Dyson Ruth: Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Dyson Ruth: Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister of Labour) 
: 
 That last speech was just so ironic. It was extraordinary to hear that member Allan Peachey attack Sue Kedgley who introduced this bill because she based her consideration on a successful model in the United Kingdom. He was attacking her for that. That attack was from a member whose leader bases the way he breathes lives turns his head and looks at the gallery and in the mirror on the way that the leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom does. It is just extraordinary; every single thing that John Key does is based on what David Cameron does. Frankly I think it was very sensible of Sue Kedgley to ask where in the world they have done this in employment and got it right. What can we learn from them? How can we apply it to the New Zealand employment situation? That is exactly what she has done. 
I want also to commend the work of the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee. It is clear from its report back that on the purpose clause—clause 3—that we are debating this evening the select committee members struck out the original. It sounds like they did a lot of work on the bill and there are a lot of alterations which have good consideration behind them. The committee put in a new majority recommendation for clause 3 which we are considering now. I have two further amendments that I want to propose through my two Supplementary Order Papers. The first is in Supplementary Order Paper 148 and it changes the new clause 3(a)—to omit the words “certain persons” and replace them with “any person”. The reason is that I do not believe that the specificity and narrowness that was agreed by the select committee go far enough. I think that would cause tensions that can be avoided particularly in small workplaces. 
I have discussed the amendment with other party colleagues in the Chamber and it seems to have received some understanding and support. I want to express my appreciation for that. So that is the purpose of that amendment in Supplementary Order Paper 148. I want also to commend the Hon Lianne Dalziel’s Small Business Advisory Group which specifically raised this issue with me some time ago. I have taken the opportunity now to follow up its recommendation and put it in the Supplementary Order Paper. 
The second amendment I am proposing in my Supplementary Order Paper 153 is again to clause 3(a) but to a different line. The proposed amendment is to line 18 to remove the words “as to the period of their employment”. Members will see in subsequent amendments that I will discuss when we are into other clauses that that makes sense. In my view even though the recommendations by the select committee were well considered and were certainly supported by the majority of the select committee they do not go quite to the point that I think would give us the best satisfaction. 
The aim of this legislation is to promote work-life balance to ensure that employees are able to apply for jobs that are suitable for them. We know we have job vacancies and we have people who would like to apply for them but the jobs do not suit the hours they want to work. This bill will assist that mesh between employers and employees. It gives a legal back-up to something we know is happening in many workplaces already but in some it is not. This bill gives the trigger that will drive a change in practice. I think it will be very important for employees and employers. It will help many people to return to or go to a paid job. It will help many employers to fill the vacancies they have. Indeed the purpose of this bill is that people will be able to change their work hours when they have responsibilities that make that essential. 
I commend Sue Kedgley and also the rest of the select committee who have worked very hard with Sue. Sue has listened to the views of submitters. She has listened to the views of her parliamentary colleagues. I look forward to further debate this evening in the Committee stage of this bill. Obviously I also look forward to my Supplementary Order Papers 148 and 153 having the support of the majority of the Committee of the whole House.