Tizard Judith: Human Rights (Women in Armed Forces) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Tizard Judith: Human Rights (Women in Armed Forces) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:638;Page:8762] 
Hon JUDITH TIZARD (Minister of Consumer Affairs) 
: 
 I am very happy to rise to support this Government bill the Human Rights (Women in Armed Forces) Amendment Bill. It is important that we recognise the right of every New Zealand citizen to serve and the role that those people then take on. 
I note that the previous speaker Dr Wayne Mapp referred to the transfer of the excellent member’s bill which Lynne Pillay introduced. His colleague Paula Bennett called on the bill to be transferred into a Government bill. We took that advice thought about it and did it. But of course Wayne Mapp has called the transfer “desperation” which is an insult to the women members of his party. 
Just as a matter of clarification in respect of the issues raised by Wayne Mapp I point out that on Anzac Day I found myself at the 11 o’clock service at the Auckland cenotaph. I was astonished having been a regular attender for the last 15 years at the dawn service—I normally go to the Point Chevalier RSA in my electorate—to find that the Auckland RSA now allows and calls upon representatives of the ACT party electorate of Epsom to lay a wreath. It also calls upon representatives of New Zealand First and the National Party representatives of Auckland Central to lay a wreath. I gently made the point to the chair of the RSA that I had never seen political parties represented on Anzac Day. Indeed I take off my Labour Party badge on Anzac Day because I believe that Anzac Day is one day of the year that we should make no party political points whatever. I also note that Keith Locke was at that service and had not been asked to lay a wreath. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: The member will speak to Part 2 please. 
Hon JUDITH TIZARD 
: I just say that I have had overwhelming support from a huge number of Aucklanders who agree absolutely with me on that matter. I hope the Auckland RSA will take that on board just as we here in Parliament are taking on board the responsibility of all citizens when they are called and when they volunteer for international service on behalf of New Zealand to be able to serve in combat positions whether they are male or female. 
I hope that we here in Parliament will see this legislation taken forward because I know the proud role played by women who at present serve in our armed forces. Also I know having had the honour of representing the Government and the people of New Zealand at the Gallipoli celebration that the contingent from the Sinai was indeed commanded by a New Zealand servicewoman from our Navy. I just say that we are all proud of the service undertaken by those New Zealanders whether in Afghanistan the Sinai Lebanon East Timor or all around the Pacific—particularly right now in the Solomons. 
I think this is legislation whose time has come. Other forces with which we cooperate have women in combat roles. Although of course none of us ever wants to see New Zealanders sent in the way of danger the fact is that that is what our armed forces do and women as well as men can play that full role.