Stewart Barbara: New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill — Second Reading 
Stewart Barbara: New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:631;Page:3021] 
BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
: 
 On behalf of New Zealand First it is with pleasure that I rise to support the second reading of the New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill. New Zealand First is 100 percent behind this bill and we would like to see it fast tracked through Parliament. Nobody likes to see our senior citizens or veterans disadvantaged in any way so we repeat we would be very happy to see the bill fast tracked through Parliament. 
As Minister Benson-Pope said the bill amends the eligibility rules for New Zealand superannuation under the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act and the War Pensions Act of 1954. It makes some very significant changes to the eligibility rules for New Zealand superannuation in relation to people with partners or spouses living in long-term residential care and people who are living alone yet share household expenses. The bill also increases the time a person can continue to receive New Zealand superannuation while overseas and working voluntarily. 
Hon Member 
: Ah! 
BARBARA STEWART 
: It may pay some of the National Party members to listen because the bill will affect them in years to come. 
These are all essential changes. It is worth noting that all of the eligibility changes also apply to veterans pensions. New Zealand First wants to see veterans pension provisions mirror those of New Zealand superannuation. We must acknowledge too that this is the Year of the Veteran so it is timely to remember the enormous sacrifice that all of our veterans made and that many continue to make on behalf of all New Zealanders. It is only just now that the changes have included that group as well. We owe those people a great deal. 
I thought the speech from Judith Collins the first National Party member to speak in the debate was a bit rich given that successive National Governments would not recognise servicemen and women such as Colonel Malone Sergeant Manahi Des Scott or Nancy Wake or even the Viet Nam vets in their plight over Agent Orange or the nuclear test vets. They are all people to whom we owe a great deal. It is worth saying too that in New Zealand First’s confidence and supply agreement with the Government we have agreed that better recognition can be given to the veterans of active overseas service and we want to investigate ways of achieving that. It is one of our priorities in this particular area. 
In New Zealand First we know it is absolutely essential to ensure that the floor for superannuation and veterans pensions does not fall below 66 percent of the net average wage. As previous speakers have said there have been significant price increases in petrol in rates and in all aspects of living and we do not want to see our superannuitants or veterans disadvantaged in that way. We must say that the start of addressing the needs of senior citizens and veterans here in New Zealand was the raising of the level of superannuation. The next change for our senior citizens in line with our supply and confidence agreement will be the golden age card for all senior citizens which we will be delighted to see implemented next year. I am sure Nathan Guy will be extremely happy to acknowledge that in his electorate. I can see members opposite nodding and agreeing. 
New Zealand First members like many other members in this House have heard some very sad stories and received some very sad letters about the situation when someone’s husband wife or partner ends up going into care and the remaining member of the partnership is left to cope as best as he or she can on less than adequate funding. The bill will address that issue far better than is the case at present. These people are living single people’s lives but they still have added responsibilities and costs and it is time we delivered on that issue. New Zealand First members want to see fairer treatment and we are pleased to see that that will be so. 
On the matter of overseas service abroad which many of our senior citizens now get involved in it is really great that the Government has seen fit to extend the period for which people can get superannuation or the veterans pension while they do volunteer work abroad. It is absolutely wonderful to see older people giving of their time and experience overseas. It is something that no doubt many of us will become involved in in years to come. Increasing numbers of seniors are going to the Pacific and they must be applauded. 
New Zealand First applauds this fair and equitable treatment for our seniors and veterans. We want to see the bill fast tracked through the House and it is with great pleasure that we support its second reading.