Simpson Scott: Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSimpson Scott: Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 02 July 2013. Volume:691;Page:11539. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel):It is a pleasure to stand and rise in the second reading debate of the Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill in the name of the Minister of Justice the Hon Judith Collins. As chairman of the Justice and Electoral Committee I am more than a little disappointed to hear the comments from Andrew Little the previous speaker. I think that probably what we have heard from him today really goes to the core of the differences between how members on this side of the House see people’s individual private lives and their ability to solve their own issues versus members on that side of the House where they take the view that the State mustbe in control of every aspect of people’s lives. We would accept that the State does have a role but as a first priority people should be allowed to and encouraged to sort their affairs out for themselves in a way that is going to be far more productive to them than going to court. The evidence is overwhelming. The evidence is overwhelming that if couples can sort out their matrimonial relationship issues out of court then that proves to be a better result every time.This bill aims to ensure a modern and accessible family justice system. As the Minister said in her address it is the first major significant reform of our Family Court system in the more than 30 years since it was established. I would like to thank the Minister for her careful consideration of the submissions that were received by the committee. I would also like to thank the other committee members because I think that notwithstanding our political differences and our philosophical differences the committee did an exceptionally good job. There were 386 written submissions and we heard 217 oral submissions. That is a big piece of work for a select committee to do. I wanted to thank members for their patience and for their careful considerations of all the submissions. We heard evidence in Wellington here in Auckland and in Christchurch. The committee’s recommendations changed significantly the first draft of the bill and I think that indicates that in fact the select committee system can work very well when there is an opportunity to allow it to do so in a way that produces better legislation.The changes that have been incorporated into the bill for instance will provide up to 4 hours of legal support before entry into the courts for parents who meet the legal aid threshold. The bill will provide up to 3 hours of preparatory counselling for eligible parents so that they can make the most of the family dispute resolution process. A judge will be empowered to refer parties back to family dispute resolution or the Parenting through Separation course if it is likely to help resolution. These are all steps designed to bring about a good solution for the people and the children involved. Lawyers will be able to get involved earlier in the court process at the judge’s discretion if that would increase the chances of a successful resolution. Provisions of the bill will be able to be brought into force by an Order in Council as opposed to a set date and that is to enable a more flexible approach in terms of implementing the reforms that the bill contains.This bill has its genesis arising out of serious concerns about issues that users of the Family Court have made clear over such a long period of time. We heard some evidence from people some of it in secret and some of it in private and that evidence was harrowing. The sorts of concerns that people have the type of time frame that is taken and the amount of money involved are very very scary. So this bill really is based on trying to make the system better and to get better outcomes. There was a review and the review found that although the complicated court process can cause lengthy delays that was probably no surprise to the people who have had experience of being involved in the Family Court. People know that it is adversarial that it places stress on already stressed relationships and situations that it is negative for the children involved and that it is not focused enough on their needs.I commend this bill to the House. It is a significant advancement in the course of our Family Court system. The process will ensure better outcomes. I reject completely the suggestions from the Labour Party lead on this who said that in fact it will cause problems. This is a bill designed to create solutions rather than problems. Thank you.