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!
