Sabin Mike: Veterans’ Support Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSabin Mike: Veterans’ Support Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 30 July 2014. Volume:700;Page:19711. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MIKE SABIN (National—Northland):The reality is that in the world we live in the nature of human nature is that there will always be conflict of some degree or another. In that sense although I hear what the Green Party has just said the reality is that the men and women of this country and most other countries in this world will have a body of people in military service who will stand up for exactly the rights that the previous member Jan Logie was talking about. Sometimes unfortunately that will involve bloodshed conflict and heartache and will absolutely destroy the lives of not only those involved in the conflict but those who are left behind. That is the nature of the world in which we live. It is sadly a reflection of human nature. We do not have to look very far in the world at the moment to see that exact conflict going on.I just want to acknowledge the men and women of the New Zealand Defence Force and acknowledge the contribution they have made in the modern warfare environment which more often than not involves peacekeeping; acknowledge the contribution and the sacrifices that have been made in Afghanistan over a significant period of time; and also reflect back on the legacy they picked up from those who have served in conflicts like Viet Nam and Korea and going back to the Great War. This country can stand very proud of its sacrifice and its tradition to uphold and fight for the democracy and the freedoms that most of the world enjoys today. Although in the Green bubble maybe it would be nice to imagine away the need to have that the reality is it will always be needed and in needing that we will always need people who are prepared to put the service of their country ahead of the servicing of their own needs and their own interests. So I just pay my respects and homage to those people both past and present because ultimately the reality is we need those people and always will.The Veterans’ Support Bill—I have enjoyed the conversation that has been had across the Social Services Committee and in the House. There has been some robust debate on some particular points specifically around the lump-sum benefits. Obviously although I think that everyone can accept that there is no price that can be put on the service of an individual for their country in this regard—there is no comparison with any other level of service—the reality is that what the Veterans’ Support Bill does in its totality is reflect the need to acknowledge the contribution made by some of our older veterans and to also acknowledge that there are some 20000 or so modern-day veterans of war.The Veterans’ Support Bill having been a long time in its gestation essentially from back in 2007—The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I am sorry to interrupt the member. Could I ask those members—I know you are probably talking tactics—to just move to one side please.MIKE SABIN: I have absolutely completely lost my train of thought although having said that I did not do so when they were standing there having their tactical meeting.Let us not forget about the 20000 modern-day servicemen. What this bill does is to reflect—[Interruption] What was that sorry?Moana Mackey: Where’s the lamé?MIKE SABIN: Yes I have just changed tie indeed. What this bill does is reflect their modern service and the modern defence service alongside acknowledging the contributions of those past servicemen. I will not dwell too much on what the nuts and bolts are of this bill. I think they have been very well traversed and I acknowledge the points that have been made in particular by the Hon Phil Goff. He has certainly debated vigorously and I commend him and I acknowledge exactly where he is going.Can I just thank the officials—in particular Major Rebecca Thornley who got promoted during the course of the passage of this bill. I would like to think that that was because of her great service to the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee and I am still waiting on her acknowledgment by way of some huge military shout which I am sure will be coming. Can I just acknowledge the Hon Michael Woodhouse and also other former Ministers of Veterans’ Affairs such as the Hon Nathan Guy—who is just traversing his way past me as we speak; how convenient—and also Judith Collins. I also want to acknowledge Ross Miller who is one of my executive but certainly has been involved in this work as a former major a former officer in the army. He has made a great contribution. I commend this bill in its third reading.