Henare PeeniHon PEENI HENARE (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector): Tēnā koe Madam Assistant Speaker and thank you again for this opportunity to speak at the third reading of this bill. The previous speakers have already talked about what seems to be the rather mundane nature of this bill and it has been fleshed out over the course of this bill—the true impact if you like that these relatively minor changes can have in a community. One in particular and I know it was mentioned only very briefly in the two contributions before mine is of course the fostering of participation in local elections. I think that of all of the parts in this particular bill—and there are several parts—this one in particular is the one that gives me the most excitement. Why? It's because as Minister for Youth this is the common theme that comes through my office: how do we engage our young people in civics?We also heard it from those with disabilities who struggle to simply participate whether it be as a candidate or someone who wants to simply come along to a rally to engage in a debate or in a political rally. They find they are left out. Now while it may sound rather mundane and minor in making such a change I think another clear part that I like about this particular clause—clause 10—is that actually there is a line of accountability for this particular task. I know some people think that it should be the task of those like the Electoral Office or the Electoral Commission to make sure that people are far more engaged in this space but this one clearly says that there is a responsibility upon the council—namely the secretary of the said council—whereby there is an accountability there. It's easy to say something but actually to follow it up and make sure that there's an accountability there is I think an important part—one that gives confidence to those who wish to participate in this particular process—because without that then it's simply just words on paper. It's simply just words that mean well but actually have no follow-through. Really of all of the clauses that's the one in particular that I really endorse in my contribution today.I mentioned it in another part of the process that this bill has travelled on whereby a select committee has heard the submission by Mojo Mathers about the barriers that are confronted by those with disabilities who wish to participate in electoral matters in local government matters in central government matters. The submissions on that particular bill were absolutely astounding. I don't say that in jest or lightly because as an able-bodied person and someone who's been able to fully participate in Government matters locally and centrally we take that for granted. We really do. The fact that if I recall correctly in the last election—and I ask your forbearance for this minor digression. I was thinking about some of the debates that were entered into and scheduled for candidates running. Six of the 10 debates were held at a venue with stairs—no other access for the disabled community. We take it for granted that I got there and thought I was talking to constituents and locals about matters that related to them and now upon reflection I realise just how poor that process was.So while it might sound like I'm going on about this particular bill it is a very important one as I've already mentioned. It is important. Some of the other matters that are covered by this particular bill which have already been canvassed are of course the—Hon Jacqui Dean: What's the matter—doesn't this Government have much business?Hon PEENI HENARE: I'd like to thank that member for that interjection because she's going to see very soon that this House and this Government are going to deliver on what the people of this country have been waiting for. I don't say that lightly because they waited for nine years and what did they get? What did they get? They got deficits—they got deficits. In fact if there's one thing that the last Government can claim it's to open the Waterview Tunnel. What a joke because that started under the Labour Government. So you know it's instances like that—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): Order! Order! I encourage the honourable Minister to come back to the bill. Thank you.Hon PEENI HENARE: Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. Look some of the other matters that are covered in here—and while that side might laugh at how mundane they are indeed the fact is that you can make a public notice far more accessible and far more transparent to those who see it relevant. While that side being cast in the Stone Age have only read notices in the paper—well the world has moved on. Papers aren't the only way that people receive public notices. In fact the readership is declining which probably works in favour of the National Party actually because it stops people from getting involved but I digress.I think that particular clause 2 around public notices and allowing a far wider reach in terms of service of public notices—and it also tidies up some of the language in there—is a step in the right direction. As the father of a 22-year-old son—and I've mentioned him several times in the House now. If the notice was posted on Fortnite or on PlayStation 4 he would probably read it. So there were questions as the process of this bill was going through the House about Well what kind of platform are we trying to talk about?"Hon Andrew Little: It can't be brand-specific though.Hon PEENI HENARE: Ha ha! No that's right. But the internet more broadly speaking is one pathway to do that but we've also got to remember too—and I'm going to give away a secret to the members on the other side of the House: if you go on to a gaming forum for Medal of Honour you can speak to approximately 3500 New Zealand gamers on a Sunday afternoon. That's what I do. They engage with me and they all vote in local body elections. I'll be one to make sure that I actually share the public notices and encourage them to get involved in local government.Hon Ron Mark: What's your gamer tag?Hon PEENI HENARE: I can't give that away; there would be too many friend adds—probably from that side of the House! But it goes to the purpose of defining what "internet" is and exactly how we access the public and share these public notices. It's easy to say "the internet" but the PlayStation 4 is one of those things. Gaming online on the internet—Hon Jacqui Dean: That member is talking far too much about PlayStations.Hon PEENI HENARE: If that member would like to challenge me on the PlayStation 4 I'm up for it. Look—Hon Jacqui Dean: I haven't got the time.Hon PEENI HENARE: I wonder if she knows what a PlayStation 4 is. Actually she probably still uses an iPhone 1 but I digress.The public notice clause is a particularly good one. One of the other ones and it was mentioned in the debate as the progress of this bill went through the House was of course the good work by the Hon Ruth Dyson around the rates rebate. We want to acknowledge her not just for her contribution in this particular bill but of course for her contribution throughout her entire career.Just for the record my gaming tag is "Rekless"—R-E-K-L-E-S-S—"_Hua"—H-U-A. Add me up and I'll beat any other National Party member like I did in the 2017 election.It is my duty indeed as somebody who sat through many of the submissions to thank the Governance and Administration Committee for their work on this particular bill. Since I've been digressing into the realm of the internet and PlayStation 4 this Saturday is the first Māori Fortnite gaming platform. This Saturday in Tāmaki-makau-rau any of the members of this House—Tim van de Molen: At least have a go at talking about the bill.Hon PEENI HENARE: This is relevant to the interjections from that side of the House which I understand are fair game the last time I checked. This is an awesome way to connect with young people. Bringing it back to the bill: Fortnite on Saturday—all the Māoris join up. There's $10000 to be won. I commend this bill to the House."