SpeechIBRAHIM OMER (Labour): Thank you Mr Speaker. We've heard countless speeches from the Opposition. There is no one single word of promise about what they can do for working people for essential workers who got us through the dark times of two years of the pandemic. Of course they don't have a plan. Everything is about business business business! Of course we don't have problems with business—our Government our Prime Minister and our finance Minister have engaged with business more than any other Government has in the past.On this side of the House we are the Government for all New Zealanders with no exception. Which is why at the heart of our economic recovery from COVID-19 plan is our people. We are rolling out policies that will put more money in the pockets of hard-working New Zealanders to make our economy more resilient during the current cost of living crisis. Our 1 April changes saw an increase in the minimum wage bringing it up to $21.20. That is about $4.70 since 2017 when we came into Government. This year that's going to put about $48 a week into the pockets of hard-working full-time low-paid workers. The increase in minimum wage will actually benefit around 300000 workers; the same workers that the Opposition always—always—love to overlook. But on this side when it comes to securing our recovery we know that the National Party is all about rich people and it's all about cutting taxes for top earners—they are only about 3 percent of the population. Can the National Party tell us what their plan is for approximately 300000 low-income New Zealanders who work tirelessly and drive our economy who have also been carrying us through this pandemic time? The sacrifice of all the essential workers throughout the pandemic many of them are on the minimum wage.We hear from the National Party over and over again that the increase in minimum wage is a problem for business. I can quote them. Christopher Luxon said that he wanted to cut tax so he can reduce debt and spending. Basically what they want to do is they want to take their cake and they want to eat it.We hear from the National Party over and over again arguments about support for the businesses; nothing for working people. The National Party are all about no increase in minimum wage; removing Labour Day; no fair pay agreement (FPA); and instead of the FPA spreading disinformation and scaremongering about it. That's a shame. On this side of the House we don't leave anyone behind; we are for everyone. We intend to look after everyone whether that's a low-paid worker or—we're not even overlooking business.The Hon Paul Goldsmith when he was the National Party finance person said that when they came into Government they would suddenly start to stop that—the next minimum wage if they were elected to power. That's a concern for businesses struggling.The Hon Scott Simpson said We … want to see sustained wage growth but sharply increasing the minimum wage during a period of extreme uncertainty for small businesses is economic vandalism". On this side of the House over and over we've proven that we are for all Kiwis no matter who they are—whether they are top earners or they are low earners. We are the Government for the people. It's about the people. Thank you Mr Speaker."