Muller Todd: Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau) Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMuller Todd: Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau) Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 05 May 2015. Volume:705;Page:3179. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]TODD MULLER (National—Bay of Plenty): I rise to speak in support of the second reading of the Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau) Bill. I would firstly actually like to acknowledge some of what Carmel Sepuloni said in her opening remarks about the importance of this bill in opening New Zealand’s wider view on the special relationship that exists between New Zealand and Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau. Look I have to be honest and inform the House that my understanding of the special relationship is relatively limited and through this select committee process I guess I have had my own eyes widened to that. Perhaps it is because in Tauranga Boys’ College the history was very European and World War II - focused. We did not have a lot of Pacific Island history but it is certainly something that I have enjoyed being part of on the Social Services Committee.As we have heard already in the conversations around this second reading we had a number of submissions with six submissions turning up or being presented verbally and of course 13—just over 12—submissions in all. They all were broadly supportive. Some of the views that we have heard expressed here tonight around some of the areas of concern have I think been given more weight than is due relative to the perspectives that were shared certainly when I was listening on the select committee.I do think it was quite amazing actually that we had a visit from two heads of State Prime Minister Henry Puna from the Cook Islands and the Niue Premier Toke Talagi. Initially I thought that this was perhaps a symbolic gesture but certainly again that perhaps talks to my newness to this particular topic and the relationship that we have with these three countries because it was clearly far more than that. You could see it in the import that they brought to the conversation the historic ties that they wanted to reference in their submission and the importance that they saw this particular bill was going to provide for their communities.So it is in my view absolutely right that these three countries have the opportunities that are outlined in this bill particularly the opportunity to return home from the age of 55 and when they get to 65 to apply from their homeland for the superannuation—should they wish—to have it paid there and of course to take their qualifying veterans pension with them too. Freeing these people from the obligation to be resident in New Zealand at the point of application for New Zealand superannuation will I think provide significant flexibility and opportunity for these communities.We have heard already this evening as we have stepped through this conversation the feedback that we have had from a number of submitters on the opportunity that they think it will bring their communities. When you have had the population drift that has occurred from these three countries to New Zealand the opportunity to provide a mechanism to enable them to return home to their original homeland and contribute from the age of 55 when they still have so much energy and capacity it is very powerful and I believe that it will be taken up in larger numbers over time than perhaps what is initially suggested which is just under 250 initially.There was clear feedback—and we have heard about some of that already this evening—that the cut-off at 55 years should be made earlier or even removed altogether but that challenges the overarching residential qualifications for New Zealand superannuation and veterans pensions and from my perspective that would certainly be more than a step too far. It is really important though that we acknowledge that that was pretty consistent feedback from those who made the submissions.In terms of the opportunity to go back and contribute to their societies I would like to spend just a moment reflecting on a Niuean friend of mine who is currently a schoolteacher. I happened to have a conversation with him about this particular bill and what this could mean to him and his broader family. He was open with me that he has not really historically considered going back to continue his educational contribution in his home country but this particular provision is something that means he will now reflect on it. I hope that he does consider it. He is a renowned educator and the opportunity to go back to his homeland and contribute in his area of passion and to then be able to be supported in terms of New Zealand superannuation is I think a really positive step forward. We have heard that it will not just be examples like my friend that we will see; we will see a whole lot of different people—not necessarily those who were born in the islands—take up this opportunity and perhaps see a change in the course of their life to head back and spend a decent part of their lives back in those three particular countries.I would like to spend just a moment reflecting on the veterans component of this bill. They obviously spoke with some passion about the changes that they think should be considered. I think that the way we have this bill written is fair. It is consistent with the position we have taken and the changes we have made recently and I think that on balance they will see that it still is a step in the right direction. Like my colleague Matt Doocey I would like to spend just a moment acknowledging their sacrifice particularly those from the Realm countries who not only gave their lives in support of the values that underpin our collective countries but out of all of the populations for them to move from the Pacific to fight in those world theatres must have been extraordinarily daunting. Certainly the feedback that I have had as I have studied this a little bit more over the last few weeks is that they found those conditions quite appalling and really suffered tragically from it. So I do want to acknowledge that and I do want to acknowledge my own RSA in Mount Maunganui and the 10000 who turned up at the cenotaph. It was quite an extraordinary outpouring of public support.The specific submissions—if I could spend just a couple of moments reflecting on them particularly the 5 years over 50 rule I have to acknowledge that most submissions raised feedback about the application of that particular rule and extending the coverage to all Pacific countries and also improving the existing provisions of the existing veterans pension. The 5 years over 50 rule was introduced in 1990 it has been in place for 25 years and it replaced an even more stringent 7-year residency rule before that. I think it serves the right purpose which is essentially that you need to have had a recent engagement with or a contribution to New Zealand society and the community before you are eligible for that particular superannuation. I think that is appropriate and it would raise a whole lot of other equity issues if we started treating particular subsets of New Zealand superannuation applicants differently from others. In terms of the extending of the coverage issue I think it is appropriate that we hold the line there and that certainly is the feedback that we have had from a number of submitters.I do want to talk just briefly about implementation. That was raised quite a number of times by submitters. We are obviously going to pass this measure. This is going to come in. It is going to be a great change for these countries. The risk here is that those who are available—Sitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Kia ora mai tātou. Tēnā tātou katoa. Members when we broke for the dinner break we were debating the second reading of the Social Assistance (Portability to Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau) Bill. Todd Muller has 55 seconds remaining should he wish to avail himself of the opportunity.TODD MULLER: Well that has changed actually. It was 29 seconds we thought just before dinner—Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Grab it while you can.TODD MULLER: —but I suspect it is now down to 40.But in conclusion this is a phenomenal piece of legislation which needed to occur. We have heard from a number of speakers that it has broad support within this House. I do want to acknowledge my friend and colleague Alfred Ngaro as the chair of the Social Services Committee who has reflected and deliberated on this bill. I think there is no better person to chair this debate and to be participating in it today. I am sure as he said he will get a lot of satisfaction in seeing it ultimately pass through this House and it is a good gift for his mum and dad who are hopping on a plane tonight to head back to the Cook Islands. I commend this bill to the House. Thank you.