Bennett PaulaHon PAULA BENNETT (National—Upper Harbour): Thank you Mr Speaker and thank you for your patience of allowing everyone to come in—SPEAKER: I wouldn't go that far.Hon PAULA BENNETT: OK. I thought you were very patient for you. Fifteen years ago nearly to the day I walked into this building as an MP. I loved walking up the outside library stairs into that incredible building. I would drink it in take a moment pinch myself remember what I was here for and then head to the smallest office in this precinct. I was last in on the National Party list in 2005. I ran for the experience not expecting to be an MP that year but National's result meant I quietly snuck in. Of course for the next 15 years I didn't do anything quietly but we'll get to that a little bit later.The Christmas of 2004—while deciding with my family whether to put my hat in the ring—my uncle Mike sat me down. He said Go for it but promise you won't stay more than three terms—no longer than nine years." In his mind MPs lost their way after that and got too full of themselves and anyway as a farmer "It's not real work." So last year as he was sick and dying I said to him "I'm sorry I broke our promise." He laughed and in his straightforward way said to me "Let's be honest Paula when I made you make that promise none of us actually expected you'd do so well." It's been a hell of a ride from list MP to Deputy Prime Minister to deputy leader of the National Party. I know how proud my uncle was of me. In fact I know how proud all my family are of me. My Alan has been my rock since I was 19 years old. I often think he is the first feminist I ever met. Even for the couple of decades or so since then that we weren't together he was still my rock. He believed I could do anything I set my mind to and then has had my back. We married while I was in Parliament. He knew who he was marrying but I don't think anything could have prepared him for the toll this job takes but he has unconditionally loved and supported me. The other week he informed me that he feels unshackled yeah? He no longer has to come under the scrutiny because of my public profile and he's going to go out there—and I've got to say it scared me. And then I thought about it and thought stuff it I'm joining him on the wild side honey; although at our age that is probably coffee after midday and the odd night at 11 p.m. I can't do justice to my bloke in this speech and anyway it's our private lives that speak louder than any speech I give ever will. Oh and happy birthday Alan.My parents are here today. My mum is a woman of grace and dignity. I got the street-fighter from my dad. They have both put up with a lot over the decades. I am so grateful to them and my brothers and my close family and friends for always reminding me what is important and for forgiving me when I missed yet another family event. I am sorry for the intrusion my being an MP has had on their lives at times. One of the major bonuses of marrying Alan—and I remind him of this often—was that his daughter Willoe came into my life. I am so lucky to have such a strong independent opinionated and gorgeous woman as you. So go hard Willoe; I have got your back.Now I don't know how to talk about my daughter Ana in a speech like this without getting really emotional. So holy moly yep our journey has been quite something so far. I used to think that you are my biggest accomplishment and then I realised that that gives me far too much credit. Quite frankly you are the staunch wahine the loving giving caring kick-arse woman you are today because it is simply all of who you are. So when I see you with my three beautiful grandchildren it just blows me away. To our Tia and our Nate and Hunter—all that you and Ray are as awesome parents. I am just so damned proud of you.So I stood for Waitakere a Labour seat in 2005. I didn't win but came back in 2008 and took the seat off Labour and man I loved that electorate. It was hard work and I never took it for granted. My westies never hold back. They tell you exactly what they think and I wouldn't have it any other way. I've had to break up fights on the streets avoid a few punches myself and been owned by them in a good way. Notoriously I won Waitakere on election night 2011 lost it on the specials and won it by nine votes on a recount. I've got to say hats off to Carmel because she fought hard and I've always secretly admired her for it.I then moved to the new seat of Upper Harbour when Waitakere was no longer. It's an amazing place. It changes daily with its growth and is one of the most interesting and diverse electorates. So many people have helped me. I have had incredible local National volunteers. I can't speak highly enough of the people who've supported and backed the National Party and have played a vital part. You all deserve a special mention but that's too risky so can I just call out to my electorate chairs Leone Wyatt Chris Penk Don Ryrie and especially to Leigh Morrow. Leigh we have made quite a team for the last six years. I'll have the wine ready on 20 September. Those that have worked with me over the years in electorates I want to sincerely thank you. Constituents have been so incredibly well-served by you. You are professional understanding compassionate and hard working. I thank you all but make special mention of Jackie Fairweather who has been with me—she looks terrified at that—for 12 years. She's tried to leave but she keeps coming back. And of course to Vivienne Brumby who's been with me for nearly 10 years. Thank you both so incredibly much.I have always believed you have to have a plan and then you need a back-up plan. That goes both personally and professionally. A back-up plan makes you brave. When I entered Parliament in 2005 I left a job in