Yates Dianne: Wills Bill — Second Reading 
Yates Dianne: Wills Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:639;Page:9007] 
DIANNE YATES (Labour) 
: 
 I rise to speak on the Wills Bill. It is interesting that the bill has a very very simple title. We have at times discussed what bills are called and said that bills before Parliament should be very explicit and obvious in what they are about. I think it is pretty obvious what the Wills Bill is about; it is about wills. I do not think there is any other bill that has such a short title. I thank the Justice and Electoral Committee for the work it did. It is pretty obvious—as has been said by other speakers—that this bill is not one that has caused a great deal of controversy. I am surprised that the committee received only 10 submissions—of which six were heard—given the amount of interest that people in this country have had about violence towards children. One of the most violent things concerning children is when they cannot inherit from a will or when people change their wills so that their family cannot inherit. I am surprised more people did not make submissions on this bill which is basically about what people can inherit and what many many people spend a great deal of time thinking about. 
So I was surprised there were only 10 submissions. That obviously indicates that the bill is not about changing the law in any dramatic way but is about making the law easier to understand. Having been an executor I think that that is something that is perhaps long overdue. As Dr Worth mentioned when he was speaking we look back to 1837 with this bill. It is not a bill that started off in New Zealand; it is one we inherited. It is a Wills Bill that was inherited by New Zealand. 
I am optimistic that the changes that have been made will enable people to more easily understand their rights. As has been mentioned by Lynne Pillay there was a particular anomaly about someone who marries when under age. This bill has dealt with the anomaly so that the will-making powers and legality of the will have been sorted out in that regard. 
I note that on the Justice and Electoral Committee which dealt with this bill there are a large number of lawyers—many of them practising lawyers. No doubt they put their minds to this legislation and ensured that this bill would become more workable and easily understood not only by the law profession but by the laypeople who wish to make their wills. 
It is interesting as we have said that there are some changes—for example for those entering into a civil union. There have been changes to other legislation that have this impact. Legislation such as the Civil Union Act contains clauses that change other legislation automatically. Those will no doubt have affected this legislation as well and ensured that there is fairness and that what applies to marriage applies also to civil unions and as we have heard to those under 18 who marry. 
 It does seem a little strange that the outdated terms are going. I actually quite like the word “testator” but I guess I am a little old-fashioned. We do understand that a will-maker is a will-maker and that the Wills Bill will make things much easier to understand and use. 
Once again we thank those who made submissions on the bill and who came before the select committee to give their opinions. Those whose opinions were taken into account and changes made will be especially pleased. I thank all of those who were on the Justice and Electoral Committee. I thank the staff and all of those who worked on this legislation. We look forward to its going through its other stages in the House and becoming law. Thank you Mr Deputy Speaker.