Pugh Maureen: Social Security Legislation Rewrite Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumePugh Maureen: Social Security Legislation Rewrite Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 10 May 2016. Volume:713;Page:10917. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MAUREEN PUGH (National): It is my pleasure to rise and speak in support of this the Social Security Legislation Rewrite Bill. One of the four key priorities this Government has set is to deliver better public services. In order to deliver better public services the legislation needs to be clear and easy to interpret and easy to deliver on. In its current confusing and patched state the legislation is a long way from being fit for purpose. After more than 50 years of tinkering amending and repealing the Social Security Act 1964 needs a significant tidy-up.Why some may ask—why? The Act as it currently stands contains 491 sections which has grown from the original 135 sections when first passed. Only four of those sections remain unchanged. Over time 187 sections of the Act have been amended. Some have been amended multiple times and as we have heard today one of them nearly 300 times. The Act also needs to recognise the modern living environment and the working environment and allow for different methods of communication not just paper-based methods as it does now. The changes proposed by this bill mean that it will be more comprehensive and easier for everyone to understand.This Government has rolled up its sleeves and is facing this rewrite head-on after it being in the too-hard basket for far too long. I congratulate Minister Anne Tolley on not shying away from hard work and rolling her sleeves up and getting on with the work.Minor changes will see some similar benefits merging under one heading such as the orphan’s benefit combining with the unsupported child’s benefit to be called the supported child’s payment. Some benefits will have a change of title and other Acts will be repealed and replaced by this bill such as the Social Welfare (Reciprocity Agreements and New Zealand Artificial Limb Service) Act 1990. Another change will allow for both parents to apply for sole parent support in cases of split care. When a couple separates and each parent is the main carer for at least one child from that relationship both parents are sole parents but currently only one of them can claim sole parent support. The changes set out in the bill mean that both parents will be treated the same.There is no doubt that this is a huge piece of work but it is one that we are keen to undertake. I am confused however about some of the comments today that consider some of the aspects of this bill as being sneaky when every word is to be dissected debated and consulted on in a public forum. This Government is committed to openness and transparency and to investing in those who find themselves in need of social support. As a member of the Social Services Committee I look forward to taking this bill through the select committee stage.This is what I liken to good housekeeping. All of us know what it is like when you work at your desk for a long period of time. You accumulate papers and you accumulate files books business cards notices and maybe even the odd apple core banana skin and lolly wrapper. It is not until you have tidied your desk that you are able to work more efficiently. This rewrite will do exactly that and I commend this bill to the House.