Oral Questions to Ministers — Small Business and Manufacturing
to the Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing: Does he agree with the Prime Minister that New Zealand businesses have “a parent-child mentality” with the Government; if so, how does this apply to small businesses?
As has already been canvassed this afternoon, the Prime Minister’s comments were not directed at small businesses. His point was about the previous Government’s tendency to tell businesses what to do, rather than back them to succeed, and is one I agree with. That said, the Prime Minister has acknowledged that he could have expressed that point more clearly.
Dan Rosewarne: Does he agree that when small businesses raise concerns about rising costs and falling demand, they are seeking solutions, not sympathy?
Hon CAMERON BREWER: I agree that this Prime Minister is one that we’ve seen engage with businesses more than ever before. He is so good at engaging with businesses that their previous Prime Minister appointed him to run the New Zealand Business Council.
Dan Rosewarne: What message—[Interruption]
SPEAKER: Only one person—one person—speaking while a question’s asked.
Dan Rosewarne: What message does he think the Prime Minister’s “parent-child mentality” comments send to small-business owners who are struggling to keep their doors open?
Hon CAMERON BREWER: Again, I agree with the wider point that the Prime Minister was making, and that was: wanting businesses to succeed through innovation, through adaptation, and through responding to changing opportunities, while the Government’s role is to create the conditions for growth.
Dan Rosewarne: Did you, in your role as Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing, request that the Prime Minister apologise for his comments?
Hon CAMERON BREWER: Ever since my appointment, the Prime Minister and I are best friends. We are talking regularly. Perhaps, if the member is wanting to represent the underdog, I can quote a relatively new worker, soon after they’d been made unemployed—and that worker said this: “The biggest thing for me was—you know—going into the Koru Lounge and then the red lights of doom go off because your Koru Club has been cancelled. … [all] about moving from champagne to lemonade.” That—
SPEAKER: That’s enough.
Hon CAMERON BREWER: —poor, unfortunate person—
SPEAKER: Sit down!
Hon CAMERON BREWER: —was Dan Rosewarne.
SPEAKER: Sit down when you’re told to!