INDEPENDENT NEWS

Field in the firing line again

Published: Fri 1 Sep 2006 02:00 PM
www.waynemapp.co.nz
Field in the firing line again
Does the Labour Party think that so long as an MP is not an active criminal, then they are a fit and proper person to be a Member of Parliament? What about ethical standards?
Like all professions, MP’s are expected to fulfil certain expectations – these may not be set out in the law but they are widely understood. This is why Philip Field is so exceptional. He has breached ethical standards – and the Police are now looking to see if he breached criminal law.
Either way he is fatally tainted. Even some of Labour’s allies can see this. Mr Field hid behind excuses of cultural norms for his actions. It is no wonder he was discredited in Labour’s Pacific Island wing. Andrew Little of the EPMU has no doubt that Mr Field has failed the ethical test.
Actually it is pretty clear the Prime Minister is of the same view, except Mr Field has stared her down. He didn’t take her hint to go, so her authority has been diminished, along with that of her government. And now Labour sit like stunned sheep. If they think putting him on leave will make this issue go away they better rethink.
We expect our politicians to be trustworthy and have integrity. Mr Field should have admitted fault and bowed out with dignity. He has failed to live up to this expectation. The Prime Minister gave him the opportunity for a managed exit. Standing down Mr Field is a clear indication of a lack of faith the general public has in the current government and its members and a case of belated damage control by Labour.
Ultimately the issue is not whether Mr Field is a criminal, it is whether he is of the proper ethical standard to be an MP.
Consumers and Businesses held to ransom Labour’s pro-union industrial relations legislation is slowing the country down as both businesses and consumers are held to ransom.
A policy that allows a small minority of a company's workforce to threaten the livelihood of the majority is economically bankrupt, but that's exactly what's happening under Labour.
The National Distribution Union strike of 500 supermarket shelf stockers employed by Progressive Enterprises, has left shelves empty and affected businesses and consumers. The employment of 17,500 non-striking workers is at risk as a result of this industrial action. This kind of action is hardly surprising when the union has former radical Alliance MP Laila Harre at the helm.
This is just the latest example of the unions flexing their muscles to enforce Labour’s legislation, which gives them preferential treatment especially on multi employer collective contracts (MECA's).
Almost 33,000 person days of work were lost to industrial action in the year ending March 2006.
National predicted this kind of widespread union action would result from Labour’s legislation. This increasing strike action marks a return to the bad old days of union domination. Labour has reduced the freedom of non-union workers and employers, making it much more difficult to do business.
The impact on productivity and our essential industries will be many millions of dollars and will continue to get worse unless something is done to fix this stifling legislation.
In Government National will remove the union preference and the ‘us vs. them’ mentality it has brought to employment law.
Events:
Qmac Platform Breakfast - Saturday 9 September 8:00am Kingsgate Hotel 187 Campbell Road Auckland Cost: $25 in advance; $30 at the door
Hear North Shore MP Wayne Mapp speak at the Qmac Platform Breakfast. He will be speaking on "The Importance of Migration on a Nation's Economy". Please RSVP by September 5. Bring your business card to be in to win the draw for a hamper.
Send cheque to: Qmac Platform PO Box 41134 St Lukes Auckland
ENDS

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