Parmar ParmjeetDr PARMJEET PARMAR (National): I am taking this call to support the Children Young Persons and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill in its third reading. I have to say that I am really proud to support this bill and I am really proud of the work of our Minister for Vulnerable Children the Hon Anne Tolley in this space. The Youth Advisory Panel that was set up to advise the Ministers said several things but one thing I want to highlight here is that it said that the need for support does not stop just because someone has turned 17. I know that every individual is different. Some 17-year-olds might be OK and be very independent but there will be some who will need support until the age of 21 and others will need support until the age of 25.So I believe that this part of the legislation is the most far-reaching reform of the Children Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989 as we are increasing the age of care from 17 to 21 and increasing the age for transition support and advice. That will be available to these young people until the age of 25. Until the age of 21 they can come back and be with their caretaker and until the age of 25 they can be dependent for any advice that they need. This is going to be a very effective way of helping these young people get into independence.I remember the Minister Anne Tolley saying that children who are being raised in their own families—when they leave their parents' home it does not mean they are completely cut off. They can come back to their parents' home when they need to. They can call them for support and advice. So why should these children who are in State care be seen differently? This help and advice should be available to them until the age of 25.With this approach of a child-focused operating model that we have which this legislation is to support including children in decision making is another very important component of this bill. Yes I know that the Youth Advisory Panel was consulted and I know that the expert panel consulted young people but ongoing consultation and allowing the participation of young people is important. It is wrong for someone to think that young people cannot think for themselves and that only older people can make decisions for these young people.The other thing the Youth Advisory Panel said was that there were things happening to them. They did not know why these things were happening to them. No one was telling them what was happening to them and everybody around them expected them to behave in a normal manner without providing them with any tools to cope with their fast-changing circumstances. So it is important to allow these young people to have a say. They should be listened to.I am really surprised to see that the Labour Party and the other Opposition parties are not supporting this bill which is to reduce the number of young people in State care becoming dependent on benefit having some contact with the justice system going through a community sentence going through a custodial sentence and not being able to achieve NCEA level 2. But I am really proud to support this legislation because we want to do well for these young people who come to the State for care and protection. I support this bill and commend this bill to the House. Thank you.