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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Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>