Rt Hon Jenny Shipley
Leader of the Opposition
Friday 26 May 2000

PM should show she is really listening

Opposition Leader Jenny Shipley today called on Helen Clark to withdraw the Employment Relations Bill and start again.

"The Government's approach to employment law is seriously contributing to the rapid lost of business confidence in New Zealand and international investor confidence in New Zealand," Mrs Shipley said.

"While Labour does have a mandate to alter the Employment Contracts Act, it does not have a mandate to replace it with bad law that will deliver one of the most rigid and restrictive employment frameworks in a developed economy.

"Many people in business will be encouraged by the Prime Minister's recent remarks that she is prepared to respond to calls for change to the Employment Relations Bill.

"I urge the Prime Minister to act decisively and instruct the Minister of Labour, Margaret Wilson, to withdraw the Bill from the Select Committee and begin again by embarking on a wide consultation process which can then form the basis of new legislation.

"The Prime Minister must move today to try and restore the sliding business confidence the single most effective way she could do this is to show business that she really is taking their concerns seriously by withdrawing the unpopular and unworkable Bill," Mrs Shipley said.

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