Lee MelissaMELISSA LEE (National): Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. It's a great pleasure to rise to speak in this Address in Reply debate but first of all I would like to congratulate you Madam Assistant Speaker. I think this is the first opportunity I've had to actually congratulate you on your election to Assistant Speaker. I'm very very happy for you—very well deserved.Just referring to this it's also a great pleasure to actually follow the Minister who just resumed her seat. The Hon Jenny Salesa is a good sort and when she was actually talking about Mother Teresa I was just sitting here reflecting on the fact that perhaps she needs the quality of Mother Teresa to be on that side of the House to deal with her coalition partners: to her left New Zealand First and to her right the Green Party. So I wish you good luck my friend. You will require the patience of Mother Teresa to deal with your coalition partners so well done. Also congratulations on your elevation to Minister for Ethnic Communities. I'm her shadow and I'll be following you around and I look forward to working with you. We have had precedents. We've actually worked together in the past so I know that we work really well so hopefully you just need to answer those questions.I'd like to start by also acknowledging the people in Mt Albert. They have together with so many New Zealanders voted to continue the strong legacy of the National-led Government and voted for a strong economy and an aspirational country. I would also like to acknowledge in particular the voters from the migrant community. For some voting can still be a daunting experience and I acknowledge their support and encouragement for me and my ethnic caucus colleagues as I begin my fourth term as a member of Parliament for the National Party.Just on that note I'd just like to commiserate with my friends on that side Raymond Huo and Louisa Wall who I respect tremendously. I am disappointed for you that you did not actually rise to the ministership but you know your time will come so just be patient. I rate you guys so you just need to wait a little bit.I would also like to acknowledge my Korean community who has staunchly been backing me as a member of Parliament and backing National's vision for families safer communities and a strong economy. I just want to say thank you. Kamsahamnida—that's thank you" in my language.A few days ago I had the distinct privilege of being honoured by the Korean community of Wellington who held a special reception. Apparently being a fourth-term member in Korea's quite a big deal so they decided to do a big dinner and I just want to say thank you. Thank you for coming along and thank you for honouring me. I think it's wonderful that we live in a country that celebrates diversity.I was also reflecting back to my maiden speech and part of that—you know it was also during part of the Address in Reply debate—where I noted how important it was for Asian New Zealanders to be participating in New Zealand's democracy. I quote "voting is the ultimate realisation that we live in a democracy." It is important to say that all voices matter in an election and in making sure our Parliament is representative of the people it legislates for. Whether one is attacked by others for one's last name for or one's accent or indeed for where one tries to build one's life in our country know that we on this side of the House the National Party are listening to all of you and will advocate for all of you in this House and across the community of our nation—although some across on the other side may not.Under the National Government we saw a booming economy we saw more jobs being created by businesses ready to offer innovative research and promote New Zealand's brand on the global stage. We saw better roading across our country and we saw 21st century learning classrooms spring up all across the nation for better education and the building of young minds actually. National has been a champion for the vulnerable and will continue to champion those who will have their voices cut off under this new three-pronged Government.With my new portfolio responsibilities I'm reaching out alongside all of my National parliamentary colleagues to talk to these stakeholders in our communities—our businesses in the country that want to make sure they're being listened to. I can tell this House that people want to ensure that their issues are heard that—[Interruption]The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): Order! Members please don't talk across the aisle. Sorry to interrupt you. Please continue on.MELISSA LEE: Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. People want to know that the Government isn't just dealing with what's interesting to them but to the people of this country and I just want to assure the public that National is in fact listening.As of this morning I have actually written to hundreds of stakeholders and community leaders across broadcasting communications digital media and ethnic communities and started meeting with them to listen to their needs. These are people that are already speaking out about their concerns for the future of New Zealand's migrant communities and for the future of good telecommunications as well. They're concerned because they're unsure what is in store for them and they want to know. They want to have transparency they want to know where they are headed but this Government hasn't actually given them the transparency that they promised them so far. So I will keep on asking questions and my executive assistant tells me that as of today I have asked 579 written questions to Ministers in this 52nd Parliament to ensure that I and the people of New Zealand can hold them to account and support the best transparency and open Government that can be done for the benefit of New Zealand's democracy.Some in the media might actually sort of you know downplay that and say we're wasting our time or whatever—that we're asking pedantic or unnecessary questions but these are important questions. These are important because we want an open transparent Parliament. They are necessary because it has been over a month since the new Government took office and some of those questions that we're asking are not even being answered.Under this Government we are already seeing the election promises backtracked. Less than four or five weeks since taking office just over two months since the election it's disappointing but it is what comes with a Government coalition so lacking in cohesion and practical policy ideas—Hon Kris Faafoi: [Yawns]MELISSA LEE: —that they must look back on what was working I guess. National had a strong innovative plan and so they will actually go along with that. That member across over there yawns. You know they've already backtracked on planting 100 million trees a year. That actually worked out—I had to actually try and calculate how many that would mean in 365 days. That's 274000 trees planted every day including weekends to achieve that target and half of them have already as members have previously said been planted by the industry to replace forestry stock as needed to ensure the long-term production of New Zealand's vibrant forestry industry.They've also backtracked on immigration. Everywhere I go as the ethnic communities spokesperson people tell me they are really concerned about the new Government's policy on immigration because they feel that they're going to be discriminated against—that Labour's immigration policy if they have a colour of skin like mine might actually discriminate or that maybe if they have a surname like mine it might discriminate. They are really really concerned and I urge you the Hon Jenny Salesa to look after your constituents in those ethnic portfolios who are really really concerned. If they haven't talked to you they will be coming your way and speaking very loudly.Alongside my National colleagues championing the needs of the public we are here speaking for the businesses who actually need some work and I wish the new Government the best of luck in their endeavours. So far they're not doing such a great job so I look forward to them improving. Under National's nine years average take-home pay increased by $13000 to $59000 per year a 28 percent increase and this was not merely inflation but real cash in hand for the benefit of those who actually needed it the most. In order for them to catch up to the work that the National Government did Labour's going to have to pedal pretty damn fast. Thank you."