The National Party have done a flip flop on their support of youth rates minimum wages. In 2008, they fiercely opposed the removal of youth rates in the minimum wage, saying that it would increase youth employment and provide an incentive to leave school early.
After Roger Douglas announced his bill to reinstate youth rates, I asked Minister Kate Wilkinson in a written question whether she is in favour of reinstating a minimum youth wage. She answered “no”.
Two weeks ago, the Minister hinted she was open to Roger Douglas’s bill to cut minimum wages, but it looks like she’s had a change of heart.
This is good news for young people, but bad news for Roger.
I’m wondering what discussions, if any, the governmeent has had with their coalition partner, the ACT party and whether Roger has been told that his bill to bring back youth rates won’t get passt first reading.
Go Kate!
Have you considered a member’s bill aimed at repealing section 30(2) of the Human Rights Act, which allows for discriminatory wages for those under the age of 20?
Having gotten rid of youth minimum wages, getting rid of youth wages would seem like the next step…
I’d say the Maori Party pulled the plug on it by threatening to withdraw confidence & supply if the Nats backed it.
John Key has made a point of distancing himself and his government from Roger Douglas. If the Nats don’t support the bill, that may be the real reason. I.e. they don’t want the govt to be seen to have any influence from Roger.
They may be publicly distancing themselves but his fingerprints are all over the SuperCity and other ACT “initiatives”
So this Bill would make useful ‘evidence’ that National and ACT aren’t cosy…the conspiracy theorist in me likes that analysis.
@Graham – hadn’t looked at the HR Act lately. Will check it out.
A tiny glimmer of sanity in a sea of destructive madness…