Business NZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly says claims that youth rates are illegal are without foundation.
The claims are based on advice from the Ministry of Justice, but Mr O’Reilly says the Ministry was asked the wrong question.
“The Ministry was asked whether youth rates were consistent with the Bill of Rights Act.
“This Act sets out general principles about rights, but it does not invalidate other Acts of Parliament.
“The Act that specifically relates to discrimination is the Human Rights Act, which specifically allows youth rates (section 30). The Bill of Rights Act cannot repeal or revoke this (section 4).
“So the Ministry was asked the wrong question. It should have been asked whether youth rates contravene the Human Rights Act. The answer would have been no.”
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