Yates Dianne: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Yates Dianne: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:610;Page:7299] 
6.  
DIANNE YATES (NZ Labour—Hamilton East) 
 to the  
Minister of Women's Affairs 
: How was New Zealand’s report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women received when she presented it to the committee last week? 
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister of Women's Affairs) 
: 
 The committee acknowledged—and I would like to quote from its press release—“New Zealand’s impressive legislation for the advancement of women.” The committee chair praised New Zealand for having adopted a very sensitive approach to women’s human rights and stated we—again I quote—“had a good chance of becoming a good practice example to many countries in the world.” 
Nanaia Mahuta 
: What improvements have been made for New Zealand women since the Government’s last report to the UN committee in 1998? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: We have introduced some significant measures over the past few years including the introduction of paid parental leave following serious concerns from the UN committee about the previous National-led Government’s lack of action on this issue in the 1990s. We have established a pay equity task force established an Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner and implemented the New Zealand Family Violence Prevention Strategy. 
Dr Paul Hutchison 
: Given the extremely serious public health and human rights issues relating to the 6-week-old baby of the breast-feeding prostitute at Hawera does her Government plan to take the advice of the United Nations committee that recommended overturning the Prostitution Reform Act; if not how does she think the United Nations would view a law that allows the spectre of a prostitute mother of a 6-week-old baby openly marketing her milk? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: Although it is slightly presumptuous of me to assume I know the views of the committee I imagine that its members would be really unimpressed as are the overwhelming majority of parliamentarians. The issue of the recent passing of the prostitution reform law was raised by two members of the 23-member committee and I am very pleased to say that during the conversations I had with the committee its members understood fully that it was our clear understanding our compliance with article 6 of the convention continued with the passing of that legislation. 
Barbara Stewart 
: In the light of the Minister’s answer does she agree with the view expressed at the United Nations women’s committee that the new prostitution laws are a rubber-stamping for the exploitation of women in New Zealand; if not why not? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: No I do not agree with that view and it was not the view of the committee. One member expressed that concern and I certainly support her right to do so; another member asked questions about the specifics of the legislation. 
Larry Baldock 
: How does the Minister justify allowing the following pathetic paragraph from page 51 of the New Zealand report: “The incidence of trafficking of women appears to have diminished in recent years. This is believed to have resulted from high-profile operations involving the Police and the New Zealand Immigration Service during the mid-1990s”; has the Minister visited Auckland recently and how can she allow that statement to be delivered? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: There are three questions there already. The Minister can answer two of them. 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: I hope that one of them is whether I have visited Auckland recently because I can confirm that that is indeed the case. The reason I am able to confirm the information contained on page 51 in relation to trafficking is that it is true. 
Dr Paul Hutchison 
: Given the serious human rights and public health issues relating to the 6-week-old baby of the breastfeeding prostitute in Hawera does she not think that the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women would expect at least our Minister of Health and Minister for Social Development and Employment to intervene and why has our Government done nothing to protect the baby? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: As I indicated in answer to a previously asked and very similar question I am not able to assume that I know the response of the UN committee in relation to something that has not been directly raised with it. 
Helen Duncan 
: Did the UN committee identify any issues requiring further attention? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: Yes the United Nations committee certainly did. It acknowledged the positive gains but cautioned us against complacency and singled out several issues such as pay inequity and remaining gender stereotypes as needing ongoing attention. 
Larry Baldock 
: Is the Minister aware of the comments by the committee on page 22 of the report: “The committee expresses concern that the Government”—of New Zealand—“did not provide sufficient data and information on prostitution the Prostitutes’ Collective and the treatment of sex workers who were in the country illegally.”; if so what does the Government plan to do about that now? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: I regret that I am not familiar with that particular phrase. The committee has not reported yet. The committee has issued a press statement following our report to it. The formal report is not due for another few days yet but I am happy to take up the matter further with the member when the report is presented 
Larry Baldock 
: I seek the leave of the House to table pages 22 50 and 51 of the report that was submitted to the UN committee. 
Documents by leave laid on the Table of the House.