Tabuteau FletcherFLETCHER TABUTEAU (Deputy Leader—NZ First): That's very kind of you Madam Speaker—very kind of you. I'd just like to acknowledge the shorter than usual contribution from the member opposite Judith Collins and acknowledge the positive way that the Opposition is approaching this.Kieran McAnulty: She's changed her tune.FLETCHER TABUTEAU: Yes she's changed mate. Actually please don't have me up for this but she would be a much better finance spokesperson for the Opposition. But anyway that's just my observation. I promise I will now get to the bill.This is a matter of some importance—a great deal of importance for not only this coalition Government but New Zealand First. We've been working on this—I have been working on these issues—for years and to see them come through in legislation now because of the good work of Ministers Nash and Robertson is a compliment to the coalition Government and the way that we can work together. There are three main objectives being achieved through this legislation—and you'll forgive me if I read but it's important we get this accurate. The first one is around what any good Government is trying to do. And credit to the Opposition. When we were dealing with tax and National was in Government most of the time—I think 95 percent of the time—New Zealand First would vote in support of what it was they were trying to achieve because on both sides of the House it is about our efforts to modernise our tax system and not only the mechanisms we use to take the revenue but the methods we use to engage with taxpayers. And it is about the simplification of tax and the transparency of it. So this legislation definitely takes a big step forward in achieving those fundamental goals that a good Government would seek to achieve when they put remedial tax legislation and KiwiSaver legislation in front of the House and it is absolutely being achieved in this legislation.What we're also doing is just contributing to the continuation of what is the broad tax take at a low rate. New Zealand's tax system is simple. As much as we could debate some of the tax rates in the country right now we do—comparatively around the world—pay low taxes and we will continue to do so and this seeks to make sure that we can continue to do that. Another thing that New Zealanders are proud to stand up and support is what has been termed remedial matters" but actually it's quite significant. That is around the research and development tax credit programme. So a fantastic policy; it puts New Zealand businesses on a level playing field. Well it's getting us there—New Zealand businesses on a level playing field with the rest of the world and their competitors around the world who have access to these tax breaks. We're bringing that in again. We've learnt lessons from the past around these tax credits but what this legislation does—and it's described as remedial but I would suggest it's quite significant because of what we're doing here—is just taking an additional step forward.The R & D tax credit legislation came through the House not so long ago but we've already recognised that there is an opportunity for small business here to take advantage of those tax credits and how do you do that if you don't have a positive cash flow or your net revenue's not in a position where you can actually claim a credit back from that on a tax position.Hon Member: What do you do?FLETCHER TABUTEAU: What do you do? Thank you. Good question. Well what we're doing now is giving those smaller businesses who aren't revenue positive access to the same tax credit system mainly through the payroll system—I think up to around $255000. So this is good fundamental legislation that does the right thing and ticks the right boxes in so many ways.I spoke about the three main areas. But you know New Zealand First has long advocated for this. In fact I put a member's bill in the House not so long ago—it might have been last year but great conversations with Minister Faafoi and Minister Robertson. They acknowledged what the member's bill was trying to achieve at the time and said "We can do that through Government legislation and this is a long way towards what it is we're trying to achieve." One of the greatest frustrations for me as a dad at the moment is my oldest daughter has been in the workplace for a few years now and despite my vehement protestations that she go to her KiwiSaver provider and say "You've put me on the wrong tax rate."—I don't think she's done it yet because there's no onus on the KiwiSaver provider to come back and have that conversation have that important fundamental conversation as a good provider should and ask those questions: what's your income? Is this the right tax rate for you? So she's still on 28 percent I think and believe me—Dad knows—she's not in the higher-income tax bracket that's for sure.So fundamental questions like that and engagement time periods—and perhaps I should speak more specifically to that—faster transfers of funds improve the administration efficiency and enhance members' experiences with the scheme. So that is what we're trying to do: calculating interest on contributions from employers' pay day reducing KiwiSaver provisional period and holding periods reducing the time frame for the transfer of members' information and funds between providers.I won't go in too much detail about some of the frustrations of some of these big KiwiSaver providers and the way that they are making a great deal of money out of New Zealanders' KiwiSaver funds. But this and these changes are a fundamental step in the right direction in terms of information timeliness and an onus of engagement with those who would seek to maximise their return for their retirement through KiwiSaver programmes. Fundamentally if we get this right this basically means people have more money for their retirement to look after themselves at that stage in life and that is fundamental to a good Government and the questions we ask ourselves about why we are here.Well this is what we're doing here and these legislative changes are a part of that—I'm going to wax lyrical and call it a tapestry of life in legislation. You'll forgive me.Kieran McAnulty: A mini Jonesy.FLETCHER TABUTEAU: Yeah—no it's not Jonesy.So the other thing the other area we are dealing with is the student loan charges. So the bill proposes five student loan policy changes. These changes seek to improve the administration of the student loan scheme. I'm sure the Opposition think I have spoken for far too long. This is good. This is great legislation which I'm very proud to stand up on on behalf of not only New Zealand First but this coalition Government with support from the Green Party over there. This will make a fundamental difference to people's lives. It really will do that and therefore I wholly endorse and support this legislation to the House. Thank you very much."