Nash Stuart; Mallard TrevorSTUART NASH (Labour—Napier): I absolutely support this bill and I reject the arguments put forward by the last speakers—the two National speakers actually and New Zealand First. Let me outline the reasons for that. GDP is a very important measure—there is no doubt about that. Gross domestic product: it is the monetary value of all finished goods and services produced within a country's borders within a specific period of time. It is a measurement of a nation's overall economic activity. It is important and no one denies this. I do not think there is any point or any appetite to change this or get rid of it. But in the 21st century the question is: is this the only measure we should be using?In a country like New Zealand which sells itself globally as clean green and 100% Pure" our brand—our global brand the thing that gives us a global competitive advantage—is about sustainability of the environment of the economy and of our communities. Should we not be trying to benchmark ourselves against others globally? Should this not be part of how we see ourselves and the success of the Government in delivering for all the people of New Zealand?Sure there may be measures that should or should not be in this bill—there is no doubt about that. But this is the role of a select committee and that is what we do with these bills. They are imperfect; we all acknowledge that. So we send them to a select committee and we get the experts—and we are not leading the way in this; so there are experts in this field—to submit to our select committee and say that this is what the bill would look like and this is how the law could be applied in a way that is meaningful and really works. This is why this sort of bill should absolutely go to a select committee. That is why I will always support this.Let me give you a quote—we have heard a number of them tonight—"Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want for all. It offers a framework to generate economic growth achieve social justice exercise environmental stewardship and strengthen governance." Ban Ki-moon said that. Are these not the measures and aspirations that we all strive for no matter what our political colours may be or which parties we represent?The only way actually to see whether Governments are delivering is to measure. I do not see this as a bill to hold this Government to account; I see this as a bill to hold all Governments to account. If this bill is passed then the next Labour - Green Government which is coming in in 6 months will be held to account in the way that every single Government will be held to account.The Public Finance Act came in in 1989. I bet that at the same time—and Mr Assistant Speaker Mallard is probably the only one who can clarify this—we were having these sorts of debates when this bill came in. I bet there were MPs on both sides talking about transparency. Heaven forbid—why would we want transparency in the public accounts! But now the Public Finance Act is seen as an integral part not only of our Government but of democracy.This bill will have its time; of that I have no doubt. If the Government is not going to support it and New Zealand First is not going to support it it looks like it probably will not pass its first reading but it will have its time—of that I have absolutely no doubt. I also believe that in 20 years' time there will be MPs who will be standing here or who will be reading this or who will be presenting this day either at Budget time or in parliamentary debates and we will marvel at the fact that 20 years ago in 2017 we were actually debating whether we needed these indicators or not. These will be so integral into how a Government measures its success and how the people out there measure a Government's success that it will just be part of the norm.I just think it is a shame that in fact we are not taking a lead—well we are not no; I am not even talking about taking a lead—and that we do not join the rest of the developed world and say: "You know what? These things are now important." Sure financial transparency is accountant. But I will support this bill and I will always support bills like this because I believe that a greater level of transparency and accountability in Government is vital if we as politicians and we as a Parliament are to win the respect and confidence of the people of New Zealand.It is sad that this bill is not going to a select committee. It is a real shame because its time is now but it will have its time—of that I have no doubt James. But I support this bill 100 percent. Thank you very much.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Well I am tempted to call Simon O'Connor; I am not quite sure what I should call him though.Stuart Nash: Can we suggest something?"