2. Economic Programme—Family Incomes Package and PerformanceJONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister of FinanceEconomic Programme—Family Incomes Package and Performance2. JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on real after-tax wages rising in New Zealand?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Finance): Average after-tax wages have increased 33 percent while consumer prices have increased only 14 percent since December 2008. This compares with the period between 1999 and 2008 where New Zealanders' real after-tax earnings improved by just 5 percent over that entire period. Furthermore from 1 April next year Kiwis will benefit from the $2 billion Family Incomes Package in Budget 2017 which increases after-tax pay and provides additional income-related support. The Government's strong economic plan is helping New Zealanders get ahead whether it is helping people raise their kids or saving for a house.Jonathan Young: How else will the Family Incomes Package benefit New Zealand families?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: The four elements to the Family Incomes Package in Budget 2017 when taken together are expected to reduce the number of children living in families receiving less than half of the median income by around 50000 or almost one-third. That is just in one package. It is truly hard to believe that the largest Opposition party voted against the Family Incomes Package. This year's Budget builds on Budget 2015's $790 million package to reduce hardship amongst children in New Zealand's poorest families by amongst other things boosting the main benefit rates for families with children by $25 a week—the first increase in 40 years.Jonathan Young: How has the minimum wage increased in recent years compared with inflation?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Since 2008 the minimum wage has increased from $12 per hour to $15.75 per hour which for a full-time worker on a minimum wage means their annual income has increased 31 percent from just over $25000 a year to $32850 a year currently. This is a real increase in the take-home pay of minimum wage workers because again inflation has been only 14 percent over this period compared with the increase of 31 percent. In addition the economy is currently adding 10000 new jobs a month with New Zealand recording the highest employment rate in our history amongst adults and the second-highest employment rate in the whole of the OECD.Jonathan Young: What other reports has the Minister seen on wages and employment conditions in New Zealand?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Just before coming down to the House today I saw a report that called for improvements to wages and conditions and it claimed a small number of bad employers were undercutting good employers. It also called for more labour inspectors. I agree with some of the concerns in the report. In fact I have seen recent examples of a bad employer taking advantage of foreign workers exploiting them by housing them in substandard conditions paying well below market wages—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! That question as I now listen to the answer conflicts quite seriously with Speaker's ruling 197/6—that question was designed for no purpose other than to attack the Opposition.Hon STEVEN JOYCE: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I do think it is an important issue—Mr SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister is not attempting to argue with me when I have just given a ruling. That would be very serious. I could get exceptionally grumpy.