Pettis Jill: Families Commission Bill — Second Reading 
Pettis Jill: Families Commission Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:613;Page:10211] 
JILL PETTIS (Labour—Whanganui) 
: 
I am pleased to rise in support of this bill principally because it is an important bill. For too many years now in New Zealand we as a community have talked about the importance of families but I have to say sadly that in many instances we have really only paid lip service to the importance of this very significant and principal institution. This bill will go a long way towards helping us as a society to work out ways that we can be supportive of individuals and groups—all the groupings that make up what we know as “families” in New Zealand—and help them to work cohesively and supportively towards and for each other.  
This bill has been strongly supported by United Future. I am though surprised by some of the dynamics that I have learnt took place on the select committee. I think some of that is quite misguided in its intent. We have spent so long in New Zealand talking about the importance of families so it seems really strange that when it comes down to how one is going to vote on a select committee voting is done for party political reasons—that is quite quite absurd. I am surprised at the right-wing parties of National ACT and New Zealand First voting against a bill like this. 
Sue Bradford 
: Don’t forget the Greens. 
JILL PETTIS 
: I was not going to pick on the Greens. I am trying to express my concern about some of the party politics that got in the way of a bill that is working very strongly towards supporting and assisting families in our country. Sometimes we lose sight of some of the reasons that families have come under so much pressure in this country. Massive pressures were applied to families in the 1990s. Families were placed under huge economic stress because of appallingly thought-through policies. That is the reason that so many families in the low-income category are struggling so much today. It is not rocket science to work out that when a family is short of money it can no longer cope with the pressures it could normally cope with. There is an old saying that when money flies out the window love usually follows it. Sometimes that applies in broader instances to families not just to matrimonial relationships. I have to say that some of the sanctimonious comments coming from the National Party with regard to this bill make one realise what very little institutional memory there is around this place. Some of the policies that were implemented by that party during the 1990s have been forgotten by some of those members who have literally been here only 5 minutes. 
Hon Chris Carter 
: Like market rents. 
JILL PETTIS 
: My colleague Mr Carter is absolutely right. Market rents were imposed almost within 5 minutes of the National Party being in Government and they had a huge negative impact on families in New Zealand. National cut benefits and cut superannuation rates. A whole range of policies was put into place and we as a society are paying for them now. This bill has the potential to be of considerable assistance to families in New Zealand. I look forward to listening to the debate and to the bill’s progress through the House.