Stewart Barbara: Address in Reply 
Stewart Barbara: Address in Reply 
[Volume:628;Page:432] 
BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
: 
 It is my privilege to speak on behalf of New Zealand First in this debate. I must begin in the same way as my colleagues by offering my congratulations to the Prime Minister and to the Hon Margaret Wilson the Hon Clem Simich yourself Mr Assistant Speaker and Ann Hartley on the achievement of high office. It is not an easy task; however it is one that you all carry out well. I would also like to welcome all the new members to the House. Being an MP is indeed one of the most interesting and exciting roles that one will ever have the privilege of being involved in and I wish them all well. My congratulations also go to the Rt Hon Winston Peters. I know he will do a wonderful job of representing New Zealand overseas. 
My condolences and sympathy go to the families of Rod Donald and Tahu Asher. We valued and respected the contributions that each made in this House. 
To those people who supported New Zealand First at the recent election I say thank you. We are very honoured and proud to represent them in this House. I say thank you too to our many volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout New Zealand. The New Zealand First team will definitely be working to ensure that the policy programme that is part of the confidence and supply agreement we have with the Government proceeds expeditiously. We are absolutely committed to those policies and we are proud to be working on behalf of those New Zealanders. 
There has been a lot of comment about New Zealand First sitting on this side of the House—a side of the House that actually understands and respects the way that MMP works and that can achieve policy objectives that will benefit many New Zealanders. New Zealanders are better served by MMP. They will never accept a single-party majority again. We have heard regularly about New Zealand First receiving the baubles of power. Yes we have but the bottom line is that we are sharing our baubles with every New Zealander and they were outlined in the Speech from the Throne. We want all New Zealanders to get a share in our baubles and we are more than happy to share them. 
In New Zealand First we are really looking forward to this term of Parliament. This term will see the implementation of many of the policies that are important to us. We want to make a positive difference to the lives of New Zealanders. For our senior citizens we will see the introduction of a seniors card and the holders will be eligible for all public sector entitlements. We are very pleased too that the rate of New Zealand superannuation will be set at 66 percent of the average ordinary-time weekly earnings as from 1 April 2006. This is a start in the right direction for our seniors. New Zealand First will also investigate ways to improve options for senior citizens who may be eligible for foreign pensions as well as New Zealand superannuation. All MPs receive numerous letters on that very subject and I do not think any New Zealander including the members opposite would be disappointed with it being investigated. 
New Zealand First will be a part of the thorough review of immigration legislation which the former Minister of Immigration Mr Swain famously described as “a dog’s breakfast”. This review is a long way overdue and New Zealanders can feel safe in the knowledge that with New Zealand First involved the review will be a full and thorough one. 
Some of our economic policies have also been adopted as part of the confidence and supply agreement with Labour. New Zealand First has long recognised that exports are the backbone of a prosperous future for our economy. We want to make sure that the emphasis of economic policy will again prioritise measures to grow our export sector. 
Being a resident of the Waikato I am delighted to be able to announce that we have secured a new and fairer taxation regime for the racing industry. We will ensure that the new regime will at least put racing on an equal footing with other parts of the gambling sector. 
There are many policies that will enhance New Zealanders’ lives over the next 3 years and they have all been outlined. The opposition we have heard from the other side of the House is very often proof that we are on the right track. We know that success has very little to do with what people accomplish for themselves; it is about what we do for others. The key thing for New Zealand First is that all New Zealanders get to share in our baubles and we are more than happy to share each of them.