Willis NicolaNICOLA WILLIS (National): This is one of those bills that actually does this Parliament proud because it does something that I think members around the House will agree we're often asked to do by our constituents and that is Why don't you all work together to do a good job from time to time? Why don't you collaborate? Why don't you come together and pass good law?" And this is a really good example of that. It's a bill that has many fathers and a few mothers and is all the better for it. Of course it was borne of a policy position a principled policy position that has been held across a number of parties including the National Party that would ensure fairness in terms of eligibility to New Zealand superannuation and would ensure the sustainability of that scheme. It was originally introduced to the Parliament by former New Zealand First MP Mark Patterson who I enjoyed many hours on the Education and Workforce Committee with and then it was kindly adopted by Andrew Bayly a National Party member as his bill on the commencement of this Parliament and in Mark Patterson's absence. It was then dealt with through a very constructive and robust select committee process where submitters raised their concerns and were given a very good hearing. What we heard from many submitters was that they were concerned that this was a very abrupt policy change and that it was introducing a 20-year residency requirement for eligibility for New Zealand superannuation that would create massive dislocation and impact on large groups of New Zealanders and was viewed as very unfair. The Finance and Expenditure Committee all could see that that was a genuine issue and strove to address it through the transition provisions that are in this bill. As other members have discussed coming up with that transition regime was not straightforward. I believe even Dr Duncan Webb a former legal professor asked for a few explanations of exactly how and why it was worded the way it was. So to those who are later negotiating with this piece of legislation we were pleased to be able to add some diagrams and tables to make it a little more interesting. Even the English language has limits when it comes to complex matters such as this. The select committee was able I think to amend the bill in a way that means it keeps to its core principles but that also ensures fair transition arrangements. So together parties across the House have worked effectively on this legislation. There are two things about it that are important to me. The first is that superannuation is actually a New Zealand taonga that is very important and it is something that we must ensure remains affordable and remains sustainable. We as lawmakers have a particular responsibility to look at the policy settings around superannuation to ensure that remains the case. This bill progresses that ideal. The second thing that I think it's important that we put on the record here and that I think is reflected in the way this bill has been dealt with is that actually New Zealand must value those who come to our country from overseas. We must value our immigrant population. We must remain open to the world connected to the world and we must recognise that those who choose to take permanent residency in this country or to take up citizenship deserve rights and also duly take on responsibilities. So part of that is ensuring that they are able to access superannuation after 20 years of residency but we also must recognise—that concept of fairness—that those who work hard in New Zealand throughout their lives do have an expectation that others fulfil residency before accessing New Zealand superannuation. This bill furthers both of those principles. It is a good bill that deals with some technical issues and does so well. I would like to commend it to the House and commend all of those who have helped make it a better piece of legislation."