Field Taito Phillip: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Field Taito Phillip: Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:639;Page:9142] 
TAITO PHILLIP FIELD (Independent—Mangere) 
: 
 I just want to congratulate the Rt Hon Winston Peters. I think it is a very good initiative. It is clear up and down this country that the SuperGold card will be in the interests of senior citizens. It will allow their numbers to take advantage of benefits and we know that other businesses operate by using large numbers of people to gain good concessions discounts and benefits for their members. I see no reason why this gold card cannot be used to the benefit of senior citizens and I congratulate Labour and New Zealand First on this initiative which formed part of the coalition negotiations that this Government is now putting in place. 
In saying that I appreciate the concerns that other members have had in relation to personal information that could end up in the wrong hands and how that information could be used. Although I am supportive of this bill I do appreciate the concerns that have been raised. I had some discussions this morning particularly with other members and I acknowledge the contributions of Judith Collins Tim Barnett Heather Roy and Keith Locke. Those members have been in dialogue with me about the wording of an amendment that I believe should give some reassurance to senior citizens about the concerns that were in the media in this morning’s paper particularly in relation to the president of Grey Power calling for a halt to the process of this bill—certainly in relation to microchipping. 
I signal that an amendment in my name has been tabled. That amendment is in relation to ensuring that the critical importance of the protection of the privacy of personal information is conveyed to senior citizens and everybody else if in fact we are looking at technology that could very well be misused. So my amendment and I hope members of this Committee will support it will mean adding the following subclause after subclause (2) in clause 5: “Section 132A is amended by adding the following subsections: (3) An Order in Council providing for the embedding of microchips in entitlement cards may not be made under this section except on the recommendation of the Minister. (4) The Minister must not recommend the making of an Order in Council referred to in subsection (3) unless to ensure privacy and personal information are fully protected adequate consultation concerning the privacy and security of the information to be contained in the microchip has taken place with—(a) the States Services Commission; and (b) the Privacy Commissioner; and (c) any other State agency department or organisation the Minister considers relevant.” 
I hope that amendment will give some reassurance to senior citizens. That wording has been agreed to by the Rt Hon Winston Peters as a way of ensuring that we promote the benefits that this gold card offers to senior citizens but makes it clear that their privacy and personal information will be protected and that the relevant State agencies will endeavour to draft the appropriate protection in the advent of microchipping being implemented. With those comments I just want to congratulate New Zealand First on the initiative it put forward as part of the coalition talks and I know that most senior citizens will benefit from this initiative. Thank you Madam Chairperson.