Lole-Taylor Asenati: Vulnerable Children Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLole-Taylor Asenati: Vulnerable Children Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 15 April 2014. Volume:698;Page:17273. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Le’aufa’amulia ASENATI LOLE-TAYLOR (NZ First): Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker for the minute and a half that is actually left before the dinner break. I rise on behalf of our wonderful New Zealand First Party to speak on this Vulnerable Children Bill. The second reading will need to be debated with caution. It is a shame that Parliament is no longer a place where legislation can be debated and scrutinised thoroughly with fair democratic views. New Zealand First voted—The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): I am sorry to interrupt the honourable member. The time has come for me to leave the Chair for the dinner break.Sitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.Le’aufa’amulia ASENATI LOLE-TAYLOR: As I was saying before we broke up for tea this bill needs to be debated with caution. New Zealand First actually voted against the report of the Social Services Committee because there are areas in the bill that need to be fixed. The loopholes create discrepancies for those whom this bill is meant to care for. The report presented an atmosphere of false hope using specific words to sell this Government’s idea of a solution but without true commitment. That has been a major concern. Sweet phrases are being used to win support for this bill in the hope that no one will take the time to look into its contents properly. Language is now becoming the art of window dressing intentionally creating confusion and forcing false perspectives on ordinary people. This tactic is clearly perceived by many who docare about vulnerable children. They do care about our children. They have responded through submissions because they are concerned about their loved ones being victimised unfairly.Our children are precious—there is no secret about that—and they ought to be given a fair opportunity in life. They need love. They need safety. They need access to an environment that cares for their future. They must be provided with the stability that comes with fairness and fosters a balanced approach to life. The truth is that greed is now replacing common sense and love. Love will come when greed and manipulation stop. Love will come when the personal agenda is put aside and there is a focus on positive outcomes for all. The evidence of child abuse in New Zealand is tragic—absolutely tragic. New Zealand’s record of child abuse is concerning. Children are being neglected and ignored. It is a real shame to think that child poverty is actually encouraged here in New Zealand. It is disheartening to have a Parliament that introduces legislation that would result in demolishing any good efforts to enhance a happy environment for our children.We have heard of the saying that when we were children we used to think that when we grew up we would no longer be vulnerable. The unfortunate reality now is that to grow up is to accept vulnerability. The term “vulnerable children” is a relatively new term. The fact is that one of the virtues of being a child is vulnerability. But children are expected to gain more security and independence as they grow older. Sadly the harmful negative and threatening influences of today such as drugs alcohol and domestic and sexual abuse mean that some children never get that chance—never. These negative influences perpetrate the vulnerability of children.It is our responsibility to ensure that our children can grow up to become confident young adults. TheKāhui twins did not have to die if the loopholes in New Zealand legislation had been afforded common sense. The number of young children being subjected to unsafe environments has increased over the last 6 years—or the last few years if I could say it that way. It is a demoralising outcome for a country like New Zealand which often raises human rights concerns at international forums. Young babyNiaGlassie—I am sure that everyone will remember her—would not have died if our Government applied intelligence that would put the safety of our children as a top priority.The words being used in the title of this bill sound great to our ears. The title flows perfectly and it is very hard for anyone to oppose something that aims to provide a safe haven for our young children. One of the positive aspects of this bill is the area where information sharing amongst Government agencies will ensure early detection of vulnerable children. One would hope that it does not get to the wrong hands who could then use it to blackmail those who are already vulnerable. Information sharing means raising any alarm on things that could potentially lead to risks detecting the vulnerability of children and accounting for appropriate actions that would be needed to address the issues. It is meant to put children at the centre of everything that may need to be done. But the bill fails to recognise other elements that can create difficulties for our children. This is the area where the attempt to protect our vulnerable children could be seen as pure manipulation and those with power behaving dastardly ignoring the need for children to be at the centre of any efforts.Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in our New Zealand society. However introducing legislation for political point-scoring is dangerous and will have a huge negative impact on our community. I asked a question at the select committee about security checks on volunteers who are engaged on a regular basis with children. To my surprise the response I was given was that some religious groups are not comfortable with this because it could put people offvolunteering in schools early childhood education centres or whatever organisation it may be. I immediately thought of my motherFeaoLeono who often said we are never so vulnerable as when we trust someone but paradoxically if we cannot trust neither can we find love or joy.If those who offer themselves to volunteer are actually genuine about the service that they provide for young children they cannot possibly be concerned about security checks. In fact they would probably support them all the way. It means that it will be getting rid of the risks and harms that are associated with those who do work with our young children. A number of child abuse incidents occur as a result of these types of situations where volunteers’ backgrounds have not been checked and children have been found to have been abused.I introduced a bill to the House called the Sentencing (Protection of Children from Criminal Offending) Amendment Bill. This bill has been reported back to the House. Again it was a bill that would have deterred criminals from committing crimes in the presence of young children. Some of those at the Law and Order Committee thought that was already covered under the current legislation when it is clearly not. It is down to the judge to use that option. So let me say this: if this were the case and it was already covered then why are we deliberating on this bill here today? To think that the current law allows the judge to consider options that incorporate additional punishment—it is clearly not black and white. It is possible that this current Government is working against the common-sense approach because that bill was under the name of the New Zealand First Party without any regard for the children. If current legislation is sufficient to cover the basic requirements for vulnerable children then why have there been so many cases where vulnerable children continue to be affected?We have a responsibility as a State to protect our most vulnerable citizens. That means children of course and includes seniors and those with disabilities. The question is whether this bill will be enough. Will this bill deliver that outcome? We all accept the general expectation that vulnerable children need safeguards from those who would cause harm to them. Well that is our moral obligation. It is our obligation to ensure that we support changes that will bring about better outcomes. In fact it is our obligation as parliamentarians to introduce legislation that delivers justifiable results including peace and happiness for our tamariki. There is a wider cost to society when children are deprived of basic needs crucial to their development. If we cannot protect the future generations there will be an economic cost to the country as well. New Zealand First will put forward a Supplementary Order Paper at the Committee stage for members to consider and we urge the Minister for Social Development and the Government to seriously give it some consideration. Thank you very much.