Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 19 September 2013. Volume:693;Page:13545. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]5.DARIEN FENTON (Labour) to theMinister of Labour: Does he believe women should have equal pay to men for work of equal value?Hon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister of Labour): Yes. That is why it is outrageous that that member was replaced as junior whip by a man not as good as her.Darien Fenton: When he said that the Government may “intervene in the proceedings” in the Kristine Bartlett equal pay case where she is paid just $14.46 an hour as an aged-care worker what kind of intervention is he proposing?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: As that member well knows this party on this side has a very proud tradition in these things. We implemented law—same pay for the same work. At the moment we have a country where there is the lowest gender wage gap inthe developed world. But in relation to court cases as she should also well know it is not appropriate for me to comment on the substance of the case.Grant Robertson: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Although I appreciate that when the Minister finally got to his answer there he mentioned the court proceedings he has in the public arena stated that he has an intention to intervene and he should be able to answer on that matter.Mr SPEAKER: That is not a valid point of order. The Minister is perfectly entitled to say that the case is currently before the courts and on that basis he does not want to comment further.Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The Minister is indeed entitled to refuse to comment on the basis that something is before the court but the Opposition is entitled to question him on public statements that he has made which is what my colleague Darien Fenton did.Mr SPEAKER: I accept that point. Darien Fenton is certainly entitled to question the Minister and she did so. The Minister is then perfectly entitled to answer it and he answered it in a way that complies with the rules of this House. If the member wants to ask a further question if she has further supplementary questions I guess she can try again.Darien Fenton: Will he guarantee not to intervene with legislation to overturn Kristine Bartlett’s equal pay victory as his Government did in the family carers court decision?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: The member knows I have concern for vulnerable workers. Chris Hipkins is one of those at the moment. But those matters the member asked about are matters currently under consideration.Darien Fenton: Does he think it is acceptable that 60 percent of minimum wage workers are women; if not why will he not commit to allowing women equal pay following the Kristine Bartlett case?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Well of course it would be good if everyone received higher wages but I think we can be very proud that in this country we have the lowest gender wage gap in the developed world.Darien Fenton: Why is he proceeding with the changes in the Employment Relations Amendment Bill that will lower the pay and conditions of women workers such as Julie Reason a home support worker who earns $14.10 an hour less petrol per assignment who submitted to the select committee that his bill is going to make it even harder for her to earn a fair wage?Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Because I think it is important that we always look at arrangements and look at workers’ rights FranMold at the moment is one person—Grant Robertson: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The Minister might think that low pay is a laughing matter but that was a direct question that deserved a serious answer.Hon Gerry Brownlee: There is no reason to assume that the Minister was not giving a serious answer. The member in her question has quoted individual circumstances. It is not inappropriate that he quote some back.Grant Robertson: Sit down.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Oh look I will stay standing as long as you think you are the Chair Mr Robertson. At the moment—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I thank the member for his assistance. The question was relatively simple. It asked why the Minister was proceeding with changes to the Employment Relations Amendment Bill. If he could answer that we can all move forward.Hon SIMON BRIDGES: Well I think that it is important that we look at issues like Part 6A of the legislation. I am aware of proposals to see that extended to all workers and yet despite the Labour Party saying that and David Cunliffe saying that he has just given—Mr SPEAKER: Order! That is a sufficient answer.Darien Fenton: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was not about Part 6A; it was about the employment relations legislation and the pay and conditions of a home-care worker. It had nothing—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Your question started with asking why the member was proceeding with changes to that particular legislation. He has now finally addressed it.