Parata Hekia: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Parata Hekia: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
[Volume:656;Page:5645] 
HEKIA PARATA (National) 
: 
 Kia ora tatou. I am delighted to stand and make a small contribution to this estimates debate in respect of Vote Employment. I am delighted to follow on from the Minister who has provided us with a very rich context around the labour market at a time of deep recession which allows us to discuss some of the challenges that confront us today. She has also provided us with some very helpful statistical definition which can guide us in our consideration of the issues that face us. 
As we all know and as this Government in particular has been prepared to be seized of we are in a deep recession. We are also very aware of how important employment is not only as a contribution to growth and productivity— 
Sue Moroney 
: Talking the economy down. 
HEKIA PARATA 
: Perhaps if the member listened she might get the opportunity to learn a little about what this Government has taken 9 short months to contribute. National members waited 9 long years in Opposition and we heard nothing about such a contribution from the previous Government. This Government is very seized of the importance of employment not only in terms of its contribution to the economy but also in terms of the opportunity it gives for people to participate to increase their skills to add to their quality of life and also to support their sense of well-being and identity—all of which add value to the opportunity to be employed. This is the context in which this Government faces this recession. 
But we have not sat on our hands like the members who are now in Opposition did when they were in Government. We have invested in a number of ways. But we have not had the arrogance to assume that the issue is all about the role of the Government again unlike the previous Government. This Government under this Minister has been prepared to take leadership on this issue while understanding that there are other players involved such as business community organisations and iwi. We have been prepared to partner with those in the joint enterprise of getting this country back on track after the poor management the mismanagement by the previous Government which was peopled by the members who now sit on the benches opposite. 
We have understood that we need to soften the tough edges of the recession and we have done that through providing ReStart for which there has been an uptake of nearly 4000 people. These are people who need to see their way clear to regaining employment. We have also provided the Job Support Scheme which has helped firms to work through the tough times so that they can keep the staff they have and 32 firms have signed up to that. [ 
Interruption 
] You may well sneer but 32 firms with their collective employment— 
H V Ross Robertson 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I know that our colleague on the other side is a new member but she referred to “you” thereby bringing you into the debate. You as well as I know that that is not parliamentary and it is out of order. I ask the member to adhere to the Standing Orders and Speakers’ rulings. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: The point of order is upheld. I missed that; I was engaged in some dialogue. The member will mind her pronouns. 
HEKIA PARATA 
: Thank you for that helpful guidance. 
H V Ross Robertson 
: That’s all right. Any time. 
HEKIA PARATA 
: And I thank the member opposite. I am talking about substantial help if I can now revert to talking about what this Government has invested in in terms of stimulating the labour market providing the opportunity for employment and in particular focusing on a sector of the labour market that we are all passionate about and that this Minister in particular has set out to address and that is the opportunity for young people to be engaged in the labour market. 
The Government has recently announced its Youth Opportunities programme. It provides job opportunities for young people aged 16 to 24 who will have the opportunity to take up placements in workplaces and in businesses. We think we will be able to provide that opportunity to up to 4000 young people. Those 4000 young people belong to families whanau and communities and the opportunity that this package affords them also spreads to their families in terms of feeling better about the recession and supporting their young people to have exposure to the opportunity to work. We are creating up to 3000 new opportunities in Community Max which again engages with the community rather than patronising it. We are prepared to work with communities and to recognise that they have skills and that it is not all about the Government which again is a distinct change in the way we operate from the way the previous Government operated. We understand that we have to work with communities so I am pleased to support the Minister in this work in the employment area. Kia ora tatou.