Paraone Pita: Human Rights Amendment Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeParaone Pita: Human Rights Amendment Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 26 March 2015. Volume:704;Page:2691. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]PITA PARAONE (NZ First): Tēnā koe Mr Assistant Speaker. I take this call on behalf of New Zealand First and as we indicated in the first reading of the Human Rights Amendment Bill we will continue to support it. The major change concerns the roles of the commissioners and the previous speaker Catherine Delahunty has alluded to that. Although there will no longer be statute-appointed designated commissioners there must be a commissioner other than the Chief Human Rights Commissioner appointed to lead the work in each of the priority areas. Those areas are disability rights equal employment opportunities and race relations. The last speaker made reference to the need to have people with a sense of qualification in those particular areas and yet we have a Race Relations Commissioner whose claim to fame as I understand it was being a world-renowned squash player. But since her appointment albeit attracting some criticism at the time I think she is doing an excellent job. It just proves that anyone who has the commitment to carry out the duties that they are charged with can do an excellent job. The Chief Human Rights Commissioner is also able to designate a commissioner to lead the work in other priority areas of human rights after consultation with the Minister of Justice and the other commissioners.New Zealand First does not agree with those parties that have concerns about the loss of statutorily designated specialised commissioners. We agree with the Government’s new approach which still requires the commissioner to lead in priority areas while also allowing more flexibility for them to work in other areas. This does not mean any loss of quality or focus in the work of lead commissioners. It is a more efficient and more effective use of their time and expertise in our view. In respect of new priority areas the Justice and Electoral Committee has added these words in new section 8(1B) in clause 6: “… in accordance with the strategic direction and the general nature of activities determined by the Commission under section 7(1) …”. This allows the Chief Human Rights Commissioner to designate new priority areas but only in accordance with the strategic direction and the general nature of activities as determined jointly by the commissioners under section 7(1).Chief Human Rights Commissioners can designate new priority areas only in accordance with the strategic direction determined by the commission as a whole. New Zealand First agrees with that approach. It allows for the specialisation needed in the three priority areas but with the limitation that the commission’s strategy be adhered to. An amendment to clause 11 reinforces one of the functions of the chief commissioner being to include allocating spheres of responsibility for priority areas under the strategy. New Zealand First disagrees with those parties in respect of the requirement for the Minister to be consulted on the strategy and priority areas. We believe that there is nothing wrong with that. Consultation is not direction. The commission does not have to do what Ministers suggest but it is appropriate for the Minister to have significant input.However we are concerned that there is no special priority area for age-related human rights issues and there are many examples. I am sad to report that ageism is rife in New Zealand and from time to time we hear references made to that very issue here in this House. People are discriminated against on the basis of age right across the employment spectrum. This party—The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): Order! I am reluctant to do this but over the last month or so we have worked quite hard with members to invite them to deliver not read their speeches. I have heard the member before and I know he can do that but he is not doing it now. It would be good if he could deliver a speech that is not read. Thank you.PITA PARAONE: Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. With respect I am quite happy to give you my notes to show that I am not reading a speech.The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Trevor Mallard): OK. It was just the impression you were giving.PITA PARAONE: As I said earlier on there are many examples of ageism and the comments made in this House from to time have certainly been aimed at a particular member. I should say that that particular member over the last 3 weeks has showed just how wrong those people who have criticised him because of his age have been about his ability to behave in a more what shall I say active younger—I will not say virile—Richard Prosser: Energetic.PITA PARAONE: —energetic—in a more energetic way than a lot of his colleagues here in the House. We do not believe that ageism should be ignored and it should be a particular issue for the commissioners who will be appointed under this piece of legislation. New Zealand First wants age discrimination identified as a human rights issue and I think that that will certainly fall out once this legislation is in place.Comment has been made about the concern as to the number of commissioners. The bill provides for a minimum of four and a maximum of five commissioners to be appointed. The question of course is whether this will be sufficient. We believe that it will. It may provide some extra workload but experience and history show that those people who have been appointed to similar positions are able to undertake the task. Their appointment has been as a result of having knowledge about their ability to do their job. I just want to comment as to the need for the appointment of suitable people for the lead areas and to quote what Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rutherford said: “as there will be fewer commissioners those who appoint Commissioners will need to ensure those in key roles reflect the diversity of New Zealand.” I refer to the appointment of Dame Susan Devoy as Race Relations Commissioner. If her experience as an international squash player—squash champion I should also add—is any indication of the diversity of her skills and the role she has had to undertake as Race Relations Commissioner then I think we have it within our hands to ensure that diversity is in fact recognised.The bill also provides that the commission must report on existing or proposed legislation. I think that is an excellent proposal under this legislation. It ensures that there is a sense of independence—that independent view—provided to those of us who are responsible for enacting the legislation. I think that should be commended. In conclusion I just want to reiterate the support of New Zealand First for this bill. Kia ora.