Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distributing state aid
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations.
She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying
Flexible labour markets are the best environment for businesses to grow. When businesses thrive, our economy thrives. It’s only with a strong economy that we can lift wages, create opportunities, and help Kiwis get ahead.
Meanwhile her colleagues were doing their bit for the economy by announcing they are as good at providing corporate welfare as the previous government.
Meanwhile her colleagues were doing their bit for the economy by announcing they are as good at providing corporate welfare as the previous government.
- Finding more millions to keep Alpine Lifts in business. Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island. Cabinet also agreed to provide $3.05 million in equity and loan funding to support the sale of Tūroa ski field assets to Pure Tūroa Ltd (PTL).
- Pouring a few million dollars into rural-led catchment projects. Announcing the investment of $3.3 million, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said the coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups.
- Committing to providing better cancer services. But one small step at a time, eh? Health Minister Dr Shane Reti said the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the government’s commitment.
- Talking big as work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko. Transport Minister Simeon Brown used the occasion to enthuse about “unlocking economic growth and land for housing” being critical elements of the Government’s plan for its transport network.
- Welcoming a drop in fresh produce prices. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024. Finance Minister Nicola Willis made a meal of the data, saying lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket
Latest from the Beehive
13 MARCH 2024
Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers.
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders.
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near
Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.
12 MARCH 2024
Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.
Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members.
Addressing the Auckland Business Chamber, Brooke van Velden revealed her priorities in the Workplace Relations and Safety portfolio.
The Holidays Act is top of her list.
The first action I am going to take is to make sure that any changes to the Act are workable and are a material improvement on the status quo.
Another priority is reform health and safety law and regulations.
Businesses want to keep people safe and healthy at work, but one of the things I hear consistently is that businesses just don’t know what to do in order to comply.
Small businesses in particular, are pulled in so many directions, and urgently need this clarity as far as possible.
Workers too, need to know what their employers, and they themselves, are required to do to keep them safe.
Then there’s the Employment Relations Act: van Velden aims to have it strike “the right balance” between labour market and regulatory flexibility, certainty of obligations and outcomes, and protection for workers.
The ACT-National coalition agreement makes a commitment to better protect choice and freedom to contract for workers and businesses.
According to Stats NZ, about 1 in 20 New Zealanders are contractors.
- Almost 80 per cent said they had a lot of control over how their work was organised and how their tasks were done; and
- 90 per cent said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs and that they would prefer to continue being self-employed rather than have a paid job working for someone else.
The ACT-National coalition agreement also requires the Government to consider changes to simplify personal grievance procedures.
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
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