Brown Simeon; Mallard TrevorSIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga): Thank you Mr Speaker. It is with heavy heart that I rise to speak to the Abortion Legislation Bill. While I know that this is a contentious issue with strong opinions and perhaps emotions on both sides I make no apology in expressing my opposition to this bill and in urging my fellow MPs across this House to oppose it. In the brief time I have this afternoon I want to outline why I cannot in good conscience support this bill. Before I begin I'll put on the record that I am someone who has a pro-life conviction a view that I'm not ashamed of. I do believe that all lives matter: old or young male or female black or white born or unborn. I do not approach this issue with any judgment for the difficult situations that many women find themselves in every day where they consider ending their pregnancy whether that be an unplanned pregnancy a violent relationship or financial difficulties. I can understand why they would want to end their pregnancy. However the question we must ask ourselves as legislators is how we can care for both the mother and the child particularly when the child becomes viable to life outside the mother's womb and I'd like to acknowledge Minister Andrew Little who referenced this in his opening statement in regards to this bill. I know that this is not a view taken by all but it is my personal conviction and is one that I know many New Zealanders hold to by the vast amount of correspondence I have received this week on this issue. I also know that many New Zealanders do support safe legal and rare abortion. However they also hold concerns over late-term abortions. Polling indicates that only a small percentage of New Zealanders support liberalising abortion post - 20 weeks of pregnancy—something that this bill does. Some have said it is scaremongering to suggest that this bill will allow late-term abortion and they are very rare and only required for serious medical need. I contend that if that is what is intended then that is what should be reflected in this piece of legislation. This bill will allow for abortion at the late stages of pregnancy in circumstances where there is no medical need other than the loose and what I think are undefined parameters in clause 7. This is very different from the current law which states that abortion after 20 weeks is only available if necessary to save the life of the woman or to prevent serious permanent injury to her physical or mental health a position which I believe remains much more in step with the views of New Zealanders. Some would argue that these late-term abortions are extremely rare so are not worth talking about. But how does that follow? MPs must answer the question themselves: is a child born or unborn at 24 weeks deserving of some form of legal protection due to its viability outside the mother's womb? If yes then they should be protected by law. Regardless of how rare such abortions are it is our job as legislators to provide legal protection for these vulnerable New Zealanders. This child can respond to stimuli. It can recognise sounds especially the sound of his or her own mother's voice. Developmentally there is no difference between the born and unborn 24-week child; it is simply a question of position. The question also needs to be answered whether this bill will allow for abortion of disabled children such as with Down's syndrome or for sex selection—concerning questions which I hope will be answered. To be a parent is one of the most common things in our world. It is also a very strange and unique position. A child makes demands not just from a mother's body but on her emotions time and life in a way that is simply incomparable to any other human relationship. This is not just true in pregnancy; it's also true after the child is born. Four months ago my wife and I brought a beautiful little daughter into the world and these truths have been brought home to me more than ever. I'm so grateful for all the support for Rebecca and for our child. To have a child is an overwhelming and for some people a distressing time but it's our responsibility as legislators to care for both the mother and the child. I cannot in good conscience support this bill. However I respect every member's views on this issue. I hope that we will see amendments made in this bill to ensure some legal protection for children post - 20 weeks. Thank you. SPEAKER: Members can you resume your seats for a second. I have been taking careful note of members who have been repeatedly going for the call. There are four members in that category. That would take us slightly over the time but only by about five minutes and what I would like to do is seek the leave of the House for this debate to be extended so we have another four speeches. Is there any objection to that? There appears to be none.