3. Question No. 3—EmploymentHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of EmploymentQuestion No. 3—Employment3. Hon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Employment: Is he confident his Government is bringing Mana in Mahi"; if so how?Hon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister of Employment): Can I first of all thank that member for such a wonderful question. We're so pleased that the member is so interested in this Government's employment initiatives. So to answer the first part of the question absolutely I'm confident in our Mana in Mahi programmes which aim to help young New Zealanders into real jobs and ensure they gain valuable sought-after skills and qualifications. To address the second part of the question since phase one of Mana in Mahi was announced in August we have received an overwhelming response from small to medium sized employers that have indicated they want to participate in the programme. I will be working closely with the Hon Shane Jones and the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to support our people with a $1 billion fund in the regions. Kia ora.Hon Paula Bennett: Is it bringing "Mana in Mahi" to support an employer who has gone through hell over the last few weeks and wants to get on with the job and does he think the employee might also have gone through hell?SPEAKER: That may be the responsibility of Mr Lees-Galloway but it's not the responsibility of this Minister.Hon Paula Bennett: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I asked in my primary question about Mana in Mahi and have been careful actually to go through and check it off against the responsibilities of the portfolio responsibilities which are around the functioning of the labour market.SPEAKER: And then the member asked a question on industrial relations.Hon Paula Bennett: What message does he think it sends to young people who are looking for work when an employer with all the power is supported and believed ahead of an employee?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Well that's not a good message.Hon Paula Bennett: Does he believe supporting an employer over a victim without having read an incident report and relying just on the word of an employer brings mana to mahi and improves labour market conditions?SPEAKER: I'll just say "ibid" for my previous ruling.Jo Luxton: What has the response been from employers following the launch of phase one of Mana in Mahi?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Kia ora. Thank you for the question. I'm happy to inform the House today that so far during phase one of Mana in Mahi there have been 66 employer contacts created. The range of negotiation that is taking place ranges from general interest and eligibility queries through to finalising contracts. There are two contracts signed with Wellington Hospitality Group and Vivo and we are in contract negotiations with two national employers and three regional employers. The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has also had discussions with 14 other organisations. They're a mix of industry training organisations associations and recruitment agencies. To finish off we will be making a further announcement over the next few weeks alongside Downer Construction in Auckland.Hon Paula Bennett: Would he expect in his Mana in Mahi programme if an employer is in an incident with an employee that they might actually apologise to that employee?SPEAKER: No no. Again it's not the Minister's responsibility.Hon Paula Bennett: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The question was actually in the context of an employer in the Mana in Mahi programme for which the Minister is responsible.SPEAKER: Yes and the Minister is responsible for the programme and for the financial support of the programme. He is not responsible for the industrial relations part of it. That is the responsibility of Mr Lees-Galloway.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In this instance would the Minister be responsible for the expectations and outcomes from the programme?SPEAKER: He might well be.Hon Paula Bennett: Just speaking to the point of order—SPEAKER: No I've dealt with the point of order—there isn't one.Hon Paula Bennett: Well I just want to check for the future if I'm asking a question sir—is what I'm checking.SPEAKER: Well the member can have a go.Hon Paula Bennett: So if in the future we have an incident with young people in one of the Mana in Mahi programmes and there are incidences with the employer and they've placed young people in it will we not be able to ask questions on that?SPEAKER: That will be in the end a matter for the Government as to who answers the question. My expectation would be if it's an industrial relations matter that the Government would transfer it to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety but that is their decision not mine.Hon Paula Bennett: In his Mana in Mahi programme does he expect the young people that are placed in that programme to be safe and be under all employment relations legislation?Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Absolutely."