2 March 2010
Posted by Young Nats
I have been asked quite a few questions regarding this Bill over the past few days, so I thought I would put something to paper. Of course the Young Nats support measures that will increase youth employment and make it easier for young people to get employed.
Based on the evidence I have seen, even if you factor the recession in, there has been a huge spike in youth unemployment since scrapping youth rates, as raising youth rates has only raised the average wage by forcing people into unemployment.
I support giving employers and employees the choice to negotiate wage levels. Employers are more likely to hire someone with more experience and seen to be more reliable (young people don’t often have the experience and suffer from being tarred as unreliable).
I worked on youth rates, but by the time I finished working I had been promoted to the same wage as my adult co-workers. Therefore to address the current crisis in the very short term the minimum wage for young people may need to be lowered. This would allow for more young people to be employed. As we come out of the recession the economy will lift the wages for all, and the benefit from being employed will be that young employees will have gained valuable experience which will put them in a much stronger position when it comes to negotiating their wages with their employer.
Daniel Fielding.
9 February 2010
Posted by Young Nats
Presented to the House of Representatives in
accordance with Standing Order 345
The Government starts 2010 with a very full programme of reform in front of it.
Our eyes will be firmly on the economy this year as we continue to implement our economic plan.
Only by lifting our country’s economic performance can we deliver New Zealanders the jobs, increased incomes and better living standards they aspire to and deserve.
Read the continuation of this article
26 January 2010
Posted by Young Nats
Press Release by Young Nationals at 9:36 pm, 26 Jan 2010
Young Nats welcome today’s announcement of the appointment of Hon Steven Joyce as the new Tertiary Education Minister.
“This year is going to be a particularly important year for all tertiary students as Parliament will be discussing the Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill,” says Daniel Fielding, Young Nats President.
“The Young Nats are committed to supporting the Bill, currently tertiary students remain the only group in society still forced to join a union. Students don’t have a choice – they’re compelled to be a ‘card carrying’ union member”.
“This Bill will ensure a system of voluntary student union membership where it is an opt-in choice, not an opt-out alternative.”
“We call on the Minister to show his support for the Bill.”
Young Nats would also like to thank Hon Anne Tolley for her contribution as Tertiary Education Minister.
ENDS
1 December 2009
Posted by Young Nats
Tuesday, 1 December 2009, 3:01 pm Press Release: New Zealand Young Nationals
The Young Nats welcome the release of the 2025 Taskforce recommendations.
“The Young Nats support Dr Don Brash’s hopes that this initial report will spark a nation-wide debate about how New Zealanders can better our living standards and bridge the income gap with Australia,” says Daniel Fielding, Young Nats President.
“This report contains some very ambitious recommendations and targets to get New Zealand back on track, but it is a conversation we need to have.”
Young Nats Secretary, Zach Castles adds, “As the future generation of New Zealanders we whole heartedly back the Prime Minister’s vision. However this will only be achieved if we are prepared to make ambitious decisions now.”
ENDS
23 September 2009
Posted by Young Nats
Press Release by Young Nationals at 6:02 pm, 23 Sep 2009
Young Nats welcome the news that the Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill has won the support of Parliament and will now head to Select Committee.
“We congratulate every Member of Parliament who supported this bill through to the next stage,” says Daniel Fielding, Young Nats President.
“Currently students remain the only group in society still forced to join a union. Students don’t have a choice – they’re compelled to be a ‘card carrying’ union member.
“We strongly support student associations at our tertiary institutions and encourage student involvement on our campuses. Many of our members are involved in student association activities and university campus life”
“But being forced to pay a union membership levy – in fact having to join the union in order to enrol as a student – is at odds with the way every other sector of society is treated”
“This is a debate which needs to be had. We look forward to the select committee’s consideration.”
ENDS
