Simpson Scott: General DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSimpson Scott: General Debate[Sitting date: 06 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3257. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]SCOTT SIMPSON (National—Coromandel):This is the first opportunity I have had to speak in a general debate since this Parliament has been in session this year and what a delight a privilege and a pleasure it is when the Government is in such good form and such good shape with such focus such energy and such direction. It is a real privilege to be serving in the John Key - led National Government which is making such progress on behalf of all New Zealanders.In the short time available this afternoon I would like to talk about two matters that I think are of crucial interest to members of the House and people listening around the country. The first one is the good work that is being done by the Government particularly in relation to the work on behalf of and in support of New Zealand families. This is a Government that cares about families. It understands that families are at the very core the foundation of our society and we want to make sure that they get the support care and nurturing that they need to ensure that young Kiwi kids get the best start that they can in their lives.Secondly if I get an opportunity I really want to have a commentary about the changed landscape on the Opposition benches that has occurred in recent times. We are 5 months into the year and the world really has changed in terms of the Opposition. Stability certainty and predictability are things that voters like. These are things that citizens like. These are things that society likes. John Key and the National-led Government are in fact providing these things to New Zealanders and New Zealanders understand that. New Zealand remains and always has been a very good place to raise a family a very good place to bring up children. It is not just us Kiwis who say that; it is acknowledged by others around the world.We have a Government that has purpose pace energy and a lot of new ideas going into this third term. I want to just touch on a couple of them because they relate primarily to the strong and growing economy that we are fortunate to have at the moment—due I have to say in very large part to the careful prudent wise and astute management of the country’s books by the Minister of Finance Bill English who will later this month deliver his seventh Budget. And so all those things are having a positive impact a real impact for New Zealand families and I see that in Coromandel my electorate. I see that for Coromandel families and for Coromandel children. I see the benefits that are real tangible and meaningful.Parental tax credits for instance for lower-income families have gone from $150 a week to $220 a week. What is more the entitlement to that support has been extended from 8 weeks to 10 weeks. Then of course paid parental leave which we have had so much talk about will be extended for a further 2 weeks to 18 weeks from April of next year. Another area that I see real positive gains in is the HomeStart programme which is helping young Kiwi families get into their first homes. The HomeStart programme will see over the next 5 years something like 90000 young Kiwis getting into their first homes. Those measures along with so many others are the absolute tangible evidence that this is a Government that cares about families has families at the heart of its policies and is on the side of young families.One of the things that has been most noticeable to me—and I suspect to most other New Zealanders—is that there has been a seismic shift in the Opposition in what has been going on over there on that side of the House. It is a shift that has occurred since Christmas-time and there have been a couple of things that have really demonstrated it. The most obvious one of course is that later today we will be hearing the maiden speech from Ria Bond the new New Zealand First MP from Invercargill. That is a side effect of the result of the Northland by-election. I am sure the good people of Northland will be keen to hear from the new Invercargill member when she gives her maiden address in a short period of time.I congratulate and welcome her to this place. But the good people of Northland will not be surprised I am sure to know that it is now Winston Peters who has effectively assumed the mantle of the Leader of the Opposition. It is Winston Peters and New Zealand First that have the energy and the passion of opposition. It is New Zealand First that seems to be leading the fight on the Opposition benches and it is New Zealand First that has in fact stolen the oxygen and lunch from Labour.