Brown SimeonSIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga): Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. Mr Greg O'Connor who just sat down was complaining I thought about the limited amount of time that he had to speak. He left a minute on the clock and I was just about to jump to my feet at the end of his speech and seek the leave of this House to give him an additional five minutes but I'm not sure whether that would have been granted.But it's a pleasure to take a short call for five minutes on the Social Assistance (Residency Qualification) Legislation Bill at its second reading. I do note that I wasn't on the Social Services and Community Committee which heard the submissions on this bill but I do just want to congratulate the select committee and in particular the chair Gareth Hughes for the good work that he's done working hard as the chair of the Social Services and Community Committee. It is an important select committee here in Parliament doing good work and in this instance progressing legislation which was put forward initially by the National Government and by our good friend Sir Bill English—the Rt Hon Sir Bill English actually. I should be correct in the titles that I give to former members of this House.This bill makes a significant change in terms of our superannuation and veterans pension entitlements for those living in the Realm of New Zealand those who may have been born in the Cook Islands Niue and Tokelau and who then have moved to New Zealand and spend 10 years here—they are New Zealand citizens by birth but then move to New Zealand and contribute to New Zealand—and then look to go back to where they came from to retire. This ensures that they will no longer be needing to spend five years between the age of 50 and 65 in New Zealand in order to maintain that entitlement but will be able to spend those five years in any of the four countries within the Realm—whether that be New Zealand the Cook Islands Niue or Tokelau.So I think this bill does a number of important things. I think first and foremost it builds on the incredibly important relationship that we have within the Realm and that we have as New Zealand citizens and that these shared benefits are shared benefits of being New Zealand citizens. But I think it's important to distinguish between our superannuation scheme and what entitlements they would have if they were to live their entire life in their home country. It is important to note that our tax system and our superannuation system are a benefit of contributing to New Zealand for that period of time—for those 10 years. That is the requirement which is in place in order to be entitled to New Zealand superannuation and that entitlement is therefore required as a way to ensure that economic contribution to New Zealand through work through study through whatever that might be is something which is required in order to be a beneficiary of the superannuation scheme that we enjoy here in New Zealand. If people in those islands whilst New Zealand citizens choose to remain in their home country they will not be entitled to New Zealand superannuation because they haven't contributed here but will have contributed and be entitled under their own schemes in their own country.So I think the important benefit really is economic from this: economically to New Zealand by continuing to allow people to come here to contribute to New Zealand but then an economic benefit back to the Islands in terms of the money that they send to family back in their home country while they are working in New Zealand. I think that's a hugely important role that many of these people do play while they are in New Zealand—sending money back to support their families. But also the important benefit it provides by encouraging and allowing and making it easier for them to actually retire back in the Cook Islands Niue or Tokelau and that will provide huge economic benefit as they have New Zealand superannuation while they are retiring. So I commend this bill to the House. We look forward to it going through the process.