recruitment that I loved. I really got a buzz out of understanding different businesses and then placing people into that business who would help them achieve their goals and fit their culture. So when I came in in 2005 I knew that if politics didn't work out for me I could go back to something I loved. The worst thing that could happen is I would end up doing something else that I enjoyed. So I went for it. I gave it everything I had. With the help of some incredible people in those early years like Murray McCully Katherine Rich John Key Bill English and a very smart driven staff in the then leader's office I took every opportunity that came my way—although help comes in many forms. I remember the first time I got to question a Minister in this House I was terrified. My knees were shaking voice was getting quaky. I'm sitting there; I'm literally sweating. The Speaker calls my name. As I'm standing up McCully leans in and says "This is big; don't stuff it up."—not that helpful.In 2008 becoming the Minister for Social Development and Child Youth and Family was daunting and exciting. Nothing can prepare you for a job like that. I was considered by many as the "weak link". There were bets on around this building as to how many months I would survive—that only emboldened me to prove them wrong.As we were well into the global financial crisis and many people were losing their jobs we needed an immediate plan. We quickly implemented the ReStart redundancy support and job support scheme to respond to the recession. These temporary financial packages have been recently put in place in various iterations to help us during the COVID economic crisis. We also introduced the job opportunities and Community Max programmes to specifically assist young people. Even though these were the hardest times that we had seen for a long time we were able to see many positive results. Nearly 10000 young people were helped with the Community Max and job support programmes and 73 percent did not go on benefit when they finished. One third of job seekers were being exited into jobs before entering the benefit system but more had to be done. These short-term measures were important but our welfare system was part of the reason we were seeing intergenerational welfare dependence and too many people stuck in a cycle of hardship reliant only on State assistance and a belief they would be there for decades. The system seemed to throw people on welfare and then largely ignore them and not offer them a path out. Sole parents were not expected to look for work until their youngest child was 18 years old. We too quickly wrote those with disabilities off ignoring the huge potential many had and their desire to work. We designed a plan to make significant changes to the system that would look at what people could do—to believe that they had a contribution to society that would improve their lives and also mean that we could reduce the huge welfare bill to taxpayers. I have been truly inspired by sole parents in this country. I understand how difficult it is to raise a child on your own and believe you don't have the experience or skills to enter the workforce. Those on welfare don't need sympathy. They need to be backed encouraged and supported to plan their future and see a path off welfare dependency. We are currently taking backward steps and that's before COVID. Sympathy and kindness do not put food on the table or pay your bills. We need to understand dependency. We need to understand decades of despair and marginalisation that in too many people's lives turns to violence welfare dependency and a pretty crappy life. But equally we have to be careful that that understanding doesn't turn into an excuse and we lose our belief in people and their ability and their sense of self-responsibility.We undertook the biggest welfare reforms that the country had seen. The emphasis was on people being available to work and on what they could do instead of what they couldn't. We invested more on those that were at the highest risk of staying on welfare long term. We spent more on job support and training and worked directly with employers and subsidised employment so they would give people a go so they could prove themselves. We saw over 30000 fewer people on sole parent support because of these changes. I met remarkable people who are living bigger and better lives because they were in worthwhile work and had a huge sense of self-worth.Working with and for teen parents was personal for me. I met some of the most incredible young people raising their children studying in teen parent units and being supported by amazing people running homes and programmes. We extended support to them. We changed the welfare system so they received more support but weren't just handed hundreds of dollars a week and then ignored like they had been previously. Instead we paid their rent and utilities insisted that where possible they be in training. We helped look after their babies and supported them to budget and plan a life that wasn't welfare dependent. It's some of the work I am most proud of. And to all those parents thanks for the baby cuddles. Most days that I was out and about I insisted that a childcare centre or school be in my diary as I needed children to remind me why we do what we do and just to make my day a bit better.I have always believed the answers to long-term dependency child abuse neglect and violence are in our communities. There is no programme that a politician or a bureaucrat can design that will solve these complex issues. Our community and Māori organisations I believe are best placed with support from the State to assist those that are living hard lives. We have to set targets and accountabilities bring in Māori community leaders