Watts SimonSIMON WATTS (National—North Shore): Thank you very much Madam Speaker. It's a pleasure to rise to talk on the Charities Amendment Bill second reading. We've transcended a number of perspectives this evening in regards to this legislation starting off with the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector who articulated a very positive and optimistic overview in terms of the select committee process that can only be described—listening to the contributions from the Hon Louise Upston and my colleague Penny Simmonds—as being on another planet. Because the reality is when you read the responses provided by the charities that made submissions on this bill the narrative that we are hearing in the House from the other side in regards to this bill could not be further from the reality.And that is a great shame because the charity sector is a significantly important sector. The member for Tukituki who just outlined the role which they have and continue to play in the Hawke's Bay is absolutely right: they do do that. Before coming to Parliament I had the pleasure of sitting on the Diabetes New Zealand trustee board overseeing Diabetes New Zealand and the role which they play across our communities across this country—and as we know diabetes is a significant illness that impacts a huge number of individuals whether they're type 1 or type 2. But what I saw in that role as a trustee at a national level but also in the Auckland branch was the huge amount of contribution and outcomes that the charitable sector do provide to our communities.It is without doubt that the charitable sector have the ability to open doors that no other agency whether it's central or local government can achieve and they do so quite simply because they understand the people which they support. Many of the people who volunteer on these charitable organisations have a life experience or have an association or may also have a disease or illness for which the charity stands. And with that knowledge and understanding they have the ability to connect with our communities in a way which derives significant value and gets better outcomes. I can only hope that we really leverage what I see as untapped potential in the charitable sector more and actually see them alongside the delivery of core services to our communities at the same level at which we often place our central government agencies and others. I think there is a significant role for them to do that.The challenges really in this bill which have been widely canvassed relate to the fact that the bill as it stands is not fit for purpose. It is not going to deal with the underlying issues that the charitable sector themselves made submissions back to the Social Services and Community Committee on. It is a great shame when our democratic process does not enable the provision of the feedback being correlated and translated into an improved bill.Hon Member: Have a look at the changes we incorporated.SIMON WATTS: I can hear some comments coming from the other side. Maybe they were part of the select committee. I doubt it because if they were they would know that exactly what I'm saying is actually the reality.Hon Members: Have a look at the changes we've incorporated.SIMON WATTS: And you can hear them continuing to talk can't you? You can hear them continuing to talk there can't you? Very very interesting when we reflect back on Hansard what those comments were. But they will be in writing now that I've referenced them.So I think we need to reflect on what needs to be done and that is a proper review of the sector following through with what the sector has been calling for ensuring that we do take a genuine approach in order to make improvements in regards to this bill. A future National-led Government will no doubt pick up the pieces of the failure by this Government to make meaningful change in an area and a sector that is so critically important to our country's success and which I think epitomises the best of our country in regards to the people who play in that. I think it is very disappointing that this evening we are passing a bill that will not deliver value and outcomes for our communities but I am in hope that in 155 days we will see a change in Government and we'll have an opportunity to put this right. Thank you Madam Speaker.