van de Molen TimTIM VAN DE MOLEN (National—Waikato): Well thank you Madam Speaker. In the absence of anyone showing any interest on the other side of the House I shall rise and take a call which is a little disappointing actually given the nature of what we are debating tonight that no one on that side is showing sufficient respect to our superannuitants and veterans who have served their country to do them justice by actually reflecting on the particular changes that are put forward in this piece of legislation. We've actually seen a theme of that over the duration of today's debate where members of the Government are pushing through a raft of different pieces of legislation and doing so in an expedited manner which is unbecoming of the House really if one were to consider it. That's a personal view of course but the reality is that we're here hearing very short calls from the Government side not doing justice to what are some reasonably important pieces of legislation for those that are impacted by it; in this instance of course those superannuitants and veterans who have served their country. I really want to take the opportunity to elaborate on that a bit through the duration of my call and perhaps pick up on some of the things and on behalf of everyone here acknowledge those contributions even if we're not seeing that forthcoming from the other side. I wanted to start by acknowledging the comments made by Jenny Marcroft in relation to her father I believe it was who had served in J-force.Jenny Marcroft: J-force K-force.TIM VAN DE MOLEN: J-force and K-force yes. My grandfather actually served in J-force as well in Japan post - World War II. I just thought that was a nice little connection. When we think about that in New Zealand there are so many families that have some direct connection to a member who has served or members who now continue to service in the New Zealand Defence Force and there are a few members within this House as well. I'd like to acknowledge Chris Penk our veterans spokesperson who started our contribution on behalf of this side of the House on this particular bill for his service as well. Also having been fortunate enough to have had the privilege of serving in the New Zealand Defence Force briefly myself I can clarify for Ms Marcroft that whilst the 16th Field Regiment is indeed a great unit you cannot beat the infantry. Infantry is what makes or breaks any war and in that regard—DEPUTY SPEAKER: And do they get superannuation do they?TIM VAN DE MOLEN: So in terms of the superannuation and the veterans who have proudly served in many infantry regiments I'd suggest and come through now to the opportunity where they are getting some appropriate support from the Government of our country in relation to recognising the service they have provided over a period of time by then providing some support and assistance back to them as they move through their twilight years I suppose and superannuation phase. Actually many of these people are still contributing in meaningful ways. That may be in terms of community groups or associations where they are experiencing or displaying a higher level of volunteerism within the different communities that they represent. So from that perspective it is important that we make sure we get the rules right and I think it's fair to accept that we haven't necessarily had that right.I'll just touched briefly on what my colleague Scott Simpson mentioned as well in terms of some of the contributions he'd heard from constituents as well where there had been a number of issues raised around eligibility to pensions and superannuation. I've had a number of those cases come across my desk as well. [Interruption] And we hear members on the Government laughing and criticising. I understand they don't really perhaps understand what the issues are here because they're not constituent MPs largely so they don't have these cases coming across the desks. But there have been many constituent cases come across my desk as the member of Parliament for Waikato where people have raised concerns around the issues of overseas pensions impacting on a New Zealand citizen's right to access particular levels of superannuation. So it is quite appropriate now that we are finally making some changes. Again we've had well nearly three years' worth of this Government and the changes have been reasonably slow in coming in that regard. But I would like to commend and acknowledge the Minister for making a last ditch effort to twitch something across the line prior to going out of Government and into Opposition. We've seen a clear trend coming through with tonight's polls in that regard that will see National soaring to victory in just three months' time. But this particular Government have made some good changes here and we do support this bill because there are some relevant aspects to it. And on those fronts we do acknowledge and accept there needed to be change over time. So that spousal deduction that's gone now. That's appropriate. And I think one of the other key aspects is they're actually making this simpler to apply for. There were several steps that had to be progressed through that were I'd suggest overly complex and perhaps restrictive somewhat in enabling people to access what they were appropriately entitled to. So by seeing some of those simplifications coming through in this piece of legislation I think that's a good step and I would commend the Government for bringing those forward as well to try and streamline the process and just make it easier to get the right result for those people that deserve this level of support after their contributions.I'm focusing here mainly on the veterans' side because that's a particular passion of mine for those who are now getting—Hamish Walker: Tell us about your experience Tim.TIM VAN DE MOLEN: —that level of—Hon Member: How many years mate?TIM VAN DE MOLEN: —service and—ha ha! Yes plenty of requests here to talk more about the infantry and whilst I am always happy to delve into some of those discussions I'm not sure that tonight is quite the right session for that. So I would encourage them to follow an infantry mantra that we all follow taught early in our training; that is hurry up and wait. I am happy to impart some more stories post tonight's discussions. But in terms of some of the other aspects that I just want to touch on here one of the key changes that's been brought forward is in relation to the list of places of residence that are now eligible. And I think that's an appropriate reflection of the fact that we have changed a number of ways in which we live and operate within society now and those changing societal demands and in terms of relationships and also our working partners and the likes—Hon Kris Faafoi: Oh here come the motorhomes.TIM VAN DE MOLEN: —that comes into it. I hear strong interest from the other side of the House in relation to motorhomes. I'm happy to pick up on that motorhomes theme because actually this morning in the Transport and Infrastructure Committee we heard some submissions in relation to tiny homes and the consideration they should be given and the classifications therefore for what becomes a place of residence in relation to this bill. So they are quite relevant in the nature of this evening's discussion. Hon Member: We're interested.Hon Member: They're all watching closely.TIM VAN DE MOLEN: And it is good to hear that they are interested because the select committee this morning was also interested. I note Mr Eagle was on that and asking some very pertinent questions throughout the—Hon Kris Faafoi: Name dropping.TIM VAN DE MOLEN: —course of that. I'm always quite happy to namedrop Mr Eagle as a hardworking member of Parliament who I believe is under-utilised by the Labour Party who surely don't pick up on the fine talents on display and available by that fine member.So what we've seen here through this piece of legislation is: proposing a new regulation-making power to enable those different types of residences to be brought into play as required. As our needs evolve as processes change as living requirements change and models of living example adapt as well then it is necessary to reflect that in our legislation. Tiny homes tiny dwellings—call it what you may—are an aspect of it.We've also seen just recently where the Minister for Building and Construction has brought forward a few changes in that space to enable some of those small dwellings to be built without consents and having just recently picked up that building construction portfolio that's a particular area—Hon Kris Faafoi: This is going straight to the Facebook page.TIM VAN DE MOLEN: —that I wanted to touch on tonight. And it's encouraging to hear the high level of support from the other side of the House for my contribution this evening. One of the other areas that's important to reflect on is also the changing nature of retirement options within New Zealand. And when we think back 20 30 50 years ago the range of options that were available and the types of dwellings or residences that might have been utilised by our older New Zealanders are significantly different to what they are now. I had the privilege recently to meet with the Retirement Villages Association and hear about some of the different types of dwellings that are being put forward there. So in that nature it is quite relevant to ensure we're modernising our legislation to account for that. So while on the balance of things I think we're landing in a good space—we have indicated our support for this as the National Party—it has been a little disappointing it's taken two years and eight months into this parliamentary term to get to the point where we are progressing some of these changes. But broadly they make relevant and necessary updates to bring us into line with the needs of those particular people. I would just like to end by thanking all those who have served their country and particularly the infantry picking up on Mr King's comments there and acknowledge that this has some appropriate changes for those who are now in their twilight years and I thank them for their service.