Pugh MaureenMAUREEN PUGH (National): Thank you Mr Chair. I commend the previous speaker Simon O'Connor your contribution is a lovely segue into my proposed amendment. I'm very happy to be standing here tonight at the committee stage of the Social Security Legislation Rewrite Bill. We've all noted over the last few contributions to this bill in the first and second readings what a huge piece of work this is. The Social Security Act of 1964 has very long been overdue for this overhaul. I do note that the contribution of the National-led Government in tackling this huge piece of work sees us here today.The Social Security Legislation Rewrite Bill will repeal the Social Security Act 1964 and the Social Welfare (Reciprocity Agreements and New Zealand Artificial Limb Service) Act 1990. So I have submitted an amendment that seeks to insert a new clause 97(1)(c). My amendment reads: In the case of an offender being released from prison MSD must no less than 4 weeks before release date ensure that the offender is able to have access to entitlements upon release and assisted with bank account requirements."We know that it is a very vulnerable time for offenders when they are being released from prison. It is a time when there is huge vulnerability and huge changes that are being made to their lives. Those changes include changes to their routines that they have been used to—for some people—for some time. It'll be changes to relationships as they move out of the incarceration and possibly back with family or colleagues and also changes in terms of the security that they have become used to and being back out into the world. It's at this time that if the support is not wrapped around these people it could provide an opportunity for them to probably take up relationships with former associates. This is a temptation that can easily happen. We know that the reoffending rates tell us that this is a very vulnerable time. In order for them to stop slipping back into that life of crime it would be remiss of us not to provide every opportunity that we can to make that transition as simple as possible. In an ideal world they would go back to their home to their family and possibly even to a job. But not all people that are being released from prison do have those advantages.My amendment simply provides in a very small way to have practical assistance given to these people so that when they are released from prison they have a bank account that is open and ready for them to use. We know that if they're entitled to benefits there can be a time delay in having those benefits paid to them whereas if a bank account was ready for them when they were released back out into the world then it makes it so much easier for them to receive their entitlements and certainly if they were to be going back into paid employment then a bank account is absolutely necessary. It's just a small piece of practical assistance.The reason that I've put four weeks as a time limit on that is that prior to the release date within this time the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) can assist with the setting up of the bank accounts. We know that if they do receive this support and it is streamlined then they are likely to be more integrated more quickly. The current wording in clause 97 puts the onus on the recipients of the benefits to provide those details to MSD. In setting up a bank account—I know; I've had to do this a few times even recently as I've just come back into Parliament—it can be an onerous task. We know that with the people that are incarcerated at present around 60 percent or more of people in prison do have a literacy problem and there are challenges—[Time expired]"