Pillay Lynne: General Debate 
Pillay Lynne: General Debate 
[Volume:642;Page:12016] 
LYNNE PILLAY (Labour—Waitakere) 
: 
 That speech was appalling. I do not want to be too critical about members on the other side of the House; I want to say something positive. I was really concerned that we were not going to hear one woman speaker from the National Party but we did. I acknowledge that Judith Collins despite some of her views is a woman. I say one teensy thing though while she is throwing around criticisms about emails or comments made. I refer to the comment made by Bill English in an email which stated that Judith Collins was promoted far beyond her capability and that she believes her own publicity. 
I am really proud that on Suffrage Day the Labour Party has such a great line-up of women speakers. I am proud to be part of a Government that has the first elected woman Prime Minister. You know I remember when I was a unionist—which is something that is always slagged off by the people opposite—campaigning for things like paid parental leave 4 weeks’ holiday fair employment laws early childhood education interest-free loans affordable doctors visits the return of apprenticeships health and safety laws equal employment opportunities pay equity and increased income for families. 
I remember working really hard under a National Government to get those things on the agenda. Did we get those things on the agenda? No we did not. The first act of the National Government coming in was to scrap the pay equity legislation that had been introduced by the Labour Government. It also scrapped the Apprenticeship Act. It then introduced the dreaded and horrible Employment Contracts Act. We remember those dark years under the Employment Contracts Act. 
What has Labour done for women in New Zealand? Labour has introduced the following: paid parental leave which was opposed by the National Party; 4 weeks’ holiday which was opposed by the National Party; fairer employment laws seeing wage growth particularly for women workers which were opposed by the National Party; improved health and safety which was opposed by the National Party; interest-free loans which were opposed by the National Party; the return of apprenticeships which was opposed by the National Party; cheaper health-care under primary health organisations which was opposed by the National Party; equal employment opportunities for women which was opposed by the National Party; Working for Families bringing money into families’ pockets which was opposed by the National Party; and KiwiSaver providing money for Kiwis homeownership and retirement which was opposed by the National Party. 
Then we see a report on the performance of this Labour-led Government that commends us for our women’s action plan for Working for Families and for 20 free hours’ early childhood education which—I did not mention before—was also opposed by the National Party. Why? Because National has no interest in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women or its reports which National belittles and degrades. Wayne Mapp stood in this Chamber and made derogatory comments about the convention. We know that Judith Collins does not even see a need for a Ministry of Women’s Affairs. It is appalling. 
Later today I want to commend Sue Kedgley for her Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Bill. We are having a debate about flexible work hours. What a great thing to have on Suffrage Day. Who are the prime benefactors of flexible work hours? Women. That is what is so great about the bill. Guess what? The bill is opposed by the National Party. That is appalling. It is appalling that we stand in this Chamber look opposite and see a group of mostly tired tired men—and some women. They all support policies that do not promote or support women in this country. Members should compare that with the forward-thinking supportive policies of this Labour-led Government. I am proud on Suffrage Day to be a woman to be part of a union movement that has fought for the rights of women and to be part of a Government that supports their points of view.