Seymour DavidDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader—ACT): Thank you very much Mr Speaker. I reluctantly join in support of this motion to form an epidemic committee. Let me put that in the context that New Zealand is one of only seven countries to have maintained democracy throughout the entire 20th century. Our Parliament did not stop sitting for world wars. For the Parliament to adjourn for a national emergency is not only unprecedented but it is perhaps a bad time to do it because at this time the Government has just taken more civil liberties than at any peacetime juncture in our history: freedom of association and freedom of movement. Now don't misunderstand me they're necessary. It's the right thing to do that people stay home and keep distant in order to beat this virus but it's still a fact.Further to the civil liberties that have been lost we have a Government empowered by the Epidemic Preparedness Act to alter legislation for instance at a pen stroke with the agreement of a Minister and the Prime Minister. These are times and it's actually anticipated in the Epidemic Preparedness Act that parliamentary scrutiny is more important than at any other time. It's evident from the fact that we're sitting today that it was possible for Parliament to continue sitting taking proper precautions in a way that is consistent with our goal of beating the COVID-19 crisis.I have heard it said that other parliaments are actually adjourning for longer than ours. I don't think that's leadership. I don't think any leader aims to be the world average or worse. Thankfully into a vacuum has emerged excellent leadership. I'm very pleased to hear the superb speech by the Leader of the House when he said that he understands the importance of this place but we must innovate. Businesses up and down this country are engaging in innovation. They are using digital technology new ways of working and even converting the kinds of products they produce. Some whisky distillers are now producing hand sanitiser as we've heard from the Greens. It is right and proper that this Parliament should now introduce its own innovation to continue scrutinising the Government while doing everything we can to reduce the risk of transmission of this virus we are all committed to beating. That is absolutely the right thing to do. It means that we will effectively have a new type of Parliament chaired not by you Mr Speaker but by the leader of the National Party. I think given the circumstances given the amount of power that the Government has that is actually right and proper that we innovate in this way.I leave one final thought for the Leader of the House. I think it is unfortunate that democracy and in particular MPs' electorate offices have been left off the list of essential services. Don't misunderstand me; we will do everything we can to comply. But I can tell you that we're getting bombarded at the moment with people who see us as naturally their democratic input into the political system. I think to have a status quo where it seems to the public reading that being able to get liquor within a liquor trust area justifies keeping liquor stores open in those areas but a local MP's office is somehow not on the list—I would put it to the Government that that is an oversight. It's not that we think we're different. It's not that we think that we're above the law. I think it is the fact that New Zealanders who have elected representatives deserve to be able to access them. I can tell people in the Epsom electorate—and from the responses I'm hearing from people around the Chamber it's not the only electorate—that we will continue to serve. Of course we're going to do it in a way that complies with the rules absolutely wherever possible. But we will still be there on email and phone.So I commend this motion to the House and I look forward to a new world of democracy. Our country goes forward. Thank you Mr Speaker.Motion agreed to.