1. Children Young Persons and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill—Acceptability of Current ProvisionsJACINDA ARDERN (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSChildren Young Persons and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill—Acceptability of Current Provisions1. JACINDA ARDERN (Deputy Leader—Labour) to the Minister for Social Development: Does she have confidence in the current drafting of the Children Young Persons and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill?Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Social Development): Yes but we have a robust select committee process in which members and the public can scrutinise proposed legislation in line-by-line detail. I look forward to reading the recommendations of the Social Services Committee for the bill. Jacinda Ardern: Will the rewording she has suggested proposing put priority where practicable on placing children who are removed with their wider whānau? Hon ANNE TOLLEY: I have not suggested any wording and it would be inappropriate for me to do so while as I say this bill is before the select committee and members of the public and organisations are making their submissions on it.Jacinda Ardern: What did she mean when she said yesterday: The best place for any child is with their family … We've tried to nuance that; I think clearly we've nuanced it too much …"?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: I meant exactly what I said.Jacinda Ardern: What was correct: her tweet stating "We will not be reinserting the whanau first principle" or her coalition partner who said that kin care was back in the bill and that the Minister had bowed to pressure? Hon ANNE TOLLEY: I want to assure every member of this House and the public of New Zealand that my opinion and the opinion of this Government is that a child's safety and best interests will always be placed first. Jacinda Ardern: If the select committee does not recommend adding whānau care back into the bill will she put a Supplementary Order Paper before Parliament to put the "whānau first" principle back? Hon ANNE TOLLEY: I have tremendous respect for the select committee process including the submissions from members of the public and I do not intend in any way shape or form to anticipate what decisions that select committee might come to. Jacinda Ardern: One more time. Does she support a "whanau first" principle where practicable being placed in her legislation? Hon ANNE TOLLEY: Can I quote from the bill in front of the select committee at the moment—of which that member is a committee member—"whenever possible the relationship between the child or young person and their family whānau and usual caregiver is respected supported and strengthened"; secondly "the relationship between the child or young person and their siblings is respected supported and strengthened"; and thirdly "the family whānau hapū iwi and usual caregiver [have a voice and a role] in decisions made about the child or young person." I think it is pretty clear that the legislation strengthens the role of family whānau and hapū in the life of a child. Jacinda Ardern: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was very clear and it was: does the Minister support a whānau-first policy in her bill? The fact that she tweeted yesterday she was not reinstating it—Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! No. if the member had not—[Interruption] Order! On this occasion I have listened very carefully to the answer given by the Minister. The Minister is the person in whose name the bill is and she quoted very clearly the principles of the rule so I think without doubt that addresses the question that was asked. David Seymour: In respect of the last supplementary question could the Minister imagine any Government implementing a "whanau first" policy that is impracticable? Hon ANNE TOLLEY: I think the important thing is everyone knows that the best place for a child/tamariki is with their own family—Hon Hekia Parata: A loving safe family. Hon ANNE TOLLEY: —a loving and safe and stable family. That is the intention of these really significant changes which this Government is leading in the care and protection of New Zealand children and I think it is about time that the Opposition got in behind those kids and supported us as we make these significant changes. Jacinda Ardern: If the best place for any child is with their family why did she explicitly remove the "whanau first" principle from her bill?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: Well I disagree with the assertion that that member is making about the bill. Mr SPEAKER: Question No. 2 Todd Muller. [Interruption] Order! There will be less interchange between one particular Minister and one deputy leader of the Labour Party."