Blue Jackie: New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans' Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill — In Committee 
Blue Jackie: New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans' Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:631;Page:3521] 
Dr JACKIE BLUE (National) 
: 
 I would like to speak to the title of this bill the New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill. 
In fact I was stopped short; I had wanted actually to speak to Part 2 “Amendments to War Pensions Act 1954 and consequential amendments” but we now have to go to the title. I was quite puzzled by the conversation about why the superannuation entitlement of 52 weeks was being increased to 3 years for those superannuitants or veterans who go and work overseas for voluntary aid organisations such as Volunteer Service Abroad. It is a bit of a puzzle and I would have liked to hear an explanation but unfortunately none was forthcoming. So it is a bit of a mystery why for that one thing this Government will be giving more not less and will be giving more than was asked for. It would be interesting to know the rationale behind that. 
The veterans are an important group. I am not familiar with Volunteer Service Abroad or other voluntary aid organisations but I am interested in the actual numbers of superannuitants or veterans who would want to work overseas for Volunteer Service Abroad or other such organisations. Are we talking huge numbers small numbers or what? I would like to know just so that I can get a sense of the contribution those people make to voluntary aid organisations. I think they deserve to be saluted for the selfless work they do in Third World countries. My colleague Jonathan Coleman was talking about Vanuatu. I have not been there but I hope to go in the near future and I will be looking at what those voluntary aid organisations do. Indeed I will look at how this bill will help those superannuitants and veterans who wish to travel to distant locations to work for not 1 year or 2 years—which is what they actually wanted the superannuation entitlement to cover—but up to 3 years. It is very puzzling indeed. 
I think it is also time to acknowledge—my colleague Jonathan Coleman was absolutely correct—Barbara White who brought a petition to Parliament and was instrumental in this legislation coming forward. She got 1500 signatures or thereabouts. Her petition was to broaden the eligibility criteria. The bill was considered by the Social Services Committee and its report was presented to Parliament in May. So Barbara White needs to be acknowledged for her contribution to this legislation as well as Mr Page who went through a lot of grief at the age of 91 when he was denied a living alone payment because his wife in care still recognised him. That was just bizarre—a bizarre situation. As my colleague Jonathan Coleman pointed out for Mr Page to get a living alone entitlement that couple would have had to divorce—which is just crazy—or to be de facto. As I said before if Mrs Page had been in prison or if the couple had been gay there would not have been an issue. It was quite bizarre outdated legislation and it is right that the new provision should come into Parliament and become law. 
The sharing expenses rule was a great cause of concern and distress among the New Zealand public and it is good that it has been remedied. There is no such bias any more for people who receive income from a family member or some other source. That is fair enough. 
 I think that overall this is a fair bill. It brings balance back. It acknowledges the fact that it is more expensive to live alone and also acknowledges the extra costs involved in looking after a loved one. It is very stressful having a partner or spouse in long-term residential care and this bill goes a long way to help the emotional state of the spouse or partner not in care. I agree wholeheartedly with that and I think the 2000 Mr Pages in this country would agree. 
Lindsay Tisch 
: That’s for sure. 
Dr JACKIE BLUE 
: Absolutely. We have to thank Nick Smith. He was instrumental in getting this bill to come to this House. Mr Page went to Nick Smith and lobbied him. Nick Smith then went to the media but he got no traction on the issue and he had to go on Mr Page’s behalf to the Human Rights Commission in order that we could debate this bill here today. It will be passed and that is a very very good thing. This bill is for the 2000 Mr Pages and for all the superannuitants and veterans who want to do volunteer work in distant countries in Third World countries and give back something of what they have been given. Members must remember that these people have served their country either as veterans—