Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: General Debate 
Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: General Debate 
[Volume:632;Page:3784] 
Hon LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector) 
: 
 Kia ora talofa lava and warm Pacific greetings. Families are the heart of our nation. We all know that strong families and communities contribute to the social and economic development of a strong independent nation. That is why the Labour-led Government is committed to supporting New Zealand families young and old from their early years to their golden years. We are in Government to make a difference for the better and we are doing so thanks to our Minister of Finance Dr Michael Cullen who weaves all these threads together to deliver strong social and economic development for our nation. 
1 July this year will see the rolling out of a number of initiatives that are aimed at supporting New Zealand families to make their lives healthier and happier. Supporting older New Zealanders is a big part of the 1 July roll-out along with the rates rebate scheme that will benefit up to 300000 low-income New Zealanders. 
The Labour-led Government has also made a commitment to progressively remove asset testing and that is exactly what it is doing. In my electorate of Mana we have a large proportion of senior citizens who will applaud that action. Our elders and our senior citizens have also worked hard and contributed to building this nation. It is only right that in their golden years we can reciprocate their significant contributions and we are doing so by continuing the phase-out of income and asset testing for people in aged residential care from 1 July—a key election promise from 1999. From 1 July single people and couples with both partners in care will be able to keep up to $160000—up from $150000 currently—in assets before those assets are used to contribute to the cost of their care. The Labour-led Government is investing $14.3 million to enable this year’s threshold increase on top of the $93 million invested to continue the phase-out started last year. 
This policy is about fairness. Older New Zealanders who have built up assets throughout their lives should not be penalised when they go into residential care. Our policy contrasts starkly with National’s heartless position. Members should remember that National introduced asset testing for older New Zealanders last time it was in office forcing many older New Zealanders to sell their family homes in order to receive care—lest we forget! 
The Labour-led Government is committed to improving the quality of life for all Kiwi families. From I July 2006 we will also deliver on our key election commitment regarding the extension of eligibility for the higher single rate of superannuation to married superannuitants with a partner in long-term residential care. The New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Amendment Bill and the War Pensions Amendment Bill are designed to ensure fairer and more equitable treatment for many older New Zealanders. The main aim of these bills is to extend eligibility for the higher single rates of New Zealand superannuation or veterans pension to all superannuitants and veterans pensioners who have spouses or partners in long-term residential care in a hospital or rest home. That change will mean up to about $60 extra per week for approximately 2000 qualifying older New Zealanders. 
The bills also remove the sharing expenses rule which is arbitrary and too strict in places and extend to 156 weeks the time for which a person can be paid New Zealand superannuation or the veterans pension while he or she is overseas and undertaking voluntary work for a recognised aid agency like Volunteer Service Abroad. This year is the Year of the Veteran and these bills offer further evidence that the Labour-led Government is committed to ensuring that superannuitants and veterans pensioners are able to live in dignity and security. 
We promised to deliver to New Zealand families young and old—and we are. The roll-out of the 1 July initiatives is proof of our commitment to keeping our promises but more important these initiatives are making a difference in the lives of many older New Zealanders throughout the country and that is what really matters. Our elders and our families are the heart of our nation. They are the most important priorities in New Zealanders’ lives. That is why this Labour-led Government will always put their well-being their security and their happiness high on the agenda.