Letter to Margaret Wilson

Tuesday 1st Aug 2000 Richard Prebble Media Release -- Economy

1 August 2000

Hon Margaret Wilson
Minister of Labour
Parliament Buildings
WELLINGTON

Dear Margaret,

You have informed the public that there are errors in the Employment Relations Bill handout that ACT is distributing throughout New Zealand via its public seminars.

I would like to advise you that the handout in question is based on the minority report prepared for the Employment and Accident Insurance Legislation select committee by the ACT Party.

The select committee checked the minority report for errors.

In fact the chair of the committee, Labour MP, Graham Kelly, upon reading the report for the first time, said that it was full of errors. However, when the select committee undertook a detailed clause by clause analysis of the report he was forced to concede that what ACT said about the Bill, was accurate.

I would like to remind you that the Employment Relations Bill is long and complex (over 160 pages in length). Every employer and employee in New Zealand is expected to understand this Bill in only two months.

The ACT Party is doing the Government’s job by conducting educational seminars and it does not help when you issue such a reckless statement without being specific.

It is time the Government stopped trying to keep the Bill secret and to end your campaign of spin. You must begin to recognise the great responsibility inherent in open and participatory Government.

If ACT was not conducting seminars, small employers would have to pay up to $500 to learn how they conform to the new law.

I look forward to an early and prompt reply as ACT is conducting seminars for another 2000 people today. If, by chance, we do have to make any amendments, the sooner this is done, the better it will be for all of New Zealand’s businesses.

Yours sincerely

Hon Richard Prebble CBE LEADER, ACT NEW ZEALAND

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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