Henare PeeniPEENI HENARE (Labour—Tāmaki Makaurau): Tēnā koe Mr Assistant Speaker. Thank you for this opportunity. I rise for the Labour Party in support of the Evidence Amendment Bill. I do want to extend on some of the comments already made across the House firstly to congratulate the Justice and Electoral Committee because just like Mr Bishop it was one of the first proposed bills before the select committee that I was able to get my teeth stuck into. I certainly learnt a heck of a lot from members across the House. Robust debate was had right through the select committee and of course in this House and we have come now to what is a good bill a bill that will pass through this House. But I take the point by Mr Kennedy Graham and of course others in the House who have said: It is a step in the right direction; sadly we feel it could have done a little bit more." I am reminded of the words of Sir James Hēnare who said: "[We] have come too far not to go further." This is one of those opportunities where perhaps we could have done just that little bit more to ensure that the trust the faith and the integrity of the system are sound and strong. We know that in recent weeks it has come under question and it has come under fire. We know that it is important in society that when those who are processed through the justice system or for those who have had to appear in front of the court to give evidence and for other matters we want to make sure that they enter into a system that is fair—a system that carries strong integrity in the eyes of the New Zealand public. I think that this particular bill goes a long way to doing that. It keeps in step with some of the technological changes that too often this House is too slow to realise and I think that is a good thing. I also want to comment on the ability for children to give evidence in a way that will protect them in a way that will ensure that revictimisation does not occur and that tamariki who have important things to say in matters in front of the court are actually heard and are looked after. I also note that in the bill the judge also allows for support people to be there for those tamariki whether one or several. That discretion is left up to the judge but I think that is an important step. To leave a child in the care of officials or lawyers on such a heavy issue on an issue that will no doubt have severe consequences not just for the child but for the entire case—I think it is an important step forward to make sure that those tamariki those children receive the kind of support that they deserve when they enter into the justice system. It is good lawmaking. It makes sure that the evidence that is provided is robust. The members across the House have already spoken about many parts of the bill but I just want to finish my contribution given it is a short one about that opportunity to do just that little bit more. It has been mentioned about the age it has been mentioned about the Supplementary Order Papers from the Green Party and across the House and this is one of those opportunities where—and I take the words of Mr Bishop who said: "Look perhaps we'll end up finding ourselves back here to do just a little bit more." That is a bit of a shame given that the opportunity presented itself in this term of Government. We hope then that in the future we will come back here and we will be able to make this more robust to make sure that the integrity and the way in which the New Zealand public views the justice system are in good stead and are in good vein. Kia ora."