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My offices both within the electorate and Wellington have been fielding calls over the past week regarding the Prostitution Reform Bill, which had its second reading in Parliament last Wednesday.
My views on this Bill are well known and were known well before the last election.
I have made no secret of the fact that I spent time working as a prostitute and I continue to follow closely the Bill's passage as it goes through the final parliamentary process.
I feel however that some constituents may be misunderstanding the reasons why I feel this Bill is necessary.
The Bill itself does not seek to endorse or condemn prostitution. It does not give prostitution a new status. It takes prostitution as a reality and seeks to control the harms that are associated with the activity.
The sex industry is a reality and prostitution is an integral part of that industry. It currently has economic drivers and that is pretty inevitable.
Again, the Bill accepts that reality.
The Bill is focused on improving the welfare of sex workers through creating as positive as possible working conditions and broader protections for these workers.
That intent is closely in line with international human rights instruments. It has been prepared in close co-operation with the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective, a model of collaboration between political and community interests which would surely be in line with models promoted by those international bodies.
The Bill does not seek to pass judgment on or give approval to prostitution. It accepts it as a reality and focuses on addressing and minimising the real harm that can be associated with it.
The present laws creates inequities, has led to 400 convictions of sex workers within a five-year period and, according to health and labour experts, mitigates against openness in addressing concerns in these areas.
Many constituents have asked why the Bill is being considered.
It is being considered because of the inequity of the current law, the harms caused by the law and aspects of prostitution and the strong demands of those working in and around the industry.
It would be an irresponsible Parliament that ignored those realities.
This is a parliamentary initiative, not one of the Labour-led Government, and is a conscience vote.
The First Reading of the Bill passed by 87:21 and the second by 62:56.
My offices have also been contacted by constituents and sporting groups concerned that the Government is to confiscate the total profits from non-casino gaming machines to community organisations.
Please let me assure you that the Government is not considering the establishment of a national body to distribute the profits from non-casino gaming machines. I understand that one small party is of that view.
I appreciate the importance of this funding to the sport and recreation sector and other community organisations, especially within Wairarapa, and the need for access at a local community level.
Accordingly, the Responsible Gambling Bill, which contains the Government's policy on gambling, preserves the current arrangements where societies make grants to the community from funding raised by gaming machines.
The Bill, currently before Parliament awaiting its second reading, includes additional safeguards designed to foster the integrity of the grant-making processes.
Another issue my offices have been contacted about is dog controls.
Rest assured that I share your concerns at the number and horrific nature of dog attacks reported in recent weeks.
The Government is determined to improve public safety and has initiated an urgent review of existing dog control legislation. The Labour-led Government is seeking cross-party support in Parliament to ensure whatever measures prove necessary can be implemented as soon as possible.
As part of this review, we need to establish the extent to which there are deficiencies in current dog control legislation. As you will be aware, while the legislation is the responsibility of the Government, it is up to local councils to enforce the law.
It is clear, however, that stronger laws and more effective enforcement cannot ensure public safety unless they are accompanied by changes in community attitudes towards dog ownership.
One contribution everyone can make is to support their local council to do all it can to enforce the current legislation effectively, including reporting breaches such as stray dogs, unregistered animals, and irresponsible owner behaviour.
I encourage all dog owners to keep their dogs on leads in public places, both for the safety of the community and your pets.
If your dog is on a lead or enclosed within your own backyard it can't be accused of attacking someone down the street.
A new Holidays Bill has been introduced to the House and will receive its first reading this week, before being referred to the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee.
During 2002, 75 per cent of all complaints to the Labour Inspectorate were related to holidays and during the same period, 26 per cent of all inquiries to the Employment Relations Service infoline also related to holidays.
While the Bill retains the current provision of three weeks annual holidays, all employees who agree to work on any of the 11 statutory public holidays will receive payment at the rate of time and half for their work.
If an employee works on a public holiday that falls on a normal working day for them, they would also be entitled to an alternate day off.
All public holidays will be treated the same way which means the payment and alternate day entitlements will now apply consistently to Waitangi and ANZAC Days.
The new Act will also provide for five days sick and domestic leave with a separate entitlement to leave where an employee has suffered a bereavement.
Finally congratulations to olive growers Ian Stewart and Mary McCallum for taking out the supreme prize at the Cuisine Awards in Nelson. Well done!
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