Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Fenton Darien: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 18 July 2012. Volume:681;Page:3627. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
12. 
DARIEN FENTON (Labour) 
 to the  
Minister of Labour 
: Why has the Government not required the use of check inspectors in underground mines? 
Hon KATE WILKINSON (Minister of Labour) 
: 
 Because advice I have received is that check inspectors would not necessarily improve mine safety. A 2008 review of underground mining did not recommend check inspectors. Also advice given to the Labour Government back in 2007 did not recommend check inspectors. Indeed that report said: “Providing for a check inspector regime raises a number of difficulties” and that “the check inspector proposal is potentially in conflict with the scheme of the HSE Act more generally such as in its interaction with the duties of employers.” I presume this line of advice is also the reason why Labour did not institute check inspectors in its 9 years of Government. Having said that I note that the royal commission is considering this matter and is due to report back in September.  
Darien Fenton 
: Why is it acceptable that despite several dangerous incidents in underground mines since the Pike River mine disaster New Zealand laws and regulations remain essentially the same and the newly established High Hazards Unit has no decent standards to enforce? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! Before I call the Minister did the Minister hear the question because I must confess it was not—did the Minister hear the question?  
Hon KATE WILKINSON 
: I think the High Hazards Unit has actually proved its success as a $1.5 million investment. Even that member noted yesterday that the health and safety systems appear to have worked well at the Waihi goldmine. I think what is happening out there is that the High Hazards Unit is sending that very clear message that workplace safety matters. Can I also refer to a report by the Amalgamated Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union that says what we have got all of a sudden is a far higher threshold in terms of interpreting the current law in New Zealand. I think that is good news.  
Andrew Little 
: Mr Speaker—[ 
Interruption 
] When the members are ready. In light of the establishment—[ 
Interruption 
]  
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! Members can see that making comments like that is not that helpful to order.  
Andrew Little 
: Apologies Your Honour. [ 
Interruption 
] We are rehearsing on this side Mr Speaker. We are well-rehearsed. [ 
Interruption 
]  
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! The House has had its moment of fun.  
Andrew Little 
: In light of the establishment of the High Hazards Unit last year and its work with underground coalmines what action has it taken to ensure there are functioning health and safety committees and health and safety representatives at underground metalliferous mines as contemplated by the Health and Safety in Employment Act? 
Hon KATE WILKINSON 
: I think you will find that with the operation of the High Hazards Unit there has been increased interaction with worker representatives and I think the member will find that his own union actually states that safety standards in New Zealand are finally being taken to levels comparable with those in Australia. What I cannot understand though is why Labour members do not accept good news why they have to be negative all the time and why they have to say— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! I think that was not essential to answering the question at all.  
Darien Fenton 
: Why will she not listen to the miners including the Amalgamated Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union which after this latest incident in a series since the Pike River Mine tragedy has again called for check inspectors and urgent improvements to mine safety regulations? 
Hon KATE WILKINSON 
: As I have already said the royal commission of inquiry will be addressing the issue of check inspectors as will the independent task force that we appointed just recently to have a look into that matter. I await those considerations. But I have had suggestions that we could wait until the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy reports back. I have also had suggestions that the Government must act now. Both those suggestions have come from that member Darien Fenton. She cannot have it both ways.