9. Question No. 9—Workplace Relations and SafetyCHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and SafetyQuestion No. 9—Workplace Relations and Safety9. CHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Has the Government commenced a fundamental review of the design of the [COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme]" and what changes if any is the Government contemplating to the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): The Government has made and announced the changes resulting from its reconsideration of the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme. The short-term absence payment commenced on 9 February. This new payment has been very successful and in just one month we have already approved 4770 applications under that scheme. This payment now applies to any worker who cannot work from home but needs to stay at home while they are waiting a COVID-19 test result. The member can find details about the scheme and how to apply on the Work and Income website.Chris Bishop: Is the Government considering policy to compensate people who are asked to self-isolate at home at 100 percent of what they were earning before being asked to self-isolate and if not why not?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: We're not currently considering a policy of the nature that the member describes. The Government is providing considerable support to employers and employees including through the Short-Term Absence Payment and the COVID Leave Support Scheme. But we'll keep a watching brief on this situation as we have throughout the COVID-19 period. In fact I think one of the successes of the Government's response to COVID-19 is that we've been willing to continuously review the support measures that we've put in place as evidenced by the recent changes to the Short-Term Absence Payment (STAP) scheme.Chris Bishop: Has he seen the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) advice which stated that people who cannot work from home and who don't have sufficient paid leave may face a financial penalty by self-isolating and if so why will the Government not move to increase the amount of money given to workers who are asked to self-isolate?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I've seen the full range of advice provided by MBIE to the Government on these matters. As I've said we'll continue to keep that under review but we are offering significant support and the evidence from the fact that in just one month we've had 4770 people take up the STAP scheme—those are employers—suggests that it is hitting the mark. I also note other advice from MBIE which makes this point and I'll quote directly from the advice that the proposed suggestion of paying directly to employees is considerably more complex and "would likely not be implementable in the short term and would raise complex policy issues that would need to be worked through in detail and the changes would likely require legislative support." Again one of the successes of the Government's COVID-19 response has been that we've been able to stand up support quickly and get it through to employers and employees. That's what we've been able to do with the STAP scheme. But again I don't rule out further changes if those are justified in the future.Chris Bishop: Why does Government policy currently entitle workers who are asked to self-isolate to money less than the minimum wage rate that has to be applied for by their employer?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I have a quote here which I'll read to the House. It's from Gabby Adds who is from Employsure New Zealand's largest workplace relations adviser and this was in response to the STAP scheme. She said "Business owners have a key role in helping restart economic growth in the country. I believe small short-term payments are a step in the right direction that will help put us back on track." I think what Ms Adds is getting to in that comment is consistent with the Government's position which is that there is a role for everyone in making this work. Yes there is a role for the Government in providing support to employers. That's what we do through the Leave Support Scheme and the Short-Term Absence Payment scheme but there is also a role for employers in making sure that people have got access to their full employment entitlements including sick leave and there's a role for employees in terms of staying at home when they're unwell. It isn't simply all on Government to pay every dollar to cover every cost that emerges because of COVID-19 but we are there providing significant support and we'll continue working with employers to achieve that."