MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate use
14th January 2000
WINZ SETTLEMENT WON'T BE THE LAST THIS GOVERNMENT PAYS OUT
The WINZ pay-out in the aircraft charter case is just the first of many this government will agree to make says
National's Employment spokesman Bob Simcock.
"People who are sacked for outrageous behaviour often end up being paid equally outrageous settlements. This is a direct
result of employment court decisions.
"The current government's industrial policy means that this situation will only get worse.
"Labour cannot have it both ways. If it doesn't want to pay more settlements like this one, then it must change the law
about personal grievances.
"Labour can stop big pay outs in both the private and public sector. All it has to do is introduce amending legislation
when the Parliament resumes in February.
"I am delighted that Mr Maharey intends to eliminate 'waste and sloppiness at the top of government agencies' but if he
doesn't amend the current law he will he will end up making more and even larger pay outs," Mr Simcock said.
ENDS