Brown SimeonSIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga): Thank you Mr Speaker and thank you for the opportunity to take a call on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill in its second reading. The National Party rises in support of this piece of legislation which is to establish a Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission that will contribute to better mental health and wellbeing outcomes for people in New Zealand.I do just want to start by acknowledging Matt Doocey the National Party spokesperson for mental health for the enormous work that he's been doing for the National Party caucus on this bill. Matt has a huge amount of experience in this field and has been able to bring that talent and experience to ensure that the National Party is providing a well-informed perspective on this issue but also to be able to work across the House so that we're able to address what is an issue which is significant for all New Zealanders and one which I know all New Zealanders have an interest in.I do just want to make the point that this is an issue which is very close to the new portfolios that I've picked up recently the spokesperson for youth in the National Party and also the spokesperson for corrections which are two of the areas which have been identified in the bill as areas where there are substantial poorer mental health outcomes. I'm pleased to see that this bill does ensure that those particular groups will see a particular focus by the mental health commission on them as it undertakes its work.So this commission will have a number of functions but I do just want to point out that I'm very pleased to see the objective of the function says In performing its functions and exercising its powers under this Act the Commission's objective is to contribute to better and equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for people in New Zealand." The select committee chose to remove the word "more" prior to the word "equitable" and I think that's a particularly important word which was removed because instead of the objective being to contribute towards "better and more equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes" it is "to contribute to better and equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for people in New Zealand." I think that points to the intention of Parliament not being that we want to just head in that direction but that we actually expect that to be delivered and that is where I think the National Party and this side of the House really wants to see the attention of Government going towards.It's all well and good to have a Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission but what we want to see as Matt Doocey has rightly pointed out is better delivery is more accessibility for mental health services for New Zealanders so that they can have equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes across New Zealand. I think that's something which we want to see further action from this Government on. We acknowledge the money that has been put towards mental health and wellbeing and addiction services but the reality is we want to see that money flowing through to our communities so that they have better access they have better outcomes so that they're able to get the help when they need it so that we see waiting lists which aren't as long. That is what I hope the focus of this Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission will be: to push the Government towards making that happen.When we left Government we had 17 piloted initiatives ready to go. They were being funded and they were delivering and they were making a difference and the reality is we need to get back to making a difference by putting more funding towards front-line services whilst at the same time focusing on how we can ensure that we have the right outcomes for New Zealanders collecting the evidence making sure that it's flowing through.So there were a few changes made at the committee. The bill originally listed a number of high-risk groups from which the commission would need to seek views. This list has been kept. We've kept the list but note that there are a number of other groups that are not on it. I do just want to make a couple of points on that and that is in clause 13 I think and that is the obligation on the commission to have and seek views from people. It lists a number of groups: "In performing its functions and exercising its powers under [the] Act the Commission must ensure … it has effective means of seeking the views"—and then it lists a range of different sectors of our society whose views are particularly important: "(a) Māori … (b) people who share a common identity experience or stage in life … (c) people who have experienced mental distress and the persons (including family and whānau) who support them; … (d) people who have experienced addiction and the persons (including family and whānau) who support them; and (e) any other group the Commission considers may help … to meet its objective".I think it's important to note in this wideness—or the breadth I should say—of this clause and how it actually does require the commission to listen to an incredibly wide sector of New Zealanders' voices because the reality is that all New Zealanders would fit within those categories. All New Zealanders would fit in there somewhere and that is because mental health and wellbeing or addiction is something which does affect all New Zealanders whether it's a lived experience that you may have yourself or whether that's a family member or whether that's through your connection through friends or colleagues or whatever it may be. All New Zealanders' voices do matter in this process.I note that in Schedule 1A groups identified in He Ara Oranga: Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction have been listed: Māori Pacific peoples refugees and migrants rainbow communities rural communities disabled people veterans prisoners young people older people children experiencing adverse childhood events and children in State care are all listed in that schedule to ensure that they are specifically required there to have their views sought in the process of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill. But I do note I'm not listed on that but I am pleased to see that I am listed in the breadth of clause 13 and I think that's what makes this bill so good.Hon Michael Woodhouse: I count the member as youth.SIMEON BROWN: Michael Woodhouse counts me as youth. I am not youth. I'm the spokesperson for youth but when I had my 25th birthday which was not just yesterday but a few years ago I was no longer youth and so—SPEAKER: The youth branch of the Communist Party is under 65.SIMEON BROWN: Oh right. There we are. So somewhere in the world I'm a young person; I'm a youth—a "yoof" should I say. But look the National Party is supportive of this. We look forward to seeing the commission in operation. We look forward to New Zealanders continuing to engage in this incredibly important subject and we look forward to the difference that it will make over many many years to come. I commend this bill to the House."