Speaker, the DA evaluates every policy and legislative proposal through the lens of job creation and economic growth. We understand the simple truth that a flourishing economy is the only real way to redress the economic legacy of apartheid and to include many millions more South Africans in prosperity.
If we accept the premise that every policy that government proposes should be judged by its effect on economic inclusion and growth, then it's easy to see why it is impossible to support this Bill.
This Bill will not help to create jobs or to facilitate labour absorption. In fact, quite the opposite; it will destroy jobs. How will it do that? It will destroy jobs by crowding out hundreds, if not thousands, of smaller employment agencies which historically have had a superb record of placing work seekers in jobs. Expanding the public employment service will not lead to more jobs, it will lead to less. Those smaller agencies will be crushed under an ever-expanding mountain of red tape that this government places upon them. All that this means is that there will be a concentration in the sector. The big companies who can handle the smothering red tape will survive, and those that cannot will perish.
The ANC's policy programme this year has been defined by its preoccupation with browbeating the economy into complying with the model of control and coercion that it envisions, but you cannot browbeat the economy without sacrificing competitiveness, jobs and long-term growth. This Bill is another example of this agenda in full swing and it will not work. It belies a fundamental misunderstanding and mistrust of the South African economy. You do not create jobs by regulating successful businesses to death.
Let me deal with the hon Alberts. We oppose this Bill because it does not help to redress the legacy of apartheid. That is quite different from why you oppose this Bill, hon member. We oppose this Bill, because it does not go nearly far enough in redressing the economic legacy of apartheid. We support the inclusion of dispossessed and excluded South Africans' economy. We are not sure that you feel the same. [Interjections.]
We oppose this Bill, because it reverses the cause of redressing apartheid and it does not advance it. You do not create jobs by replacing efficient innovative entrepreneurs with inefficient ever-expanding government departments.
Hon Nchabeleng, on Saturday morning I received an SMS from the ANC asking me to go and register. I am not sure in what universe you think a DA Member of Parliament is going to go and register for the ANC ... [Interjections.] Yes, I will take your question.