SpeechHon ALFRED NGARO (National): Thank you Mr Speaker. It doesn't get any more serious than this. We've been in this House previously before. We've talked about euthanasia; now we're talking about abortion. This is probably one of the most liberal forms of Government that we've seen in many many years that has decided to change the fabric of the values of this country. I hold before you what was sent to me: a 20-week replica of a child and also too the korowai that was given by Louise Kapene Green. Why? Because she wanted me to bring this into the House to remind us what we are fighting for in this place and in this House.I remind the House of Representatives—SPEAKER: And the aid will now put below the desk.Hon ALFRED NGARO: —that in McGee it's very clear what our purpose and our roles of responsibility are. Page 4 says this:  'To represent government and the people' The final function of the House … [identified here] reverts partly to the idea embodied in the title of the original New Zealand Constitution Act—the idea of the representation of the views of the populace." The views of the people have been heard: 25718 submissions 91.6 percent oppose this bill. These are not just church people these are medical practitioners these are health professionals that are out there in the field and these are everyday ordinary New Zealanders who've taken the time to write a submission. This is a democratic process. Can I remind the members of the House here that it's part of our role of responsibility to hear the views of the community and of this nation that have spoken really strongly.Just recently—in fact just yesterday—a letter was sent from 20 of the largest churches' congregations representing almost 630000 to 800000 people and here's what they declare: "The profound and pervasive flaw of this Bill is that it erases all consideration for the human worth of the unborn child and … makes no attempt to balance the needs of the mother and the child and to give at least some protection to the unborn [child]." The people have been speaking. They have been very clear.Can I also remind that there was also a petition—one of many—1300 from Downright Discrimination opposed this bill. Why? Because they're clearly telling us the fact is that this bill is unsafe; this bill has discrimination to the people in which it matters most. So here's the message I want to leave to the members on the other side. You see the nation is looking down to us. We are 120 MPs that have to make a decision. We represent the views and the values of this nation. The nation has been speaking—speaking very clearly. But can I remind you here's the point that we're fighting for: both lives matter. I go to the point of the Attorney-General and his advice and here's what he says in paragraph 23 of his letter: "I conclude there are two equally important interests at play: personal bodily autonomy on the one hand; and a broad societal interest in the preservation of human life on the other." This bill is not safe. This bill does not represent the two perspectives. Can I read also too from the High Court and here's what they say: "Currently our abortion law seeks to balance these competing interests by requiring each prospective abortion to qualify under statutory criteria and by making unlawful abortions subject to criminal provisions." But here's the point which I think hits home from the High Court: "the legislature has recognised through the abortion law that the unborn child has a claim on the conscience of the community."—the conscience of the community. So I say to the 120 members that are in this House and that are out there listening: do not abdicate your responsibility. It's quite clear: judicially our unborn child deserves the conscience of our community. So you've said in this House that we are to amend and make laws that would make things safe for our community. Is that the case when clearly what we've seen is that is not the case?Cultural considerations were in a Supplementary Order Paper that I put forward. I say to our Polynesian and other ethnic members in the House that there's clear evidence that over 170 deaths of our children: Māori 76000; Pasifika 39957—that is the conscience of our community.Before I finish in this House can I remind us that our role of responsibility is this: to ensure that we hear the words of our community and of the nation—they're speaking clearly. There will come a day when that voice will be heard on 19 September where they will say "Have you heard the conscience of the nation?" And if you haven't then the nation will decide. The majority have been here. They've made their voices heard through submissions and also through emails that you've had. I ask you this when you go out to make the vote at the end of this reading of the third reading: is your conscience clear? Have you ensured that both lives matter—both the life of the mother and the life of the unborn child? If the answer is no then vote against this bill in the House."