Mitchell Mark: Fair Trading (Soliciting on Behalf of Charities) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Mitchell Mark: Fair Trading (Soliciting on Behalf of Charities) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Sitting date: 27 June 2012. Volume:681;Page:3445. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney) 
: 
 It is with great pride that I stand to support the Fair Trading (Soliciting on Behalf of Charities) Amendment Bill. I think that the Hon Amy Adams and our senior whip Michael Woodhouse were actually taking a real lead in something that is a problem not just here in New Zealand. This is a global problem where people are losing faith in charities because up to 80 percent of their money is getting tied up in administration fees. But I have to say that this bill is making sure that over $1 billion of revenue is actually getting to the people who need it most. 
I would just like to address the previous speaker Su’a William Sio and say that today all I have heard from the Labour Party the Opposition is an attack on the Government because we have a plan—because we have a plan! Yes we do have a plan and a bill like this is actually part of that plan in making sure that $1 billion of revenue finds its way to the people who need it. I would ask the Opposition to maybe take a leaf out of our book and come up with a plan even if it is a two-point plan. Give us a two-point plan. I mean that would not be too much to ask. That would be interesting to see. 
Kiwis are some of the most generous people in the world when it comes to donating to our thousands of worthy charities around New Zealand. I am sure that when they make their donations there is an expectation that most of the money will be used to support the delivery of services to the people who need that support most. Unfortunately that is not always the case when third-party businesses are being used on behalf of a registered charity. There is a real risk that a disproportionate amount of the money collected is retained by the collectors to cover costs. I am sure that there are many members of the public who are not aware of this fact. As I have said Kiwis are the most generous people in the world when it comes to supporting charities. I would just like to use some figures to demonstrate how important this piece of legislation is. 
We currently have over 25000 registered charities in New Zealand. These charities are supporting a wide diversity of groups within our communities—animal welfare religious groups children the elderly and families. Kiwis have given over 444000 hours of their time to charities over the past year and our nationwide charities received income of more than $1 billion. So it is easy to see looking at some of these numbers just how much money time and effort have been donated each year to charities and why it is important to give donors the piece of mind that the money they donate is finding its way to the people who need it most. This piece of legislation goes a long way to restoring confidence in charitable appeals that are so important and a real part of the fabric of this country. 
The Commerce Committee received and considered 25 submissions. The committee heard seven of these submissions and I commend the committee for its work because it is apparent listening to Mr David Clendon that it has gone a long way to actually making sure that there is support in the House for this bill which I think is very important. The bill will provide for a regulation-making power which is very important. This gives more flexibility to make the changes that work. I was going to take only a short call on this bill but it has been a pleasure to be able to stand and support it. Thank you very much.