beneficiaries workers and the business sector and know it will take some time but we can improve people's lives. We need to set communities up to succeed. Money is currently being thrown around but with no accountability. We have to be bold brave. How can throwing millions and millions of dollars around and hoping some gets to those that need it most through Government agencies and community organisations and yet watching more people in despair be OK? Where is the accountability to the taxpayer but more importantly where is the accountability for those people that so desperately deserve more help? Targets measures and accountability have gone. I regret Bill English that we didn't get another three years to truly implement social investment into our bureaucracy and into our communities. We had tested and trialled had seen people's lives changing and we were ready to scale it up significantly.Alongside this work we implemented the vulnerable children's action plan. We have to do better for the children who are being traumatised and abused in this country. Much of the work that has happened in the last five years was started under my watch. We travelled up and down the country talking to people who worked with or cared for or had been abused themselves and designed significant changes. Needless to say there is still much to be done. But can I thank the young people who spoke bluntly about their experiences in the system and the changes needed the incredible foster parents grandparents raising their grandchildren and those that have dedicated their lives to working with the most vulnerable. You have truly humbled me and I salute you. Can I also acknowledge all of those who work in sexual violence. I learnt a lot from you and about the specialised response that victims need. I watched you getting bounced around between different agencies with no one wanting to take responsibility and had to something. I hope me becoming the first Minister to take on sexual violence made a difference.One day on a busy day of ministerial visits I was meeting a group of young people. As I turned up I could see the teachers and the parents had put a lot of work into organising the event. As I stepped from the car they said to me how excited the kids were that I was there. I thought "Yeah they'd be excited at Richie McCaw. They might be excited at a famous singer. I'm not sure they're that excited that a Minister is visiting but we'll do it you know." So inside I speak for a bit and I take questions. I see an adult nudge a young person and this kid kind of reluctantly stands up and he then asks me the question that every politician should dread: "Minister can I ask you anything?" So I glue a smile on my face and I nod and say yes and he stands there and he sort of shuffles his feet and he looks at me and he goes "What did Jesus do as a teenager?" I'm in my head going crikey he was a carpenter he went walkabout for a while was in a manger—you know. And then it dawned on me—wrong minister!I have held 14 portfolios and each has challenged me and given me enormous opportunity to change the system to improve New Zealanders' lives. There are remarkable people up and down the country working in our police. I feel for our tourism industry right now but also know how positive they are and have the ability to pull through. Social housing was a difficult portfolio but we were able to reform our State housing into warmer modern homes better suited to New Zealanders' needs—some of whom are just moving in now. I focused a lot on women having equal opportunity and felt we needed to tidy up our own backyard before we lectured others on what to do. Women on State sector boards increased to over 46 percent and I was privileged to see a number of women succeed in chief executive roles within Government. I like action so within National I led the charge on us mentoring potential women who could influence National be they potential candidates or office holders. I turbo-charged our Dame Hilda Ross Foundation raised money and financially supported women candidates and ran seminars. I'd like to acknowledge my fellow women MPs Louise Upston Jacqui Dean Nicky Wagner and board member Pat Seymour for the big part that you actually played as well. Louise I'm looking at you to keep that going and driving that work.I signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and worked alongside our agriculture forestry and business sectors to plan true change in how we live our lives to better look after our planet. I visited some of our remotest and hardest-hit Pacific islands and saw firsthand the vulnerability they are exposed to because of climate change. While on that visit at a large gathering where New Zealand was acknowledged for the work that they had done in the Pasifika way they wanted to give gifts to show their respect. So the EU commissioner who was travelling with us was duly—in front of the hundreds that were there—given a framed picture. McCully stood up and he was duly given a carved canoe. And then they looked at me as the most senior Minister on the trip and the Prime Minister's face just lit up aglow. He was so pleased and he said to me literally "Because you're a woman we've made you a laundry basket." The look on the officials' faces as they didn't know what to do—like I swear one almost wanted to dive in front of said laundry basket. I graciously accepted the gift of course and I may have a couple of months later when Acting PM for a day actually called those officials and made them stand for an official unveiling ceremony for said laundry basket.Through State services we implemented the Better Public Services targets. If you don't have a target and measure against them then really you're just drifting and making decisions based on