A report by 10 former MPs who investigated the government's changes to the pay equity law last year, describe the process as a `flagrant and significant abuse of power.' They found no evidence in the available Cabinet and Parliamentary documents, to support what they call the `demolition of the world's leading pay equity scheme'. The cross-party group of former MPs have run a so-called `People's Select Committee' , mimicking a Parliamentary process that did not happen when the government rushed through the law change under urgency.
The ten former MPs received submissions, held public hearings, and read available information and documents. Their 174-page report, released this morning, says the retrospective cancellation of existing rights and remedies was a violation of the rule of law. And that the move breached a range of human rights legislation and conventions. It says employers, charitable organisations, and unions had spent millions of dollars on the 33 pay equity claims that were cancelled by the law change. Among the other recommendations, it calls for a repeal of the Pay Equity Amendment Act, and for an independent pay equity unit to be established within the Ministry of Justice. The report is being launched at 10am , in event that will be live streamed. Committee members include former National MPs Jackie Blue and its chair Dame Marilyn Waring.
In a statement, Minister for Workplace Relations Brooke van Velden said members of the public - including former MPs - were free to hold their own opinions and publish their own material. However, she says the pay equity system will remain. She says the new system is already processing claims under the new law.
Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi
