come and go" support the Prime Minister's commitment that "I'm interested in how we can ease the burden on small businesses in particular"?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I'm advised that it is absolutely a fact that businesses come and go. In fact just a quarter of the businesses that started 10 years ago still exist today. It's called capitalism—I thought that member would understand that.Kieran McAnulty: Does he agree with Richard Prebble that the response to these changes from business has been hysterical?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I think that was a bit unfair of Mr Prebble to say that although those comments do fit the Opposition perfectly.Hon Scott Simpson: What does he say to hard-working small-business owners and operators employing staff and often earning less than their employees—that they must simply absorb all increased Government-imposed costs or go bust?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I have more faith in them than that member does clearly because I believe they are resilient they are strong they are adaptable and that as this Government leads us to a more productive sustainable and inclusive economy they will be on that path with us."