Stewart Barbara: Social Security (Working for Families) Amendment Bill Taxation (Working for Families) Bill — Third Readings 
Stewart Barbara: Social Security (Working for Families) Amendment Bill Taxation (Working for Families) Bill — Third Readings 
[Volume:617;Page:13538] 
BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
: 
 On behalf of New Zealand First I rise to speak to the third reading of this legislation. As my New Zealand First colleague Peter Brown has already said we will be supporting this legislation. It should be good for New Zealand families—the low-income and middle-income families that it is actually designed for. This is a people’s Budget. In this Budget the Government has recognised that families matter and has developed a strategy to help and support New Zealand families. The old policies that have been used for years have not worked and it is time to develop new ones and that is what we have in this Budget. 
The family support and tax relief measures will be a help for many families. With the increasing rise in the cost of consumer goods like petrol and electricity and the subsequent flow-on effect on foodstuffs meeting the needs of a growing family has never been more difficult and every bit of income helps. This Budget is one for children and their families and this legislation shows that. The increased subsidies should make working far more attractive. 
I was reading recently that in 2002 only 10 countries showed Government spending that was lower than New Zealand’s so the choices between tax cuts for the wealthy and policies that reduce child poverty are real choices that needed to be made. They have been made with families this time being a priority. Budget surpluses mean there is no excuse for not dealing with child poverty—particularly when the Government’s own reports show that nearly one-third of New Zealand children live in poverty—and this has been done. We are a First World country and our children should reflect this. We once led the world with the care of our children and we need to regain our place. 
I can assure the House that childcare assistance is required for New Zealanders. Increasing the rate of the subsidy and the number of families eligible to receive it are good measures. I think back to the time when my son required childcare so that I could go back to work. Even 8 years ago the fees were extremely high and I know that I paid the equivalent of another mortgage. I must admit that like many mothers I sometimes wondered what on earth I was actually working for. I ask how many other mothers come to the same conclusion and give up. Assistance in that area is really required. 
The measures that are in this Budget and this legislation will help families get back to affording the best they can for their families. Policies to improve the well-being of children all alleviate some of the challenges that most New Zealand families are facing at the moment. New Zealand families are struggling to make ends meet and this legislation is a good investment for everyone. I must admit that New Zealand First wanted to see this legislation enacted as soon as possible and we have got some concessions concerning that. We hope this legislation is accurate and contains no errors. We want to see a better future for families in New Zealand. This legislation has worthy goals and New Zealand First supports it.