Curran ClareHon CLARE CURRAN (Labour—Dunedin South): It is with pain and relief that I stand to give my final speech. It's also with a continued sense of wonder and awareness at the sheer privilege of having had this opportunity. For that I thank from the bottom of my heart the people of Dunedin South who continued to put their trust in me as their representative for the last 12 years.The Dunedin South Labour Party has been my ballast; you have stuck with me through all the triumphs and disasters. Mine has not been an easy ride. Audrey Young once referred to me as a Trouble magnet". I don't disagree though it wasn't intentional. I was part of a group of new MPs in 2008—called the "class of '08"—determined to do politics differently with fresh ideas and perspectives. I helped start a blog for Labour MPs which had never been done before. "Red Alert" was truly innovative and groundbreaking as well as a bit wacky and controversial. It also provided fresh meat for that emerging subterranean species we now call right-wing—and some left-wing—trolls. After five years it ceased but it provided a genuine platform for open discussion between elected politicians and actual people about priorities new policy thinking and ways of engaging with voters. Over 12 years I've been promoted and demoted too many times to count. I fiercely represented my constituents and their issues which sometimes put me at odds with powerful forces. I had ideas I had passion and I was utterly committed to changing the existing political paradigm. I tried to progress some of those ideas in Opposition for nine years and as a Cabinet Minister—and I'm truly grateful for that opportunity. In caucus I sometimes used my voice at critical times. I spoke my mind. Sometimes I spoke out of turn and occasionally I spoke wrongly and harshly. For that I am truly sorry. I made a public spectacle of myself in this House which was portrayed in a way that is the stuff of our worst nightmares. I made mistakes. I paid a price. I was targeted. I've discussed the impact that this had on me. And yes there was a moment when I counted the number of sleeping pills I had. Thankfully I sought help instead. I've recently called out the behaviour in our Parliament and described our political culture as toxic for our political system is sick and we all know it. More on that later. I was ejected from the House three times by three different Speakers: for wearing a Highlander's jersey which was a badge of honour; for standing up for victims of sexual violence a badge of honour; the third time I don't really know what it was about. The Labour Party has been my tribe my religion for half my life. The union movement has been my greatest love since my first cleaning job when I paid my first union dues at age 15. All of us who make our way to this place bring a set of values. Most take them seriously. The values that most resonate with me are compassion justice and plain old fairness. Giving people a voice and empowering them to live their best lives—that's what the Labour Party stands for. In Opposition as spokesperson and in Government as digital Minister my priorities were to ensure access for all to new technologies and to put fair frameworks around them. There's much work to be done inside Government to stimulate digital innovation with a common set of standards and services across Government. We continue to be stuck in the 20th century on this. It's not rocket science but it requires breaking through the silos of Government departments and agencies. I tried—I championed openness from open-source software open standards open procurement open government digital equity transparent algorithms and for ICT to be New Zealand's second-largest contributor to GDP by 2025.The COVID-19 lockdown highlighted some stark digital inequality in our country as we rushed to ensure that children had the tools to continue to learn from home and that older New Zealanders who did not use internet banking could stay home and yet still pay for their groceries and medicines. Access to technology is a social necessity as well as a social good. Yet tech and digital is still seen as a portfolio on the edges worth around $10 billion to the economy with $2 billion in exports in 2019. There are some one-off successes: the massive replacement of the IRD system ordering a new passport online and registering a business. But where are the initiatives that grow innovation within Government? We have burgeoning agtech biotech and fintech sectors. Where's our govtech—the methodologies and applications that enable fast agile adaptive solutions to our most pressing social and economic issues? Why aren't we building scale from our own IT talent through leveraging our $4 billion Government IT spend locally and embedding better practices within and across Government? I acknowledge Don Christie NZRise; Brenda Wallace and Pia Waugh who led the Service Innovation Lab and government; and Kate MacDonald and Professor Colin Gavaghan for their work on digital rights and algorithmic transparency. I also acknowledge Nat Torkington for his championing of tech and his peculiar way of drawing together people from different backgrounds