Collins JudithHon JUDITH COLLINS (Leader of the Opposition): It's very kind of the Labour Party to stand and clap as I arise to speak in this adjournment debate. Can I just say to them that my own side here were so entranced by the look of them doing that that they just want to stand back and say it was so wonderful to hear from the Hon Grant Robertson about how humble he feels. Well when he starts talking about humility we all start checking our pockets to wonder what's been taken.Can we just say that this adjournment debate is normally full of lots of laughs and a bit of fun but it's a particularly difficult and sad year for the country. But it is obviously one of those ones I think we're going to look back on as a country and say What an astonishing year." Personally I thought it was a pretty astonishing year—all sorts of things happened that I don't think any of us actually expected and some of us had long given up on. One of those things was to hear Mr Robertson refer to himself as "humble"; I never thought that was ever going to happen. I also heard him today talk about the need to address child poverty and housing. Well the public out there—I can tell him—are not going to put up with answers that just address the question. They're going to want real answers. I say to him: when he's busy talking about buying a house for his big Labour group I suggest he rents it. Just saying.So first off let me thank all the people who help us to do our job well all the wonderful people who work for us in Parliament and in our electorate offices so thank you to all of our staff here in Parliament. In this COVID year social distancing has thrown us all challenges and Parliament's been no different. We've seen the emergence of hand wash floating around the place. We've seen us all having to be so much more careful and distance from each other. And I'd like to particularly thank the staff who clean Parliament at night—day and night—and make sure that they help keep us COVID-free. Their hard work should be recognised. I'd like to thank the police for all the work that they do around Parliament particularly the Diplomatic Protection Squad who were very helpful getting me around the place for the three months of the election campaign. Thank you to the library staff. You do an amazing job and it's amazing that there's such an interesting question today about your work from the Government to the Government. Can I thank the Office of the Clerk. Can I thank the Speaker the security staff the messengers the catering and hospitality staff the drivers the guides around Parliament who do a great job. I like to think that we all when we can when they've got a group of people stop and say hello and have the occasional photo. Thank you to all the parliamentary staff who've worked with us and who helped the National Party throughout the year through COVID through the election and since. It's no secret that National has had a tough year a challenging year and I'd like to acknowledge the difficulties that that placed on our staff throughout the year. As our election result saw fewer MPs it also saw us lose very hard-working and loyal staff and that was very sad to see. Our National MPs I'd like to thank you for the support that you have given me. I'd also like to thank the Hon Gerry Brownlee and Dr Shane Reti who have been the deputies who have stood up to assist me wherever. I have to say they do have slightly different styles and that's appreciated too! Can I thank our families for the support that you have given us; can I thank our friends who have been there when times are tough and who have continued—along with our families—to give us all the support that we need to keep on doing the job we do.It seems like a very long time ago this time last year but in January the world was focused on bushfires in Australia—can you remember that? Tensions between the US and Iran such a long time ago—these are big stories. And in January a story emerged about a virus in Wuhan China. As we stand now at the end of 2020 it's really the one story for which 2020 will be remembered. And while back in January and February no one really could predict the level of disruption that we could see reflecting back the National Party I know played our role a key role in highlighting the story and bringing it to the Government's attention. I'd like to acknowledge our people who did that—thank you for doing that. It wasn't always popular—I think you know that—but we stood up and we held the Government to account for not closing the border sooner as we saw countries like Samoa do. In the end New Zealand got there and New Zealand got through 2020 largely. But for 2020 this was a tough year for many families who were separated separated from loved ones—in some cases people were separated even from their work those who were separated at times of celebration such as weddings or who had weddings cancelled or actually just put on hold. People were separated at times of sickness and separated at times of funerals. It is important to remember that it really wasn't about us. COVID-19 was about the people of New Zealand and the people who did their very best to follow the rules and put their country first. We should acknowledge the people who felt extremely isolated during the lockdowns. We should ask and acknowledge how tough it was for many businesses—businesses who today are or have failed for their employees who wondered whether or not they'd have a job who are wondering now will they have a job post-Christmas.It's been a very sad year too for those who have lost their loved ones to COVID-19. I want to acknowledge all New Zealanders because I think with the exception of a couple almost everybody played their part. They've sacrificed an awful lot this year. While 2020 has been for some one of those years it's been one of those years where you have seen the best of New Zealanders. Whether it was in the reaction and the acceptance of the need to behave differently during COVID-19 acceptance that we had our part to play it was one I believe where most New Zealanders showed themselves yet again and ourselves to be people who will put our country first and our own wishes second. As we move into summer we will have people looking to have a holiday. Some people will take the option of a staycation something—I think we have all learnt this word "staycation"—that will of course assist us. I expect that many people will want to go and help the local economy—I know I already have plans to help the local economy—and I feel it is something we can consider now a patriotic duty wherever possible to help our local economy. I know that there are people who will find it very distressing as they will have family in places like Australia and other countries and they're going to say they can't get back for Christmas. That is going to be really hard for people. And I expect that the Government coming into the new year will want to look very hard as to how they can—with Parliament's help—do the very best they can to get more people home and be able to deal with these situations of isolation and quarantine using technology just as jurisdictions such as Taiwan have been able to do for some time.This is also a time for us to turn off politics and this building. It's a time for us to remember—if we ever needed a reminder—that most people in New Zealand actually don't watch question time. I know this is a shock to us all but apparently some don't. And I would say to them congratulations! I should also mention the press gallery but then I wonder why. The reason is of course they have their part to play in our liberal democracy irritating as it sometimes can be. But they know that I have a sense of humour even if they don't always share it. But anyway I would like to say to everyone: have a lovely time be safe and be kind not just to others but we need to be kind to ourselves because it's been a bruising year. So congratulations everybody. Have a wonderful Christmas break and come back renewed and joyful at the wonderful privilege it is to be a member of Parliament. Thank you."