SpeechPAULO GARCIA (National): It's an absolute pleasure to stand and be able to speak on a bill that enjoys cross-party support. But above all that it is an honour—quite undeserved actually—for a civilian like myself whose exposure to war and active conflict is limited to cinematic works and documentaries and news and for a civilian who has been to military camps only on visits with the last experience being to Trentham as a member of the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee. So quite undeservedly I am honoured to be able to speak on this bill. The cross-party support for the bill is proper. It is proper as it addresses the amendments and improvements that the Paterson report has recommended and it is inspirational as well as we in Parliament lead the country in recognising the invaluable support of the veterans and the people in the Defence Force who serve now and whose contribution to New Zealand in the service that they have provided and provide allows us to live in the New Zealand that is now. It is through their struggle that we are able to live as we do now.I focus my contribution on the recognition of the Paterson report that the impact of the veteran's service lasts well beyond his retirement. I cannot imagine fear as they have felt fear. I will probably be in that privileged lot of an age that doesn't have to see war and that hopes that the country we live in will never actually see war. Because of that it is a privilege and it is a privilege that we live here now through the work of others before us and the work of others who are amongst us. So in recognising the effects of that staring in the face of mortal danger which is unimaginable to an ordinary person like myself that fear once experienced must certainly affect that person's life throughout his life and not just his life but for every member of his family and the people that he is close to. The Paterson report focuses on support for the family which is undeniably so needed. It defines who may be considered children. It recognises the support of non-family non-professional people who support the veterans.Again I just want to relish the fact that I am not—and hopefully probably will never be—in a position where I personally would be exposed to mortal danger. I can keep on and on and on in recognition and awe of the people who on this recent trip to Trentham Military Camp I met who do so much and who not only work amongst themselves but who impart their kind of life to others because we visited a sort of boot camp—a training facility for vulnerable youth. It was a wonder to see and to hear their accounts of how difficult it is to deal with youth who are going through the difficulties that they face. They—as we are—are the same in the sense that we will never know fear in the way the veterans have known fear and have faced fear themselves.Finally I would like to commend the great work that was done in getting the Veterans' Support Act into place and the great work that has now been done to get this amendment bill into place. We thank the veterans and the Defence Force and the service personnel who go through the dangers that they go through for us. Thank you Madam Speaker.