Dalziel Lianne: KiwiSaver Bill — In Committee 
Dalziel Lianne: KiwiSaver Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:633;Page:4901] 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (Minister of Commerce) 
: 
 It is wonderful to have an opportunity to take a call at the beginning of the Committee stage of what is a very important piece of legislation to the Government to Parliament as a whole and indeed to this country. The KiwiSaver Bill marks a really important moment in our history as we address a serious problem that this country faces in respect of savings in New Zealand. This is set out in the purpose clause which leads Part 1 of the bill. Clause 3(1) states: “The purpose of this Act is to encourage a long-term savings habit and asset accumulation by individuals who are not in a position to enjoy standards of living in retirement similar to those in pre-retirement. The Act aims to increase individuals’ well-being and financial independence particularly in retirement and to provide retirement benefits.” Clause 3(2) states: “To that end this Act enables the establishment of schemes to facilitate individuals’ savings principally through the workplace.” 
There has been a demand for this type of legislation for many many years now. In fact I recall quite clearly in 1975 saying to my parents as a young 15-year-old: “Why is the National Party using this extraordinary advertising in the election campaign?” as Cossacks were dancing across the screen. As a 15-year-old I thought: “Why is the National Party using this type of advertising with these Cossacks dancing across the screen?”. I said to my parents: “What is that ad about mother and father?”. Because of course at age 15 I could not vote. 
Hon Judith Tizard 
: Who paid for that? 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL 
: It would be very interesting to see who paid for those ads all those years ago. But when I was 15 years old I could not understand what that was all about. They said it was to get rid of a workplace savings scheme. We have had a workplace savings scheme in this country before and it was started in 1974 and was destroyed in 1975 as a result of one Sir Robert Muldoon now deceased. But of course that party sits in this House and it did not even take a call on a question that was put to the Minister of Finance on the KiwiSaver Bill as we heard today—not even a call on that particular question. 
Darren Hughes 
: Why not? 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL 
: I do not know why not. I think those members are ashamed of themselves—ashamed that all these years later finally we are back in this House with legislation that will bring about workplace-based savings. This is not the scheme that existed in 1974. We have had to modernise our thinking for a new century since we had the previous scheme. But I am really proud to be part of a Government that is once more encouraging long-term savings in this country through a workplace scheme the KiwiSaver scheme. 
Apart from setting out the purpose clause this part also sets out the interpretation clause and also states whom the bill applies to. I think it is important to acknowledge that not only does this bill apply to New Zealand citizens but also it applies to those who are permanent residents in this country and any people who are able to hold permanent residence in this country be they Australian citizens or New Zealand citizens. I think that this bill is an important step forward and I think it is an incredibly important moment in this country’s history as we start to debate the Committee stage of one of the flagship programmes of this Government.