Bennett Paula: Minimum Wage (New Entrants) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Bennett Paula: Minimum Wage (New Entrants) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:641;Page:11167] 
PAULA BENNETT (National) 
: 
 The National Party was quite struck that the purpose of the bill is to amend the Minimum Wage Act 1983 to end age discrimination in employment by removing the ability of the Governor-General to set by Order in Council minimum wage rates defined by reference to the age of workers amongst other things. I would be quite keen to hear the matter discussed in more detail if the honourable member Sue Bradford would like to take a call. 
The National Party has huge concerns about the ending of age discrimination in respect of young people in smaller towns. I heard some of the submissions and arguments made about places like fast-food restaurants in small towns where people are working next to each other doing the same job but are paid differently because they are different ages. To be honest some of what they said made sense and when we heard from the young people themselves we were moved by their stories and agreed they were doing exactly the same job. 
The concern I have has also been expressed by other members on this side of the Chamber when we have discussed this bill at length. We have not made our decision lightly because it affects young people. Obviously in the National Party we agree that people should be paid what they are worth. There is no question about that. 
We could give the example of Levin a small place that has mechanics hairdressers small businesses and small retailers. They often take on someone from school to give that person a go. Those businesses do not have much money or much fat. They do not take on that young person to make the business some money or even really for that person to have a huge input into the business at that time but they see the benefit for the longer term of taking on that person. The businesses may be strapped for cash and not making a lot but by paying the minimum wage rate they can take on a young person. 
For example I have a dear friend in Taupo who owns a hair salon. She takes on someone from school on late nights on Thursdays and Saturday mornings. She said that to be honest the young person sweeps a few floors and does not really do much but it gives that young person a taste for the industry. It takes a huge commitment to train as a hairdresser. Trainee hairdressers work for a long time for only a little money in the hope that the qualification will lead to something worthwhile. My friend said that it is a huge commitment to undertake. 
The purpose of the bill is to remove age discrimination. The National Party has huge concerns that the bill actually discriminates against young people because small businesses in smaller towns cannot afford to give young people a go if they have to pay them adult rates. Those young people will end up in jobs in bigger places in supermarkets and so on and although there is nothing wrong with that it does not give them a taste of what they are hoping their future career might be. 
We heard another good example of a veterinarian who takes on young people—and I raise this in terms of the purpose of the bill to cut out age discrimination. That veterinarian takes on young people after school but can afford to pay only the minimum wage. The veterinarian cannot afford to pay them more than the minimum wage and does not want to pay them nothing so takes them on at the minimum wage. A young person in that situation is rapt quite frankly. The person is getting a go and having an opportunity that would not arise otherwise. 
These small businesses said that they knew the worth of what they are doing for young people. I wonder whether the bill has been as well-thought-out as it could have been in that respect. 
I say to the member in the chair Sue Bradford that we understand some of the bigger problems and perhaps why she has brought in the bill. We do not always agree with other members but that is the nature of this place and that is OK. We can argue about it. But I do have huge concerns about whether those smaller areas have been thought about—areas where there are not as many employment opportunities for those young people. Those small businesses are almost doing a community service by taking on these people. They are quite open about the fact they cannot afford to pay anything more than the minimum wage but they know it may help those young people with career opportunities later on. That is really important. 
I have personally had people write to me and National has had many people meet with us. They range from veterinarians to hairdressers mechanics panel beaters and many others. Kids working for these businesses are looking for a bit of a break and a taste of the work so they can see whether that area suits them. 
Sue Moroney 
: Talk about clause 3. 
PAULA BENNETT 
: I have been talking about the purpose clause and we hear moans and groans from members on the other side of the Chamber because that is what they like to do. I do not believe that any member of the House wants people not to be paid what they are worth. That is the truth of it.