Blue Jackie: General DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBlue Jackie: General Debate[Sitting date: 17 April 2013. Volume:689;Page:9454. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Dr JACKIE BLUE (National): It is a pleasure to speak in this general debate which is more than likely going to be my final general debate. I would like to begin by acknowledging the many many MPs in the House who have wished me well in my new role as the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner which I begin in early June. I want to acknowledge the contribution that the former Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Dr Judy McGregor has made in this role. Her work output has been extensive and her work extraordinary and outstanding. I have got huge massive shoes to fill I know and I will certainly do my very best to do that. I am truly and sincerely humbled by the messages of support from throughout the House and also from well-wishers around the country.On this day I would like to acknowledge all women MPs in every party in this House. It is not easy being a woman MP—it ain’t easy that is for sure. At times it is brutal it is personal it is combative and it is hostile. So well done everyone—all women MPs in this House. And with the exception of the Green Party women MPs are in the minority in their respective parties. We make up 50 percent of the population and it is unacceptable that we make up a little over 30 percent of the current Parliament. That I know by international standards is not bad. But New Zealand has been a leader in this area. We gave women suffrage in 1893; we can do it again. I lay down thatchallenge to all parties with the exception of the Green Party and that is also for future political parties that might be forming.I would like to particularly acknowledge the cross-party groups that I have had the pleasure to work in over the last 7 years. They are the New Zealand Parliamentarians’ Group on Population and Development and that role has a focus on sexual reproductive health and rights of women in Pacific Island countries domestic violence and our aid budget; and the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians group which I co-chair with Louisa Wall which has the focus of increasing the number of women MPs in Pacific parliaments. That is why we are so very excited about the Pacific forum tomorrow and the debate that it will have about gender. We are looking forward to that very much.I have so much enjoyed working in the cross-party space working collectively for an objective with like-minded people. Whether it is about sexual reproductive health and rights or increasing the number of women MPs in Pacific parliaments or whether it is lobbying for the Arms Trade Treaty it has been a pure pleasure it has been rewarding and I have enjoyed it immensely.The work particularly in the New Zealand Parliamentarians’ Group on Population and Development has left me with the absolute and utter conviction and passion that in developing countries by backing and empowering women and girls economies countries and communities will go forward. But the same applies to the developed countries. As women progress everyone progresses and that is why I am so thrilled and excited about my new role.Judith Collins told the House today that with my appointment to Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner she has appointed a lefty to the position. She said that with mirth but I will wear that as a badge of honour.I am grateful that while I have had the opportunity to be a member of Parliament in this House I have been given the opportunity to advocate in a number of areas which I will just outline as time allows. But first of all I would like to wish Louisa Wall really well in the third reading of her Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill.I have a bill in the ballot which I hope a colleague will take up and that is the Marriage (Court Consent to Marriage of Minors) Amendment Bill. That bill would mean that if young people of 16 or 17 wish to get married they will need to go through the Family Court. Parental consent is out of the loop though obviously when the Family Court judge hears an application the family would be included. I believe sincerely that that would take possible coercion out as a factor with the marriages of young people. These marriages happen only about 100 times a year so in the background of 20000-plus marriages each year we are talking about a small number. So I am hopeful that a colleague will take that up and that it will get drawn be debated and pass through the House.I am particularly proud and I will always be proud of the fact that the Government took up the 12 months’ funding of Herceptin—absolutely. I know that has made—Hon Member: Jackie it was your work too.Dr JACKIE BLUE: Well yes it has made an enormous difference. Studies that have since come through have proved beyond any shadow of doubt that 12 months is the gold standard. I am so proud a National Government funded it immediately after becoming the Government in 2008.I am also particularly pleased that I have had the opportunity to advocate for enrolled nurses and I am pleased that the Minister of Health expanded that role into acute services as well.Mr Speaker thank you for your leadership in the House. Thank you everyone each and all thank you so much.