Gudgeon Bill: Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Gudgeon Bill: Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:621;Page:16562] 
BILL GUDGEON (NZ First) 
: 
 Is it not ironic that we have a bill before the House that gives some form of benefit to one sector of the community while others are denied the same opportunity and privilege? Is it not ironic that a Supplementary Order Paper presented to the House that even the select committee did not refuse has been reassigned to be disposed of? Is it a sign of the future that we are not given the opportunity to speak on amendments presented? That smells of disrespect—or should I say dictatorship. We in New Zealand First have been told that we cannot speak to our amendments so the self-employed—a very hard-working sector—are being denied the same opportunity as employees. 
The title of this bill should be changed to the “Employee Parental Bill” because my understanding of the word “parent” is that it covers all people who have fathered and mothered children irrespective of their social status and employment. 
The Social Services Committee received 11 submissions on the bill the majority being in support of its general intention. Many of those who generally supported the bill wished to see some aspects changed. One suggested change included extending the legislation to cover self-employed women. If this Government has any future intention of including the self-employed I ask when that will happen. 
Initially New Zealand First was in the frame of mind to support the bill subject to the amendments being included. We have now had a change of heart because of the unfairness to a very strong competitor in the economic structure of this country. New Zealand First is very disappointed with the result of the readings of this bill. However I say to fair-minded listeners out there that the opportunity for their participation will come their way. 
New Zealand First in all sincerity—even at this stage of this Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill—exhorts this minority Government to reconsider the present position and include the self-employed in this legislation. If international human rights allow that to happen what are the rights of our women who are self-employed? What about farmers’ wives and those who are running small businesses as has been noted? 
Self-employed people are also family people. If United Future supported my Supplementary Order Paper why does it support this bill as it now stands? That is something to think about. This bill provides some form of benefit. Why is that not extended to families who really contribute to the tax take of this country? 
New Zealand First also recognises parents who are in the process of adopting children. That was one of the amendments we wanted to speak on but that was never taken into consideration. New Zealand First is really disappointed. We thought the Labour-led Government would look at the amendments and consider including self-employed people in this bill. When we look at mothers who struggle—who already have families at the same time as they give birth to the future generations of this country—we ask why they are being left out. 
Who is responsible for not allowing a hearing for our amendments? I asked that question yesterday. Yes I really did but as of today we have not received a reply. We have all heard that this bill is for only one sector of the people—maybe all those who belong to a union? I am not quite sure. If they belong to a union is that why the Government is chasing those employees only? 
New Zealand First looks at the broad spectrum of families throughout the country. We have heard remarks about how beautiful this country is. What about the people who reside in this country? Are they not the ones who make it beautiful? Are they not the ones who contribute to the tax take and to the GDP of the country? Why are they not being taken into consideration? When New Zealand First hopefully becomes part of the Government or becomes the Government this policy will change to include every citizen of this country who meets the criteria. 
I thank members for listening and I tell those in the Government to take heed. They are denying people who have families who work hard and who are entitled to the same treatment as those they purport to support from being included in this bill.