Bakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Sullivan Birth Certificate Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeBakshi Kanwaljit Singh: Sullivan Birth Certificate Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 19 February 2014. Volume:696;Page:16113. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): Satsriakaal Mr Assistant Speaker. First of all I would like to congratulate the sponsor of the Sullivan Birth Certificate Bill Louisa Wall on bringing this issue to Parliament. Above all I think the biggest acknowledgment goes toRowen Sullivan because the bill shows her respect for her parents. I think that when this bill was introduced—as the chair of the Government Administration Committee Ruth Dyson mentioned just now—it looked like a very simple bill that would go through the select committee process quickly and be reported back to Parliament. But as this bill progressed many more technical issues came up which were dealt with accordingly by the select committee.I would like to acknowledge the advisers on this bill who helped us to make sure that this bill passes through Parliament with all those answers available forRowen Sullivan. This bill is a reminder that quite frequently the Government can and does have a significant positive effect on people’s lives at a very personal level. Therefore it is important that we in this House do not forget our duty to handle these cases with respect.Here I would like to also acknowledge the Government Administration Committee which has dealt with many issues in this term. Whether we are considering the marriage equality legislation or paid parental leave legislation we have learnt a lot in this term in this select committee and I acknowledge the members of this select committee from whom I have learnt a lot. I feel like every day I come to Parliament I learn something new. That is unique and I acknowledge all the members contributing in this House.The matter arises because the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act was passed after which same-sex couples were able to marry and therefore make applications to adopt children. Had Diane Sullivan and Doreen Shields been able to legally marry as the law now allows they would have been able to apply to jointly adoptRowen. If this had occurred they would both be named as parents on her birth record. Here I would like to acknowledge both parents because this is about their raising of their daughter. She has really made an effort to bring this issue to Parliament so that both parents are mentioned on her birth certificate. This shows the good family culture that I thinkRowen has received from both her parents.The Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 now allows the Registrar-General of Births Deaths and Marriages to record Diane Sullivan and Doreen Shields asRowen’s parents. I think this is an important piece of legislation to ensure that New Zealand and its citizens keep up with the times and the reforms where there is a need to. We have always been an open-minded society. We have always listened to what the citizens of this country want. Due to our nature since 2005 New Zealand law has allowed both the same-sex parents of New Zealand - born children conceived through human-assisted reproductive technology to be named on the child’s birth record. The change was retrospective so pre-2005 New Zealand birth registrationrecords can on application be amended at any time to include both same-sex parents’ details. There is absolutely no doubt that this law change will bring a smile to the faces of the Sullivan family.Can I share that the law already contains a rule for changing a birth record in other circumstances including but not limited to situations where a parental order is obtained an individual changes his or her name by statutory declaration or an individual undergoes gender reassignment. However may I also share that this bill does not create a precedent for other individuals seeking to change their registered birth record. The bill applies only toRowen Sullivan and her situation which has itself arisen from a unique combination of circumstances including her birth overseas following a human-assisted reproductive procedure that meant her parents were not registered in New Zealand. The key consideration is that since 19 August 2013 married same-sex couples can adopt jointly. If the marriage amendment legislation had been in place before Diane Sullivan died the train of events giving rise to the bill could have been avoided. The bill does not change the adoption order itself because to do so could set a precedent for other situations where a deceased individual has not indicated an intention to adopt.Before I conclude once again I would like to congratulateRowen Sullivan on her courage and her commitment to both her parents to get their names on her birth certificate so that she can live with pride that she has in due course acknowledged her parents. With these words I commend this bill to the House. Thank you.