SpeechAGNES LOHENI (National): Thank you Mr Speaker. Indeed a pleasure to stand and take a call on this very important bill. It is a fantastic step forward and I have really enjoyed the contributions from across the House tonight. First of all I also would like to acknowledge the members of the Health Committee for their work and hearing the contributions from my colleague Matt Doocey and also from Jenny Marcroft clearly a very collaborative effort which is heartening. Of course we welcome the establishment of a Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission and the Government's response to the inquiry into mental health. I would add that the onus must now turn to delivering our front-line mental health services. It is important that more focus is placed on front-line services to support New Zealanders with mental health issues as well as to promote mental wellbeing. We should all join in working to enhance mental wellbeing and resilience in our communities. On the one hand it is concerning that over 3.6 percent of our population had to access mental health and addiction services but on the other hand it is pleasing to see that so many New Zealanders are prepared to do something about their mental health and addictions by availing themselves of the existing services. Reaching out asking for help and being able to receive it is very important. The focus now needs to shift to community services and increasing accessibility across New Zealand. In any case I will refer to some of the specifics of the bill. The bill originally listed a number of high-risk groups from which the commission would need to seek views which are in clause 13 and I'm pleased to see that the committee has kept this list and added another requirement for the commission to seek the views of people at greater risk of experiencing poor mental health and wellbeing in general. I'm conscious of Māori needs in respect of mental health services. These are matters close to my heart as poor mental health affects nearly every family in some way. So it's good that the select committee has seen fit to expand its focus to the myriad of factors affecting mental health and wellbeing.I note as others have the expansion of the board size from two to a maximum of seven and I expect that the expansion will enable both clinical and non-clinical expertise to be considered as board members. There are a number of highly experienced individuals working in the sector who may make exceptional appointments and this change will definitely facilitate greater scope of skill for the commission. I note also at clause 8(2) it requires that the commission members bring a greater understanding and experience of environmental factors on people's mental health. The area of public health responses remains a critical component in getting the mix right. Equally allowing greater commission independence when performing their functions is critical. It may be that the commission has views and approaches that don't necessarily align with Government perceptions. Being able to do what is right as opposed to what their political masters want is important; so I'm pleased that these changes recognise and reflect that.I'm pleased to see that the time has been taken to consider this bill through a fair and proper parliamentary process. I'd also just like to finally acknowledge the significant contribution from the submitters. There were 99 submissions of which I understand 86 supported. In particular I note some of the comments from the submitters who supported establishing the commission but did raise some concerns that the bill does not include all the functions proposed in He Ara Oranga. I'd also note some submitters noting the establishing of the commission will not be sufficient to improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes; that limitations and other aspects of the system will affect the commission's success. A fantastic bill at the moment. Pleased with that. Congratulations to all the people on the Health Committee. I commend this bill to the House. Thank you.