the best headline and not the best result for New Zealanders. I also worked to make changes to our Government agencies that would see their success measured across all of Government not in individual agencies. As I heard even in the House this week people don't live their lives in a tidy little Government box and I note that that work is continuing.I managed to upset quite a few people in local government when I was the Minister and I don't resile from that for a moment. You guys need to change dramatically. It is ridiculous to have as many councils local bureaucracy and doubling up in assets as we do in a country of this size. Through all of this I have been supported encouraged and held to account by some of the best. I have deep admiration for our Public Service. I worked with professionals who were passionate about improving the lives of New Zealanders. I won't name you and stuff up your careers but know that I truly admire what you do and thank you for your service.John Key backed me and believed in me. He didn't just open the door. He stuck a wedge in it to stop it whacking me on the backside as I struggled through and occasionally tripped. He kept giving me challenging portfolios and he moved me into his kitchen cabinet. I responded well to his leadership style it would be fair to say. Some of you will remember when the rules changed in the Beehive and you could no longer just go up and down at will; you had to swipe in. Let me explain why. So I was giving one of my very motivational speeches—and listening to Alastair it's similar. Young people were in Parliament—and they were young people that were in foster care actually—and they were getting awards and it was really cool. I was doing my best motivational you know "Don't let anyone tell you what you can't do. Grab opportunities take a risk open doors." One on the autism spectrum took me literally. She then managed to get out of the event that we were at into the Beehive and convinced people that she was the Prime Minister's hairdresser. She then managed to go around the building for a good 30 minutes as we'd kind of get sightings and then she would avoid them and managed to scrape through. I thought she was amazing yeah—I thought she was absolutely cool. She opened doors man and that young woman did not take no for an answer. Anyway—sorry Wayne—and then about half an hour later the phone goes and it's John Key and I'm like "Oh this ain't gonna be good." He rings and he just sort of says to me "I've just heard about it. Where is she? I'd love to meet her." and I thought yeah that's the measure of it. One of the most intelligent dedicated funny and frustrating—and yes I mean frustrating because he wouldn't let me get away with anything. He loved a good debate and it often took him far too long to realise I was right and we could've skipped all of that—Bill English. Thank you to both Bill and John for their support during my career.Simon these last couple of years have been really something. They have been fun and interesting and yes at times challenging. Thank you for making me watch another video of your children being children when we needed a light moment. Thank you actually for the respect that you and Natalie have shown to me to our caucus to the National Party to the country. I have in many ways learnt more in the last two years than I have in the last 10 and I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone else.National is in my blood. To Judy Kirk to Peter Goodfellow presidents—thank you both so much. To present and past board members especially Andrew and Alastair and Roger and Glenda and Pat your dedication to this party and support has meant so much. Peter Kiely I have needed your help far too often. Advice to new MPs: take his advice. To the wonderful National staff you are a formidable team I have loved working with but mostly to all the volunteers that stand out in the rain turn up every time deliver brochures give a damn about this country I have felt so much stronger for your support. Thank you thank you thank you. In the words made famous from Journey don't stop believing. Judith Gerry our caucus: you are the best. Many of you have become lifelong friends. Go well—the country needs you and you have my support. To the media: I haven't always liked it I have seldom agreed but I actually respect you and the role you play in our democracy. I hope that continued Budget cuts in your industry don't mean that you don't have time to investigate and challenge.Lastly but by no means least to the many amazing women—and a few men—I have had the privilege of working with and who've worked for me. I'm too nervous to mention you all for fear of missing someone out but you have been the biggest part of any successes I've had. A smart leader should never be the smartest person in the room and when I shared a room with you I was never at risk of that. You have been the most driven smart dedicated people that I am humbled to know and have worked with. We have cried and laughed and yes occasionally partied but mostly we have been completely driven by trying to do our best respecting the incredibly privileged roles that we had. I'm going to roast the hell out of you later.I'm far from perfect and I know that but my intent my heart my integrity has meant that I have slept well. This place is brutal. It will pick up the spade and bury you if you let it. It is relentless but we sign up knowing that. So I went hard and full-on. For me to have not made a difference and not given it everything I've got would've been wasted time. So I end this chapter half the size but twice the woman thanks to this experience. I'm so excited about the future and I wish you all well. [Applause]WaiataSitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m."