SpeechHARETE HIPANGO (National): Thank you. The Remuneration Authority Legislation Bill—so for the benefit of members of the public interested in watching viewing this evening's debate remuneration of course is—it's known—money paid for work or service and this bill is specific to the judicial or quasi-judicial services provided here in Aotearoa New Zealand The bill is a simple change which will give an added layer of political neutrality to the setting of fees for judicial officers and that's been canvassed by previous speakers in the House this evening. The Remuneration Authority is seen as the fair the independent body who should be tasked with determining remuneration for the judicial officers. So the Remuneration Authority already sets the various rates or remuneration for judges including justices of the Supreme Court; so the judicial independence from Government is important as it enhances public confidence in the operation of the law and the importance of the separations of the powers of State which is the executive the Government; the legislature we as parliamentary members forming Parliament to make and pass laws; and of course the judiciary the judges who are affected and quasi-judicial officers affected in this setting of their remuneration.This bill is to pass into law with amendments and it's referred to and known as an omnibus bill to deal with six other Acts. Now it may seem that I'm stating the obvious to members of Parliament who are here this evening but I'm always mindful that we are addressing members of the public who are listening in. So this omnibus bill is looking at amending six other pieces of law to transfer the responsibility for determining the remuneration of the following judicial officers—and it's been addressed in part by members this evening. Those are judicial officers of the Human Rights Review Tribunal namely the chairperson and deputy chairperson; community magistrates of the District Court who have already had their remuneration addressed under the District Courts Act; the commissioners and deputy commissioners of the Environment Court; members and deputy chairs of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal; referees of the disputes tribunal; and tenancy adjudicators of the Tenancy Tribunal.So as I said the bill is a simple change but it's an important one for the very reason of ensuring that separation of the powers which form or are known as the branches of powers of the Crown of the State. The background to this bill is that an independent principles-based review was undertaken to determine whether the Cabinet Fees Framework or the Remuneration Authority is the more appropriate mechanism. It's on the recommendation of that review that this bill is now before the House. It's before the House as I've said addressing the remuneration the rates and the apportionment of that to the appointment of judges and quasi-judicial officers.As I've said in the House before when I rise to speak on a matter that I am conversant with I will always attempt to relate or co-relate that back to persons who give service. I wish to acknowledge the recent appointment of now Justice Layne Harvey who has presided as a Māori Land Court judge for the last 19 years and of course knows full well the impact of the Remuneration Authority and the setting of the pay scale and rates. But it's appropriate that I acknowledge him for his ascension to the High Court to join Justice Christian Whata and I mention both of them specifically as they were former student peers when we were at Auckland Law School.I also acknowledge appropriately Judge Frances Eivers who has been appointed as the new Children's Commissioner to take office as of 1 November. So Judge Eivers again like Judge Harvey is conversant with the powers of the State and the Remuneration Authority and Judge Eivers brings a depth and breadth of experience to the bench in her service as Justice Harvey does with their tenure of service as judges on the bench. I also acknowledge the recent appointment of three Māori Land Court judges who will soon become familiar with the Remuneration Authority and they are judges Te Kani Williams again a former Auckland Law School student peer graduate and servant of the law; Judge Aidan Warren; and Judge Rachel Mullins. And it's appropriate that I seize that opportunity because it does have bearing on the relevance of this bill soon to be passed into law which is supported as being appropriate from the National Party.The Remuneration Authority Legislation Bill will come before the select committee which is the Justice Committee and I don't have the privilege of presiding there. However it will be interesting to see the extent of any submissions that are made to this. I'm cognisant of the time when I served as a District Court lawyer the service that was given by the magistrates in the court. They are known as quasi-judicial officers because they do not have a law degree but they have a depth and level of experience of service in the law through their respective community engagements. I've outlined the other areas in terms of the tribunals and the commissions and the courts which will be affected appropriately by the transfer of the decision-making authority from Government under the Cabinet Fees Framework to the independent Remuneration Authority.Also what I didn't hear addressed in the House this evening is that this bill will affect the making of five new permanent legislative authorities. They are to be established to authorise the payments made from public money without a specific appropriation from Parliament and these permanent legislative authorities are required because the remuneration for these officers is to be determined independently of the Government. I stress importantly that separation of the branches of power. This bill will ensure that. And with that I commend the bill to the House.