Hutchison Paul: New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in  Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill — In Committee 
Hutchison Paul: New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in  Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:631;Page:3100] 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Port Waikato) 
: 
 In speaking to Part 1 of this New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill— 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Clem Simich) 
: We are on clause 3—on its own. 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON 
: That is exactly what my colleague the Hon Dr Nick Smith was talking about. But I want to go back again to the genesis of the bill—to where the Labour Government has shown extraordinary tardiness in relation to the cares and concerns of older New Zealanders. From 2004 not only was Mr Page in great anguish over this situation but also many others in New Zealand were in the same position. It has taken 3½ long years for this callous Labour Government to move to do anything about it. Back in 2002 Barbara White and 1519 others brought a petition to Parliament calling for the moves that are finally taking place today with the support of the excellent National Party. It did indeed take 2½ to 3 years before this Labour Government did anything about this iniquitous situation and it was the Hon Dr Nick Smith who made all the difference in terms of bringing Mr Page’s case to the human rights commissioner. That hugely embarrassed the Government and it was not until the Labour Government’s embarrassment was acute that it finally decided to move. 
I reiterate and emphasise that it was not only Mr Page and many many others throughout New Zealand but also back in 2002 Barbara White and 1519 others who begged the Labour Government to do something about the situation. But no it was not prepared to do so. It was far too busy creating welfare dependency and other such situations with thousands of New Zealanders and it failed to admit this very unfortunate iniquity that affects so many older people. 
I must say that when we look at the figures we see that there are very serious connotations to the situation because the net after-tax married income is $203. Effectively this bill changes that to $263.90—a difference of $60. That is a huge amount of difference to an elderly person who is living alone and who has to contend with not only power and food bills but also doctors’ bills and all those other basic necessities of life that are so difficult for them to provide. Here we have a Labour Government that has known about this situation since 2002 and has chosen to do absolutely nothing about it. 
Bob Clarkson 
: It’s inhuman. 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON 
: As Bob Clarkson says it is absolutely inhuman. It is really just a reflection of the Labour Government having a lacuna for some of the very important detail that affects people around New Zealand. I think Bob Clarkson was absolutely right when he said it was inhuman. Thank goodness the National Party was here to remind the Government that this iniquity existed and it is good today to be supporting a bill that will indeed put right this very very wrong situation. 
The other thing I wanted to say will have to wait for my next speech because it looks as though the time has come for me to finish. But I am very glad to support this clause. Thank goodness the Labour Government has finally moved.