to address the pressing issues of our time. And Fabiana Kubke you're awesome. There's too many to name but special mention of Julian Carver and Chris O'Connell both who died in recent years and provided me with friendship mentoring and ideas. There are just a few members of Parliament who understand and champion the tech sector. After this week there are two fewer. I acknowledge Gareth Hughes and the work he put in over 12 years.As I said Government procurement is a powerful lever to shift local industry development. For years Labour has championed the importance of using its considerable spending power to leverage the flow-on effect to our local economy. We can do better. Jim Kelly helped take that fight to the National Government for rail engineering at Dunedin's Hillside Rail Workshops alongside Dave Kearns Stu Johnson and Wayne Butson the Rail and Maritime Transport Union's general secretary. Don't give up that fight; it's too important. And Jim I wish you were here today but I know you're watching at home with Liz and she won't mind if I blow you a kiss.I want to turn to the role of media which is powerful for a reason. In non-democratic countries it's a propaganda tool to create and maintain a narrative that suits the Government or regime. In democratic countries a free independent and vigorous media keeps democracy clean and safe. Therefore our media is precious. Edmund Burke recognised in 1787 that the press played a key role in political processes acting as a civic watchdog to maintain the relationship between the State and civil society. He said "There [were] three estates in Parliament but in the reporters' gallery yonder there [sat] a fourth estate more important far than they all." Declining trust in our fourth estate is a fact and cuts to the essence of our political system our way of life our democracy. It's time to have a serious discussion about how we practise politics in this country and how politics is reported.Is the adversarial centuries-old Westminster system fit for purpose in Aotearoa? I don't believe it is. For a progressive country highly respected in the world we practise this system in my view in an immature and destructive way. Politicians and the news media focus on conflict perceived or real slip-ups rather than substance and the quality of ideas. The objective is to catch people out and take them down rather than providing a platform of discussion for and against the best improvements to the lives of New Zealanders. Politicians should be held accountable but we are not prey. The accountability lacks perspective—if you don't believe me go ask the public.I address our news media today particularly those in the press gallery. You are not unaccountable though you act as though you are. Your mandate derives from the citizens of this country. Please use it wisely and maturely. You are neither judge nor jury. Remember that your power and the notion of media freedom that you protect so fiercely rests on a promise of service to the democratic public—you are accountable to them. To be credible you must turn the mirror on yourselves. There is good journalism in this country. There are emerging green shoots that provide hope. State-funded media not controlled by but at arm's length from Governments remains essential so that accurate news analysis and information is provided to citizens to maintain the social contract. The UK has the BBC; Australia the ABC. We have a much smaller entity RNZ which I fear has lost its way in holding all media to a higher standard.The declining state of our media is well known but successive Governments have either ignored it or partially and unsuccessfully attempted to address the decline and the causes. In our first term of Government some progress has been made but it is again on hold due to what are considered greater priorities. Until public good media reform becomes core policy our democracy continues to be at risk and our toxic political and media culture will worsen.There are many who have travelled this journey with me. First Parliament staff: you serve us you put up with us you clean up after us—security VIP drivers cleaners messengers the Clerk's Office the Parliamentary Counsel Office the library the Cabinet Office Parliamentary Service even IT. Jane McKenzie you are a treasure.I don't know whether to curse or thank David Parker for putting the idea in my head to stick up my hand for Parliament. At the time I was elected my boys were eight. I used to duck out of the Chamber in the evening into that little meeting room over there and read them a story each over the phone. Captain Underpants featured a lot and Alex Rider books. It was bloody hard being a mum and a politician. I know you all relate to that especially when your relationship breaks up and you have to make parenting work. By 2014 I was the primary caregiver. I simply could not have done it without my best friend and right-hand woman Helen Lob who cared for my kids when I wasn't there campaign-managed me and ran most of the local Labour Party. Your fierce loyalty to me has kept me going through many difficult times.I thank the Dunedin South Labour Electorate Committee well served by