Dyson Ruth: New Zealand Sign Language Bill — In Committee 
Dyson Ruth: New Zealand Sign Language Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:630;Page:2166] 
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for Disability Issues) 
: 
 It gives me great pleasure to contribute to the debate. I first acknowledge the very widespread support and engagement that the bill has received through to this stage and I am sure will receive through the Committee stage as well. It is not often that we have an opportunity to debate a bill that is supported by all but one of the parties in Parliament and it has been a real pleasure to be involved in it. 
The amendments that have been arrived at during the select committee are a bit of an indication of the way that process went. In clause 7(1)(b) clause 7(3) clause 9(1A) and clause 10A all the new amendments from the select committee have been promoted in a unanimous fashion. I certainly support them. It is just worth noting that it is not often that we get that from a select committee. 
In terms of the entire Part 2 the most important part is clause 6 which states: “New Zealand Sign Language is declared to be an official language of New Zealand.” That is not just a declaration of the recognition of the language; it is a declaration of the recognition of Deaf culture and therefore the importance when one is recognising a culture of also recognising its language. Although I think at least one of the points that Brian Connell raised in his contribution was worthy of consideration I do think he overlooked the fundamental point that recognition of a culture through its language is one of the primary drivers. 
He is right to suggest that it does imply a right to have New Zealand Sign Language in legal proceedings and I cannot imagine that it is a right that anyone in the country would debate frankly. In fact every single member of Parliament during the previous consideration of the bill said that that was correct. The only debate was about the mechanism for doing it. In fact clause 10B states quite specifically that it does not affect the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. It is just debatable whether the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act would be an appropriate place to give recognition to a culture. In my view this is a much more appropriate mechanism for doing so. The Deaf community itself has promoted the idea of legal proceedings being an appropriate place for the right to have one’s own language being made available through interpreter services and I support that. 
I certainly hope that what sounded like a fear from Mr Connell of the use of New Zealand Sign Language spreading throughout Government departments and agencies is a fear that is realised. For me it would be fantastic for all New Zealanders whose first language is from New Zealand to have their language made available to them so that access to information— 
Brian Connell 
: That is your intention. 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: If the member would just like to read the bill he would see that is outlined in clause 9 “Principles”: “government services and information should be made accessible to the Deaf community through the use of appropriate means (including the use of NZSL).” It is very clear that I expect all New Zealanders to be able to access information from Government departments in what is a New Zealand language—New Zealand Sign Language. 
I think the review of the operation of the Act is one that we should consider as a really appropriate mechanism for anything that is a new development in our country. I obviously believe that is the way to go. But there may be improvements to be made; it would not be the first time with legislation. To have an automatic trigger to ask whether it is working in the way that Parliament intended whether there are changes that should be made or whether it should be reviewed is a very sensible way forward. So the review of the Act is something that I not only commend to the House in terms of the New Zealand Sign Language Bill but also urge consideration of by select committees for future new innovative progressive legislation before the House. I commend the bill’s speedy progress.