ERB passes final stage in Parliament

ERB passes final stage

1:15 PM

The Employment Relations Bill has passed through its rowdy and final stage in Parliament and will come into effect in October.

Debate has been vociferous but took an unusual twist when the Alliance MP Willie Jackson rose to his feet and burst into song.

"Solidarity forever because the union makes us strong", he sang, to the delight of his Government colleagues.

Mr Jackson says the new legislation will give workers some security.

The bill's architect, Margaret Wilson, said the fear that has permeated the workplace will now be removed.

Earlier National leader Jenny Shipley told the House that the passage of the bill was a very dark day in New Zealand's history.

She said the winner would be the unionists and Labour's piggy bank and she promised to repeal the law.

The legislation will scare off investors and speed up the current exodus of New Zealanders across the Tasman, says Mrs Shipley.

- IRN