chairs Richard Good Don Pryde Jim Kelly Rebecca Williams and now Simon Wilson; the Dunedin South branch; the women's branch Beryl Maultby Lindsay Rackley Linda Smilie Carol Jess Pamela Gordon and Ros McCreadie; Ruth Chapman in the Region Six hub; Daryl Carran in the Meat Workers and Related Trades Union; E tū my union; the Dairy Workers Union; and the Council of Trade Unions here today. Kevin Hale moved heaven and earth to get me from home to the airport and back for 12 years. One morning so determined to pick me up he and his car ended up hanging over the cliff at Broad Bay on the Otago Peninsula due to ice under the snow. A cow literally ran in front of his car and totalled it after he left me at the airport one morning putting him briefly in hospital. Then there was the large hay bale that fell off the truck on to his car on the motorway. Note I wasn't in the car for any of those incidents. I'm amazed you're still with us Cuddy; you're a legend with the biggest heart.I've had and continue to have incredible staff both in Dunedin and Wellington. In my Dunedin South electorate office Gemma Sattherwaite Lauren Hourigan Simone Hourigan Judy Firestone Hazel Davies Georgina O'Reilly Jessie Manning Larissa McStay Nadine Simpson and Warren Chambers who now run my office with humour and compassion and who I depend on for everything. In Wellington Gareth Hancock Sarah Austen-Smith Lauren Hourigan Andrew Robinson Sue Piper Rebecca Brierton Jessie Manning and now the faithful Josh Livingstone. Helen Clark and Michael Cullen you have always encouraged me. Thank you.Despite my short time as a Minister I tried to do a lot and was blessed with amazing private secretaries. Kate MacDonald Bruce Donaldson Meghan Bray and Leigh Huffine thank you for your service the bonds we formed and your embracing of my ideas. My colleagues: Chris Hipkins who does understand what I was trying to achieve in opening up Government to be more transparent to the public. The proactive release of Cabinet papers and key policy documents is just the beginning. You lead the way with public sector reform. Please keep going on that open Government strategy and ensure our Official Information Act is applied properly across Government. The journalists are right on that—and Jade thank you for you friendship at a critical time.Andrew Little lots of respect to you. Please keep on with the electoral reform and if we could achieve State funding for elections our democracy would be so much healthier. Trevor Mallard full marks for your work on how citizens can better engage with their Parliament—could do better on practising kindness and consistency. Grant Robertson whether it's the introduction of the wellbeing lens for economic performance your strategic focus on planning now for the jobs of the future or steering us through the most difficult period in our history post-war you are values-driven immensely capable and with seemingly endless energy and enthusiasm for your huge job—and sport. Jacinda Ardern you once said to me that I wore my heart on my sleeve and had more courage than you to speak my mind. I say that to you—that you have the courage of a warrior the heart of a woman and the soul of our nation within you. You are a leader like no other and our country is so lucky to have you.To my caucus family thank you. Respect to you. Stick together. Look after each other. You're all good people. I believe in you.My family: Shirley Curran my mum who has stood beside me and stood up for me countless times. You couldn't come today because it's too painful but you are watching at home. My dad Kinney Curran died eight years ago today. Dad I continue to try to do the right thing. Judith and Katherine Curran sisters and supporters: I know I've tested that support at times—thank you. You are strong intelligent women. Callum and Riley you probably don't remember much about life with mum before politics. Well that's over now. I'm immensely proud of both of you.From 2009 till 2012 I fought to keep the Hillside Rail Workshops open. I never gave up. Today they are being refurbished apprentices are back and staff numbers are growing. In 2015 I filled sandbags alongside others to fight back a terrible flood in South Dunedin sparking an intense debate about how climate change affects a densely populated low-income low-lying community. Things are better now. There's a lot of focus on South Dunedin's future and a body of scientific evidence building. Be vigilant and strong though.In July 2017 I took a tent to the Octagon in winter and camped to force attention to the terrible attitudes of Work and Income to people in precarious living conditions. Everyone deserves a home. Work and Income is much kinder and more responsive now. Thank you Carmel Sepuloni. To all the people of Dunedin South now the Taieri electorate my people: you will be in strong capable caring hands with Ingrid Leary should you elect her. I gave you my life for 12 years and now it's time to pass the baton. Ngā mihi nui. That's a wrap.[Applause]WaiataSPEAKER: Could I now ask Clare Curran's supporters to leave preferably by coming this way in order to make room for the family and close supporters of Ruth Dyson."