Van Velden’s bill proposes a radical shake-up of health and safety laws, which the Government says will increase certainty, reduce compliance costs and help businesses understand their responsibilities to protect their workers.
But the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, which organised today’s protests, says the legislation will wind back workplace protections that were introduced after the 2010 Pike River disaster, which killed 29 men.
Act leader David Seymour (left), National leader and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and NZ First leader Winston Peters appear split over a bill promoting health and safety reforms. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Peters told the crowd van Velden’s bill would not last.
“I can’t logistically do it now, but I have come down the front here, I could’ve stayed in my office, but I’m going to come down and tell you … next time though, give me a few more men and women to do the job,” Peters said, in reference to the number of votes given to New Zealand First at the election.
He said there were “far too many people” in Parliament who did not “understand what a working day is, or what a working man and woman are, and you can tell by the way they talk and the way they act”.
Act Party deputy leader Brooke van Velden, surrounded by her party colleagues, is leading the drive for major health and safety reforms. Photo / Mark Mitchell
“They’ve forgotten, for example, that it is the workforce of the country that in the end, keeps the country alive, and that no matter what the industry, they critically need the workers of this country.”
Van Velden said no specific concerns that would require an amendment had been raised by New Zealand First.
“It is not the case, at the 11th hour, having been silent for over a month, that you can say that that was good faith coming from the other side.
“I think it is politicking … Winston, if he actually has concerns, should spell out specifically what it is, and up until this point I have heard nothing about that.”
Peters disputed this, saying his party was waiting for the formal Parliamentary report on the bill.
“The report came last week. When we got hold of the report, we asked to have a meeting with her, and she said no.”
Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.