Mark Ron: Human Rights (Women in Armed Forces) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Mark Ron: Human Rights (Women in Armed Forces) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:638;Page:8763] 
RON MARK (NZ First) 
: 
 In rising to speak to Part 2 of the Human Rights (Women in Armed Forces) Amendment Bill I just say to the Minister in reference to the comments she made about Anzac Day and political parties recognising and paying tribute to veterans of the past by laying a wreath from their political party—[ 
Interruption 
] This is in reply Mr Chairperson to comments already made and allowed to be made in this Committee— 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: We are debating Part 2. 
RON MARK 
: I would say that the Government has consistently ever since 1999 when it came into office had Labour Party Ministers and members of Parliament fronting up at the cenotaph in Christchurch and laying wreaths on behalf of the Labour Government so— 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Part 2 Mr Mark. 
RON MARK 
: Part 2 is fine Mr Chairperson but we allowed those comments to be made by the Minister and they require a response.  
New Zealand First is supporting this bill—and Part 2 of it—because it recognises the reality of the defence forces today. There are a number of realities that people must take on board. Firstly in my visit to Afghanistan over the adjournment with the Minister of Defence and my opportunity to meet with and talk to servicemen and women employed in the provincial reconstruction team the fact was obvious: there are men and women deployed into that provincial reconstruction team. One of the patrols that accompanied us out as we patrolled in the Bamiyan province led by Major Paul King had in its midst a number of female soldiers who were there carrying Steyr rifles. They were fully tooled to do the job they were trained to do. So the reality is that women are engaged in our defence forces at all levels including the rather nebulous term “front line”. They are there today. They are working there today. They are doing the job today.  
One could argue in fact that this legislation is pointless because women are doing the job that it will formally and legally entitle them to do. I guess that what we in New Zealand First would ask is whether it is about time we started to recognise that work. Maybe we could start by going back and recognising Nancy Wake who is our first front-line woman to serve with distinction at that level. It is ironic sad and very disappointing to the point of being hypocritical not to recognise Nancy Wake’s front-line service. We would argue that to continue not to recognise her is a breach of her human rights is it not? 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: I just say to the member that I know I have probably been a bit too tolerant towards members from all sides when it comes to debating Part 2 but the reality is that Part 2 is a very narrow part. It is not an opportunity to explore the reasons behind the repeal of section 33. That is covered in Part 1. The debate should be confined to the removal of the references from the Employment Relations Act. 
RON MARK 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I accept—and I do not contest—your ruling. However I ask for some guidance here. You have unfortunately allowed the Labour Party and the National Party to defer and to detour. Now you seek in a New Zealand First speech to curtail New Zealand First’s right to respond in the same way. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: The member will be seated. I respond to that by saying that the Minister was replying to an accusation made across the Chamber. I allowed her to do that. I accept that she went too far. The member though has only 1¾ minutes left and if he wants to address the bill then I think it would be better that he did that for his own political party. 
RON MARK 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. You did not answer in the slightest iota my question which was about the fairness of the way you treat New Zealand First as opposed to the two old-hat parties. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Thank you Mr Mark. I do not have to answer questions. I am actually here to ensure that the Committee runs smoothly. The issue is that we are debating Part 2. I am bringing the debate on that part—which is quite narrow—back to order. 
RON MARK 
: This is my first opportunity to speak on behalf of New Zealand First—on any aspect of the Committee stage I point out. We are supporting this part—all one clause of it. I want to make it clear that the reasons New Zealand First is supporting Part 2—clause 6(1) (2) (3)—is that we generally agree with the supporting thrust of the measure it contains which supports the entirety of Part 1 about which I was trying to speak. It is frustrating sometimes being a member of the third-largest party in Parliament to be treated differently from other people. I lament that and I await further discussion on the title of the bill when that clause comes up for debate. It will be a wide-ranging one and that will allow New Zealand First—which has the only returned serviceman in its ranks in the Chamber—to have a wider say.