Ardern Jacinda: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeArdern Jacinda: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 09 March 2016. Volume:711;Page:9509. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]4.JACINDA ARDERN (Labour) to the Minister for Small Business: Does he agree with the statement made by Hon Bill English in the House yesterday regarding Fonterra’s policy of paying small businesses up to an additional 61 days late that “these are freely transacting people doing business. Any party to the transaction is able to choose whether the terms are suitable for them or not”?Hon CRAIG FOSS (Minister for Small Business): Yes. I also agree with the Minister’s statement in the House yesterday that it would be unacceptable if it was outside the current legislative requirements. But I note for the House that although Fonterra may be meeting its legislative and contractual commitments it is my expectation that Fonterra and all New Zealand’s large businesses deal reasonably and fairly with New Zealand small businesses.Jacinda Ardern: Does he believe as Bill English does that small businesses currently contracted by Fonterra are genuinely in a position to choose the terms that are suitable for them without risking losing the work that they have?Hon CRAIG FOSS: I am not sure whether that member correctly understood what Mr English was saying yesterday but I do note that companies in New Zealand—Kiwi businesses large companies—I am sure value their reputation as fair and reasonable Kiwi businesses. The court of public opinion will I am sure judge those businesses on their behaviour in the market.Jacinda Ardern: Would it be acceptable for a Government department to pay a small business 61 days after receiving an invoice when in 2009 the then State services Minister Tony Ryall directed departments to pay their bills on time or earlier?Hon CRAIG FOSS: I am sure that that would be the exception because across Government post the 2009 commitment from Mr Ryall by and large the payments from the Crown to small businesses have improved markedly over that period.Jacinda Ardern: What action then will he take against the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment—his own department—responsible for small business which in 2014-15 paid a whopping 24 percent or 11158 of the invoices it received late?Hon CRAIG FOSS: The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment is not my department but I understand the member’s question. What is actually more important for New Zealand businesses is the cost of the cash flow that they fund. If the ministry is in fact paying some invoices late it should address that; it should look at that. I am sure that the Minister responsible will be quite interested in that. But what is most important is that the cost of funding cash flows for New Zealand small businesses is probably half of what it was just in 2008 when that member’s party was in Government.Hon Dr Nick Smith: Did the Leader of the Opposition set a good example—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! The question is not in order.Jacinda Ardern: What specific action will he take as the Minister for Small Business against the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet ACC and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment which have all had significant records in late payment including the State Services Commission which issued a letter to all chief executives instructing them to pay on time and model prompt payment?Hon CRAIG FOSS: As a Minister as a taxpayer and as an advocate for small business I would encourage all participants—Government ministries agencies State-owned enterprises—to pay in a reasonable and fair time.