Gudgeon Bill: Prostitution Reform Bill — In Committee 
Gudgeon Bill: Prostitution Reform Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:609;Page:6160] 
BILL GUDGEON (NZ First) 
: 
 In all humility do we as citizens really want this bill to be passed? Do we want our generations yet to come to be born into a world of degradation? Do we want our children and our grandchildren to have available as they would under this bill a recommendation that there is a job down the road as a prostitute and that if it does not work out the Accident Compensation Corporation and Work and Income New Zealand will be available to provide further assistance if needed? Where will this bill take New Zealand citizens? Where will it place families on the agenda of New Zealand’s social structure? I have great regard for those who have stood to be counted as being against this bill and I challenge those who support this bill to go back to their electorates and talk to the families who reside there. They will find that the great majority of them will speak out against it.  
This bill is an abomination against society and it is against the sound social fabric of families. It will never alleviate the problems that we do have but it will escalate them into a situation that will go beyond our control. New Zealand First strongly proposes that this Parliament vote against the Prostitution Reform Bill so that families will continue to be strong—so that they will contribute to our communities positively and uphold standards of integrity and decency. I also notify this Committee that New Zealand First opposes any suggestion of making any amendments to cushion what will still be disastrous.  
How in the world can anyone say that this bill is flying the banner of human dignity? Does it enhance the protocols of decency? Does this bill encourage proper and good health practices? Is there any moral integrity in this bill? For those who have a concern for the future of our people and nation I strongly recommend that we vote against it. It is an abomination to all humanity. I am astounded when I hear people express concern for their families and say how much they mean to them then go into reverse to support proposed legislation that will contribute hugely to a failure of promoting good family values. 
 I am appalled that we as a society will in some instances support such legislation even with suggested alternatives when in the case of this bill evidence already exists that very young girls are out on the streets trying to make a dollar to satisfy the demands of gangs throughout the nation and especially now that we have in our communities and schools the enormous problems that methamphetamine is creating. Our world has enough trash in it without us engineering more through legislation that will bring our nation to its knees.  
In conclusion I leave the Committee with this thought: it all begins with our own personal virtue. Reformation of the world begins with reformation of self. We cannot hope to influence others in the direction of moral virtues unless we live lives of virtue. The example of our virtuous living will carry a greater influence than will all the preaching postulating and theorising that we might indulge in. We cannot expect to lift others unless we are standing on higher ground. Finally I give a quotation from Professor Hirini Moko Meads which I will translate: “He toi whakairo he mana tangata.”: where there is artistic excellence there is human dignity.