9634 (2024). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for the Public Service

9634 (2024). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for the Public Service: What advice, if any, has the Minister received about the Pay Equity Taskforce and difference they have made in the Pay Equity process?

Hon Nicola Willis: I have been advised that the Pay Equity Taskforce located within the Public Service Commission, was established to provide advice and support to public and funded sector employers in bargaining and to provide advice to government on claims. I have been advised that while the Equal Pay Act is clear that pay equity bargaining is the responsibility of the parties to the employer relationship: employers and employees, it was helpful during the introduction of a new and somewhat complex legal framework for the taskforce to provide support to bargaining agencies. This involved a high level of central involvement in pay equity bargaining and helped facilitate numerous settlements. I was also advised that time limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce was due to expire on June 30 this year. I believe that, in part thanks to the Taskforce, the public sector now has extensive experience in applying the new statutory provisions and that the priority going forward should be to emphasise the primary responsibility of employers to meet the requirements of the Act.