Ross Jami-Lee: Taxation (KiwiSaver HomeStart and Remedial Matters) Bill — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeRoss Jami-Lee: Taxation (KiwiSaver HomeStart and Remedial Matters) Bill — In Committee[Sitting date: 25 March 2015. Volume:704;Page:2607. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany):Once again the Government side of the Chamber is completely surprised—actually no we should not be surprised; we are disappointed—at the Labour Opposition members’ approach to this particular bill the Taxation (KiwiSaver HomeStart and Remedial Matters) Bill. Yes they are saying that they are supporting it but it appears from their contributions that they simply do not think that allowing New Zealanders to get together a deposit to be able to buy their own home is a good thing. That is what this bill is all about doing.They complain about the fact this bill makes some changes to the KiwiSaver legislation that is in place but they forget about the other changes that the Government is putting in place to allow more Kiwis more young first-home buyers to purchase properties.This is actually going to make a significant difference for people who wish to buy their first home because it will significantly increase—Stuart Nash: What clause of the KiwiSaver legislation?JAMI-LEE ROSS: Well we are debating the whole bill. You should keep up Mr Nash.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Order! I have been keeping up thank you.JAMI-LEE ROSS: OK Mr Chair. I am hoping that Mr Nash can keep up because we are debating this whole bill.We are working hard to ensure that more Kiwis are able to access their own money in KiwiSaver. On top of that we are also doubling—doubling—the amount of grant that they are able to take up. The Labour Party members like to talk about housing in Auckland they like to talk about housing affordability around the country; if they really cared about housing affordability in New Zealand they would be embracing policies like this. To be able to purchase homes New Zealanders need to be able to have the ability to have a deposit. The changes that this Government is putting in place will vastly increase the ability of New Zealanders to access funds to put together a deposit. On top of that the policies we are putting in place to ensure that more homes are being developed in New Zealand particularly in Auckland will mean that supply is increased considerably and it will also mean that New Zealanders will have greater access to homes.The reason why I am talking rather widely about housing is that this has been the theme of the debate so far. If it is OK for Mr Twyford and if it is OK for Mr Nash and Mr Cosgrove to criticise the general housing policy of the Government then I am going to be responding.The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Trevor Mallard): Order! No you are not. I have been listening to the debate for the last half an hour both for the last part of the previous Chair’s time and for my time. There have been some clear signals to come back to the bill that have been applied to Opposition members and I think we have moved away from a general second reading robust debate to one that is on the details of the bill. I think the last two or three speakers have done that very well and I ask the member to give it a go.JAMI-LEE ROSS: I am more than happy to talk about the KiwiSaver changes that are being put in place through this bill because allowing New Zealanders to access their funds through the KiwiSaver provisions is important.When the Government looked at housing in New Zealand particularly in Auckland one of the main problems that New Zealanders have is the ability to put together a deposit and there are vast amounts of money in the KiwiSaver programme. On top of that there are grants that the Government has in place already through the KiwiSaver programme to ensure that people have a bit of a boost when it comes to the deposits.Hon Clayton Cosgrove: How much? Give us a number.JAMI-LEE ROSS: Well Mr Cosgrove it is going up from $5000 to $10000. We are actually doubling—we are doubling—the grant through the KiwiSaver scheme. A couple who are earning $50000 a year and who have been contributing to KiwiSaver for 5 years will be able to access around $35000 of their own funds through the KiwiSaver scheme. Add on top of that the $20000 combined they will be able to get through changes in this bill and other changes the Government is making and that is a deposit of about $55000 that a couple—lower to middle income New Zealanders—will be able to access.The Labour Party members think that is a gimmick. The Labour Party members think that will do nothing. But I challenge them to go out and talk to some real New Zealanders living in electorates like mine in Botany or in Hunua the electorate that Andrew Bayly represents and ask them whether they think that the changes that the Government is putting in place to allow those earning $50000 and who have been in KiwiSaver for 5 years to get a $55000 deposit are nothing.There will be 90000 New Zealanders who are expected to benefit from these changes over the next 5 years. There will be 90000 New Zealanders who will be able to access greater funds. There will be 90000 New Zealanders who will have a greater ability to afford a home and purchase a home in New Zealand. That is why we are supporting this bill.