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‘Zero empathy for the needs of small businesses’
As for Labor’s plan to give workers more sick leave (10 days, double the current five), Goldsmith said it was only “piling up” more costs for small businesses that can’t pay. He added that the government has “zero empathy for the needs of small businesses.”
Robertson rejected this, citing the recent wage subsidy, cash flow loans and support to run his business online, saying that giving Kiwis more sick leave would actually help small businesses.
“New Zealanders are quite stoic: they go to work when they are not well, in fact they make their colleagues feel bad at the same time … COVID-19 has shown us that it will be good for all New Zealanders.”
The wage subsidy was praised by some for being simple, quick, and easily accessible, but has been criticized for being perhaps too easy. Some firms that took it have posted massive gains since then, better than they might have expected when the country was first shut down in March.
National leader Judith Collins recently said they would change the law to get that money back.
“The leader rightly said that New Zealanders are very upset at the prospect that companies have accepted the wage subsidy and still turn out to be very profitable and lay off workers,” Goldsmith said.
He said it would be a “last resort”.
Robertson said it wouldn’t happen under Labor, as it would undermine confidence.
“It’s really important that the government keep their word and provide certainty. If they met the criteria, then they were eligible for funding. If they then choose to pay it back because things look better for them in the future, that’s a good thing.”
Almost $ 500 million has already been returned.
‘This is not the 19th century’
As for the impending increase in the minimum wage if Labor remains in power, Goldsmith again said it would hurt small businesses. National has promised a two-year moratorium on “regulatory and policy changes that add costs to Kiwi’s businesses.”
Robertson said it would not be a cost because minimum wage earners spend their money on local businesses to get it back.
“We signaled this increase as early as the end of 2017, so there is an element of certainty here. People know this is coming and they know they will be able to absorb it because that money is being spent again.”
The couple also argued about how much the world has changed not just in the last 10 months, but two centuries, after Goldsmith accused Robertson of living in a fairyland.
“The only fairyland is the one where the trickle economy really works,” Robertson said.
Goldsmith replied, “This is not the 19th century.”
“The problem is, it’s for you. That’s the problem,” Robertson said.
Voting is ongoing, with roll call day within a week.
