Same Work Same Pay Media Release
30 Novmber 2012

MP’s bullying behaviour will turn people away

The Same Work Same Pay campaign is concerned that the behaviour of MP David Bennett in the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee yesterday will discourage people, especially young people, from making oral submissions against the Government’s Starting Out Wage Bill currently before Parliament.

Spokesperson James Sleep says “there is no place for bullying behaviour in our Select Committee’s and David Bennett’s intimidating behaviour is not acceptable. This kind of conduct risks marginalising submitters on the Bill, especially young people."

“If David Bennett can’t be respectful towards submitters on the Government’s youth rates Bill then he should stand down as the Committee's Chair” says James Sleep

James Sleep says David Bennett’s behaviour demonstrates why many young people don’t get involved in politics

“Bennett's behaviour towards people who took the time to contribute to a democratic process was appalling. Why would young people turn up to share their views on the Government's moves to lower the minimum wage if the Chair of the Committee is prepared to shut them down and bully them from the Chair?”

James Sleep says Bennett’s behaviour goes against the efforts being made by other Government and Opposition MPs to tackle the issue of youth disengagement in the political system.

- The Same Work Same Pay campaign was launched on Tuesday in opposition to the Government's Starting Out Wage Bill. www.sameworksamepay.org.nz
ENDS

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