Smith StuartSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura): I was cut down part-way through and I was really just getting going last time so it is great to be able to have an opportunity to come back into the House and have my say. I thought that today I would not make it back in time but I have. I would like to start by acknowledging Chris Hipkins who has a new addition to his family and I think that is fantastic. Unfortunately he is not here tonight—but good on Chris; I think it is fantastic. I know as does anyone who has been through that that it is a fantastic momentous occasion. However I cannot say that I support this bill in any way. I think it is really rather sad. One of the things I found most surprising when I came into Parliament—and it was completely contrary to my views before I came in—was the conservatism of the members opposite. I really thought that would not be the case. But it is quite obvious that the home of progressive thinking is on this side of the House. This bill aims to stop what is a really good opportunity for people to make choices in their education. I think that is what partnership schools offer—an opportunity for people to have a choice. If they do not work people will not go there—I think that quite clearly they do.Children have a myriad of styles of learning. Some schools and particularly partnership schools are set up to meet a target group of people—and to teach them in a particular style. All power to them. It will not suit everyone—of course it will not. It is not meant to be for everyone. We are meant to have a choice and that is the one thing that I think has been missing. Why would you oppose that? Conservatism as I have laid out may be one reason. The other one of course is supporting major donors to political parties perhaps. [Interruption]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Order! I do want to make it clear that the comments the member has made if he looks back through the Speakers' Rulings are regarded as grossly disorderly. I suggest he does not continue with them.STUART SMITH: Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker for that direction. We have 2500 schools in New Zealand and yet only eight of them are partnership schools. So really what is the threat? Why are they so threatened? I really find that conservatism is quite surprising—and rather disappointing I have to say.In New Zealand at the moment—particularly in Marlborough—we have only 2.8 percent unemployment and it is 4.9 percent across New Zealand. The big issue for employers is that people are coming out of schools not able to be work-ready. They have not progressed through the school in the way that makes them work-ready. Having partnership schools gives a very good opportunity for people to get to a work-ready status and to be able to participate fully in the workplace. Certainly I know in Marlborough with 2.8 percent unemployment—I think 3 percent is considered worldwide as full employment so we are actually below that—it is a significant challenge for employers to meet. So anything that can help in that area will be fantastic.We set up Better Public Services targets of 85 percent of 18-year-olds having achieved NCEA level 2. In 2011 there were only 74.3 percent who had attained that level. We are now at 83.3 percent as of 2015 so we are well on the way to that target of 85 percent. Partnership schools are a part of that. They are helping us to achieve those targets.I think there have been a number of concerns around not meeting the curriculum but under section 158G(b) of the Education Act 1989 the curriculum has to meet the standards laid out under section 60A(1)(aa). Quite clearly the curriculum will be a part—and has to be a part—of partnership schools. So that does not really meet the test. Targets are set and they have to be set. They have to be measured against national standards which is a fantastic initiative—anyone who cares about education would really care about national standards and NCEA—and they have to report it. I think it is absolutely vital that this bill does not pass. It would be a real impost on the choice of New Zealanders. I think it would be quite shameful if it passes. I quite clearly stand against the bill. Thank you.