David
CLARK
MP for Dunedin North

12 March 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT

Key can’t have it both ways on holidays bill

National should suck it up and vote for legislation that would Mondayise Anzac Day and Waitangi Day when they fall on a weekend, says Labour MP and sponsor of the Mondayising Bill, David Clark.

“John Key dithered overnight, effectively saying National would let the Bill pass, without directly endorsing it.

“I call that having your cake and eating it too. John Key knows Mondayising is popular with Kiwis. He should openly support it rather than wriggling like a fish on a hook attempting to please the Bill’s critics as well.

“It is unclear from comments reported this morning whether John Key is confused or being disingenuous, but I have had no communication from the Government to suggest that it is considering a veto.

“The truth is National couldn’t stop it.

“The financial calculations John Key relied on have been a source of embarrassment for the Government. Even the modest costings it has produced don’t stack up.

“The Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and Anzac Day) Amendment Bill makes financial sense. The only significant survey done on employer attitudes towards the Bill showed 87 per cent were in favour or neutral to Mondayising.

“This Bill has the support of the majority of New Zealanders including businesses. The writing is on the wall for National. It should take a stand and support hardworking Kiwis who deserve all 11 statutory days off each and every year to spend with their families,” David Clark said.

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>