Robson Matt: Holidays Bill — Third Reading 
Robson Matt: Holidays Bill — Third Reading 
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Hon MATT ROBSON (Deputy Leader—Progressive) 
: 
 First of all I congratulate Margaret Wilson on steering through an important bill that covers so many aspects of holidays for employees and employers in this country. On the question of the 4 weeks’ leave I am very pleased that four parties in Parliament are supporting 4 weeks’ minimum annual leave as a recognition of the productivity and the contribution of so many low-paid workers in New Zealand including many in this building who service and work for us as members of Parliament. 
Mr Simon Power for the National Party has made a plea for the case for bringing that measure in earlier. I would have liked to see him convince his colleagues to vote for the amendment that would change the date to 2005. That support was not forthcoming. Therefore we should put aside the earnestness of what he is saying. He has also spoken of the fact that Mr Steve Maharey and other Cabinet Ministers were perhaps a little slow to the reform in the form it is in now. But Steve Maharey is a fast learner which is why he and not Mr Simon Power is the Minister of higher education. 
I also want to say that this debate is a chance to pay tribute to the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions and particularly engineers printing and manufacturing unions who led this campaign on behalf of their members—and I was pleased to work with them—and for getting out this postcard. There are a number left. I will sign them for members as a historic memento of the campaign to bring in 4 weeks’ leave. As well as that there are a limited number of posters here: “4 weeks’ leave”— 
Simon Power 
: Who paid for that? 
Hon MATT ROBSON 
: —which will be available too for members and they were paid for by the trade unions and by party funds that the Progressives put in as well. 
This is a reform that is well overdue. It brings us into line with our competitors particularly Australia and it is a recognition of the productivity of so many New Zealanders. 
Lastly I will say that in preparing for this debate I realised the importance of the work-life balance. I had a prize giving to attend for my younger son. It was important to me and I was able to take half an hour to go to that and delay coming to Wellington. It made me realise how many parents who want to attend those functions have to take time out of their precious annual holidays if they do not have flexitime to make it up as we members of Parliament do. 
Lastly in preparation for this I took out one of the press statements that was put out on this matter. On 7 November 2002 I said this: “Parliament will soon vote on whether every worker should have at least 4 weeks’ holiday a year. I am confident that Parliament will recognise the overwhelming support from working people and vote for the first reading. My bill will then go to a select committee for public submissions.” One year on I am pleased to say that we are now having the third reading and are about to pass this historic step. It is tribute to the four parties in this Parliament who have put themselves behind the ordinary working people of New Zealand who make such a contribution to our nations.