5. Question No. 5—Workplace Relations and SafetyJAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and SafetyQuestion No. 5—Workplace Relations and Safety5. JAN LOGIE (Green) to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Will the Screen Industry Workers Bill restore rights that he says have been lost by people working in the film and television industry including collective bargaining rights removed under the previous Government; if so how? Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety): Yes. The bill restores screen workers' right to bargain collectively allowing workers and employers to negotiate binding terms and conditions across the industry and for individual productions. Alongside this workers in the screen industry will be entitled to protections against bullying and harassment unjust termination and a dispute resolution system. Everyone deserves decent work conditions and fair compensation for their work and this is just one more step in the Government's plan to build a productive inclusive and sustainable economy. Jan Logie: How did the process for developing this bill reflect this Government's commitment to involving unions and sector representatives in developing durable workplace protections? Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: The bill will enact unanimous recommendations from the parties representing the major players in the screen industry including unions guilds and producers. The parties worked together to create a tailored solution that worked for all participants. That is the way this Government works. There will always be a seat at the table for workers and businesses and they will always be carefully listened to. Jan Logie: Does he agree with former Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly that It was outrageous that the Government removed worker rights as it did" and does he believe that this bill honours her work and the thousands of workers who challenged the previous Government's "Hobbit law"? Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I do agree with Helen Kelly. The passage of the "Hobbit law" through all three stages under urgency on a single day in 2010 was a dark day for workers and for democracy. It was done to film industry workers with neither consultation nor care. In contrast we have developed an enduring solution by working with workers and the industry. That is the kind of industrial relations that Helen Kelly promoted. Dan Bidois: Can the Minister guarantee that the law changes won't result in any workers losing their jobs in the film and television industry? Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: We live in a dynamic open economy. I challenge that member to guarantee that anybody will keep or lose their job. Can he guarantee that Simon Bridges will still be the Leader of the Opposition next week? Jan Logie: How will the occupation-wide bargaining rights for film and TV contractors under this bill lay the foundation for better workplace conditions through fair pay agreements in other industries? Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: When the participants in an industry sit down together to work things out they can come to a much better solution than one that is imposed upon them. That is what this bill demonstrates and it's exactly the framework that we intend to create with fair pay agreements. Everybody wins when we all work together."