Stewart Barbara: New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans' Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill — In Committee 
Stewart Barbara: 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:3509] 
BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
: 
 It is with absolute pleasure that New Zealand First supports Part 1 of the New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill. As has been pointed out the bill affects a significant number of our seniors; Dr Paul Hutchison mentioned that the number of people was in excess of 2000. We definitely want to see the bill passed through Parliament quickly particularly as every speaker to date has supported the bill. New Zealand First is 100 percent behind the bill and we want to see it fast tracked through. We do not want to see it delayed in any way. We know that developed countries around the world are assessed by how well they care for their seniors and we must ensure that our seniors here in New Zealand can live well in their golden years. 
The changes that are outlined in the bill are absolutely essential. This is fair legislation and I know that that has been mentioned by every speaker to date. So we all want to see the bill passed. New Zealand First members are very pleased that this bill removes the anomalies that exist with the living alone payment. The amendments mean that eligibility for the living alone payment will be based on actual living arrangements rather than be influenced by whether another party is making a contribution. We hear so many sad stories when someone’s partner ends up in care and the remaining partner is left to cope. Unfortunately those people are living single lives at home but they still have all the responsibilities and costs that come with a household. It is time that this issue was clarified because we believe that people have been let down totally in this area in the past. 
Of course New Zealand First wants to see fairer treatment for our senior citizens and we are pleased that this is the second change we have seen in this Parliament. The first change was the raising of the superannuation rate to 66 percent of the net average wage which we applaud. Our next change will be the introduction of the golden age card for senior citizens. New Zealand First members know that our seniors are actually waiting for that change. We know too that the issues that are dealt with in this bill are urgent and people need to have them sorted out so they can get on with their lives. 
Chris Auchinvole 
: Keep waiting! 
BARBARA STEWART 
: I know that the National member on the other side of the Chamber is also waiting for his golden age card. I can assure him that after the next election he will more than likely be eligible to apply for it. So I ask him to support the golden age card at this point in time. We are looking forward to the implementation of the golden age card and we know that that is coming through as a result of our confidence and supply agreement. 
We must acknowledge that this bill also deals with veterans and we need to remember the enormous sacrifice veterans have made on behalf of all New Zealanders. We owe those people a great deal. I thought that speeches made by some National members in this debate were a bit rich considering that successive National Governments would not recognise some of our veterans and would not give them medals—veterans like Nancy Wake and Des Scott—but I have heard that Sergeant Manahi will be recognised. There is also Lieutenant-Colonel Maloney. The Viet Nam vets have been striving for a long time to have some settlement over agent orange and of course there are also the nuclear test vets. They are all people to whom we owe a great deal. It is worth saying that the veterans of overseas service need to be recognised and we want to investigate ways of achieving that recognition. With the Year of the Veteran now upon us I know that one of our priorities in that area will definitely be met. We need to ensure that veterans and superannuitants have the best possible living standards and we do not want to see them disadvantaged in any way. This bill goes some way towards actually ensuring that. 
So we want to see the bill passed quickly through this Parliament—we do not want to see any delays—and we will be supporting it every step of the way. I know that my colleague from Hamilton East David Bennett will definitely be very happy to see the bill passed too.