Bill English: Minister of Finance

Finance Minister Bill English today said it would ultimately be up to taxpayers to decide whether today's job summit in Auckland was a "talk-fest or a do-fest".

Mr English, who delivers his first Budget on May 28, said the ideas put forward amounted to a "giant pre-Budget brainstorm".

He has previously said tough conditions, which are here to stay, will inform his decisions.

Mr English said today that the summit "scares the hell out of bureaucracy" but he was happy to see business take a leadership role, something which hasn't always happened in the past.

Of the many proposals put forward, "some of them we'll do and some of them we won't be able to do". However, as the recession gets worse, the Government will need every idea available, he said.

He did not specifically spell out how taxpayers would be able to give their verdict on the summit.

'Pet topics'

Meanwhile, a union leader has claimed company bosses are using today's the event to put forward some of their "pet topics" on workers' rights.

National Distribution Union secretary Laila Harre said one business leader had suggested extending the 90-day probationary period for new jobs and another had proposed reducing entitlements under the Holidays Act.

She said unions had been "spread far too thinly" at today's conference but they had still managed to get some "silly ideas" rejected.

"Some people from the business community are putting forward pet topics," Ms Harre said.

Her comments came after Prime Minister John Key told the summit that all ideas were on the table and reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard said the world may be in the midst of the "biggest destruction of global wealth ever".

Ms Harre said her union has put forward proposals around Government procurement and building a stronger local manufacturing industry.

"Hidden redundancies" among the casual work force were a concern as workers who leave are not replaced, which amounts to a redundancy.

"There's a challenge to large employers like The Warehouse and other large retailers to tai-ho on any plans to reduce staff," Ms Harre said.

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[radmorad]

you are PIGS, voila! english pigs...you jews. BEUUUUURK

[groyal]

I went to school with Bill and his brothers.