Lotu-Iiga Sam: Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Lotu-Iiga Sam: Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 18 July 2012. Volume:681;Page:3659. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA (National—Maungakiekie) 
: 
 It is an honour to speak in this Chamber. That speech from Catherine Delahunty about this legislation the Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill attacking women coming from a woman totally misrepresents the intent of this legislation and totally misrepresents the intent of the National Government to actually help those who are in need. I encourage that member to actually read the bill to participate in the process—as she leaves the Chamber—and see what this is about. Work testing is about obligations. 
Holly Walker 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I believe that it is a convention of the House not to refer to the absence of a member and the member just did that in his speech. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I am sure the member will take that into account. 
Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: I said “as she leaves the Chamber.” I did not note her absence. She was on her way out. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: Order! I have ruled and the member cannot refer to the ruling once I have ruled. The member must withdraw and apologise for that. 
Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: Speaking to the point of order— 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: No I have ruled. Just withdraw and apologise. 
Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: I apologise and withdraw. May I continue? 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I asked him to withdraw and apologise and he did. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Well he did it backwards and there is a required format. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: That does not matter. The intent was clear. 
Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: Thank you sir. Thank you Mr Mallard. What we heard was an attack on women which this bill does not actually do. This bill has work testing as an obligation because we know the evidence shows that work is good that work can be good and that work actually leads to better outcomes—not just for those women but also for the children those women support. We have heard today where the jobs are. Before I came to the Chamber I looked on SEEK and saw that there are 16364 jobs out there. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: How many jobs? 
Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: There are 16364 jobs. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: How many full time? 
Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: Full time—Mr Cosgrove wants full time: 13149. Mr Cosgrove might want part time: 1028. Mr Cosgrove might then ask about temporary jobs: 2038. The fact is those jobs are there. They are there but some of those jobs require skills and that is why in this bill we require as an aspirational goal National Certificate of Educational Achievement level 2.  
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: Where did you get the info Sam? 
Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: It is also clear from the statistics—and I encourage the member to look at Statistics New Zealand—that 2135000 people are working as at 31 March. More people are working in this country than at any time in our history— 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: Ha ha! 
Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: —and Mr Cosgrove knows that. He laughs about it. He knows it. He knows that this Government has grown the economy 1.1 percent in the first quarter. He knows that historically we have got some of the lowest interest rates in our history. He knows that the inflation figures released this week have shown one of the lowest inflation rates. He knows that this Government is doing a great job of looking after our people.  
We heard the arguments from Mr Sio around rent and electricity but what we did not hear is that people also receive other benefits like Working for Families. There are— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I have not been in the Chamber and I acknowledge that in my absence there might have been an agreement to have a broader debate but my understanding is that we are on Part 3 of the bill. I am just waiting for a reference to it. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: I am monitoring it very closely yes. 
Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: We were talking about work testing. Debate has been robust in terms of jobs. We have had members opposite ask where the jobs are. I have had to help them with some information and help them with some facts because— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: Who made these numbers up? 
Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: Those numbers are real Mr Mallard. They are as real as “Charlie” block at Paremoremo where you and your mate might end up. They are real numbers and I suggest that those members go to Statistics New Zealand and actually read what is going on in this country. [ 
Interruption 
]  
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch) 
: It is inappropriate to call a member “chicken”. I will ask the member to withdraw that comment.  
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I apologise and withdraw. 
Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA 
: I did not hear the comment. I did not see how I was abused. I am going to move along.