Hughes Darren: War Pensions Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Reading 
Hughes Darren: War Pensions Amendment Bill (No 2) — Third Reading 
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DARREN HUGHES (NZ Labour—Otaki) 
: 
 I rise to take a very short call just to follow on in the multi-partisan approach that has been taken on this bill. It is a good example not only of the Labour-Progressive Government honouring a pre-election commitment but also of Parliament recognising the special role that war veterans play in our country. 
The one key point I would like to put on the record relates to some of the changes we made through the progression of the bill from its introduction. The bill will be of huge benefit to the veteran community because we have been able to increase the minimum level of a veterans pension for a married couple to not less than 65 percent of the average ordinary time weekly wage. That is significant because previously that rate had been set at 60 percent for married couples when one was on the veterans pension so the Government has through this bill been able to change that rate from 60 percent to 65 percent. We are very pleased to have been able to do that because it reflects the importance and the value that Parliament and the Government place on our veterans. 
The second key thing we have done is to increase the pension rate in line with a 2.72 percent rise in the consumer price index. This is important because we do not want to see the value of superannuation or the war veterans pension fall as the cost of living goes up so by putting in this consumer price index adjuster the real value of the war veterans pension is kept for people on that entitlement. 
The bill as it is at the moment also makes some amendments surrounding the veterans pension by allowing veterans of working age who need support during rehabilitation to participate in voluntary or part-time work without losing their entire pension entitlement. The bill puts in place a very important process for that whole issue of rehabilitation for war pensioners who are hoping to move back into the work force—normally into part-time work but sometimes if they do want to go into full-time work there can be some difficulties with their pension entitlement. The bill makes a big difference to people in that way. It is important that we have an individual piece of legislation that covers that. We talk about the special status that our war pensioners have. It should not just come under normal or standard law. Parliament ought to put some time aside by way of special legislation to ensure that we recognise the place they hold. That is why one of the effects of this bill is to have the war pension as something in its own right not just as a standard social security entitlement as something that we say is special for those New Zealanders who have served this country in time of conflict. 
I would like to join with Mr Hide in acknowledging Mr Bill Gudgeon the New Zealand First member who spoke very movingly earlier on about both his own experience and the experience of the generation that preceded him and the sacrifice that was made by those who gave their lives. He also made the point that there was a cost to those who came home in that they had a number of very serious physical injuries that often hampered their ability to go into full-time work or back into work they may have been doing prior to their service to the country. So again that reinforces the importance of the bill in recognising the special circumstances of recipients of the war pensions. It is good to have members who are able to bring that home quite clearly to other members of the House. Mine is a generation that has not had to go to war but Mr Gudgeon’s did and it was good to have him in the House and able to put that into all our minds so that we do not think we are debating these bills in isolation. They are part of a much wider issue which is about protecting our older people particularly those who are in the war pensions category. 
The Social Services Committee under the leadership of Georgina Beyer the member for Wairarapa delivered a fantastic report. Its members worked together very well and the bill we see before the House is worthy of the support of all parties. Our colleagues in United Future the Greens ACT the Labour-Progressive Coalition Government and also National have worked together and it is a bill that deserves the honour of this Parliament.