Prasad Rajen: Governor-General Bill — Third Reading 
Prasad Rajen: Governor-General Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:668;Page:15306] 
Dr RAJEN PRASAD (Labour) 
: 
 I am also pleased to take what must be Labour’s final call on the third reading of the Governor-General Bill. First and foremost the bill gives proper recognition to this important office. I agree with Sir Geoffrey Palmer who said that the Governor-General is an important symbol of our nation and that the position symbolises our sense of national unity and national identity. There is something in this role that is about us about “New Zealand Inc.” and about New Zealand society in the modern world. From that perspective it is right and proper that the provisions that relate to the person who occupies this position are contained in clear and unambiguously stated stand-alone legislation. This is precisely what the Governor-General Bill has done. From that perspective it is an excellent bill. 
As many other speakers in this debate have said the bill streamlines and makes transparent the provisions we make for future Governors-General. The bill will be simpler to administer. That is very clear because it is stated in unambiguous language. It modernises the old-fashioned old language of the Civil List Act brings it into modern form and places it before anybody who wants to understand what the provisions are. The bill does a number of additional things. There is something in the nature of New Zealanders that prefers a flat society in the sense that there are no tall poppies. One provision the exemption from income tax in the present legislation will be changed by this bill. The Governor-General’s remuneration will be determined by an independent authority and then the Governor-General is required to pay tax like the rest of us. That indeed has been a very popular provision and it reflects the nature of New Zealand society without reducing the symbolism of this important role one iota. 
I am also particularly pleased to recognise that the bill defines the family in modern-day terms and makes provisions for that family—our first family if you like. That also recognises the role played by the spouse of the Governor-General. When the time comes for the spouse to be supported when he or she is without the kind of support that is provided by the Governor-General then we know that the provisions will be there. This bill makes that very very clear. In those senses this is a very transparent bill. It makes all of those provisions very transparent and provides for greater openness and accountability. It is very easy to hold those holding the post and others around that person accountable for this office and for the expenditure of the office as well. Those are very very good useful and modern provisions for this important office—symbolically our first family. 
I turn my attention briefly to talk a little more about the office of Governor-General and indeed the current Governor-General the Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand and Her Excellency Lady Susan Satyanand. I want to talk through their performance and the importance of this office. It has already been stated elsewhere that this is the highest office in the land and it carries huge symbolism. One of my observations is that the last 4 or 5 weeks have been a period of tremendous celebration in the Indian community as my colleague Mr Kanwaljit Bakshi will recognise as well. He has been present along with myself and many other members of Parliament at these celebrations. The Governor-General himself has been present along with Lady Susan Satyanand at these celebrations. There was something different something additional something special and something new about the speeches made during the last 4 weeks of the Diwali celebrations especially in the speeches made by the Governor-General and indeed in the reaction from and behaviour of those who came to celebrate Diwali with the Governor-General. It seemed as though New Zealanders wanted to acknowledge this first couple in a very special way as it was most likely to be their last Diwali celebrations. They wanted to demonstrate their respect to the Indian community to a Governor-General of Indian background but also to other New Zealanders as well. The audiences were much more diverse this year and they seemed to be making a point of recognising the tremendous contribution of Sir Anand and Lady Susan Satyanand. 
Since their inauguration over 4 years ago they have set very high expectations of themselves and they have indeed set a very high standard and a very exacting standard of their own performance the performance of their own staff and indeed their own outputs everywhere they have been. They have also pursued a particular agenda for the last 4½ years. They decided it seems a long time ago that Sir Anand Satyanand’s time as Governor-General would focus on inclusiveness—the inclusive nature of our society. Their intention was to respond to as many cultures in New Zealand as possible and to as many of the ethnic groups of New Zealand as possible. That is the importance of this office for whom this bill makes these modern provisions so much so that much of the customary greeting of the present Governor-General has become almost legendary. The Governor-General does not leave anybody out; he recognises everybody. Indeed he also acknowledges everybody in the language of their land as well as recognising sign language. 
Those kinds of things have been particularly appreciated by New Zealanders up and down this country. I have had like many other members of this House many many opportunities to observe our first family performing and going about their work. They have focused on the importance of the family—Lady Susan Satyanand has in particular—and they have taken every opportunity with audiences to ensure that the importance of the family is underscored. They have stopped to speak to many many New Zealanders from every walk of life. People are surprised at how much time they make for New Zealanders who want to get close to them understand who they might be and spend a few minutes with them. They have hosted many functions. They have travelled widely overseas and represented us well. Sir Anand is probably one of the most widely travelled Governors-General and Lady Susan Satyanand is well travelled as well. Everywhere they go their message is the same: they are proud New Zealanders putting the country’s best foot forward. Indeed they have not given anybody cause to say anything other than “What great New Zealanders.” 
So it has been surprising that in recent times somebody began to question them as New Zealanders. But that gave New Zealanders the opportunity to recognise Sir Anand and Lady Susan Satyanand and I record my thanks to them for the way they have conducted themselves. So this bill makes modern provisions for the office of the Governor-General for people like the present Governor-General and Lady Susan Satyanand and for people in the future and their families. Labour supports this bill very very strongly. Thank you.