CTU Media Release

22 January 2013

Challenges ahead in Labour Portfolio

The CTU has congratulated Simon Bridges on his appointment as Minister of Labour.

Helen Kelly, CTU President said "there are many challenges in this portfolio that previous Ministers in this Government have failed to satisfactorily address including health and safety, lifting the minimum wage, and addressing the major problem of precarious work with so many on casual, contracting, or short-term employment arrangements."

"The Government plans to make further significant negative employment law changes this year, including reducing the wage for young workers. These changes will make matters worse for New Zealand families, and the test for this new Minister is whether or not he is prepared to change track and support the rights and aspirations of working New Zealanders."

Helen Kelly said that the CTU looked forward to an opportunity to discuss these major issues with the new Minister.

"The CTU is hopeful that the incoming Minister of Labour, Simon Bridges, will keep the momentum going on implementing the outcomes of the Pike River Report," said Helen Kelly.

ENDS

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"Unlawful, Unjustified And Unreasonable": Report Into Urewera Raids Finds Police Acted Unlawfully

Independent Police Conduct Authority Chair Judge Sir David Carruthers said today that the decision by the then Commissioner of Police to undertake the operation in Ruatoki Valley and elsewhere on 15 October 2007 was reasonable and justified.

“However, the road blocks established by Police at Ruatoki and Taneatua were unlawful, unjustified and unreasonable... Police had no legal basis for stopping and searching vehicles or photographing drivers or passengers,” he said...

The report also showed that the detention of the occupants at five properties examined by the Authority was unlawful and unreasonable. More>>