Bradford Sue: New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill — First Reading 
Bradford Sue: New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:629;Page:1637] 
SUE BRADFORD (Green) 
: 
 On behalf of the Green Party I take a brief call to say that we also are totally behind this bill. It is long overdue and once again characterises just one aspect of the huge mess that our income support and welfare system is in. However at least this little piece of it is being sorted out. 
I would like to endorse the words of Peter Brown who just now said that it has been a bit disappointing to hear such frivolity from Mr Key on this topic. This is actually about fixing up a situation for people in absolutely desperate straits at the end of their lives where one partner of a couple has been in long-term residential care and the other partner who has been left out in the real world has been stuck on the married rate of the pension or veterans’ benefit to his or her disadvantage. That is actually really serious when one is counting every dollar and every cent and it is not something that should be the subject of a whole lot of laughter. 
I would also like to acknowledge the role that Lianne Dalziel of the Labour Party played. An elderly petitioner came to the Social Services Committee as did Lianne Dalziel to tell the committee about this situation. I would like to acknowledge the courage in coming to speak to the committee of the elderly lady who led the petition. She has had long-term support from Lianne Dalziel in trying to get this legislation through Parliament. I would like to acknowledge both her and her colleagues for bringing it through—quite quickly now that I know something about the legislative processes here. It has been quite a quick process since we heard the petition at the committee not a long one. It is good to see that the Government does not just accept the decisions of the Social Security Appeal Authority. I just wish we had a mechanism whereby we could look at a lot more of them rather than just this one. 
The Green Party is totally behind this measure. We will be pleased to see the day come very soon when this anomaly is ended as it affects thousands of people. I understand that the select committee process will be quick which is excellent—as long as people have a chance to make submissions. If people have problems with it let us hear from them but I doubt that they will. 
On the other matter of the Volunteer Service Abroad I say that I think it is fantastic that the Government has seen fit to extend the period for which people can get superannuation or the veterans’ pension while they do volunteer work abroad. It is being extended from 1 year to 3 years. It is a wonderful thing to see our older generation giving their time and experience in this way and I know that increasing numbers of them are doing this once they leave our regular workforce. It is a great contribution that this country can make particularly to our neighbours in the Pacific and Asia. 
From what I understand this is very unusual: we are seeing unanimity across the House in support of a piece of welfare legislation. That is great. Let us just get there as fast as we can.