GEORGINA BEYER (Labour-Wairarapa): It is a privilege to speak in the second reading of the Social Workers Registration Bill. As the current chair of the Social Services Committee I would like to acknowledge and credit the Social Services Committee of the previous Parliament, which dealt with this bill. Therefore I would like to acknowledge the membership of that particular select committee, with its chair, Taito Philip Field, and Mahara Okeroa, Sue Bradford, Helen Duncan, Dr Liz Gordon, Dr Muriel Newman, Jill Pettis, Katherine Rich, Bob Simcock, and Anne Tolley. There are a couple of names there that we have not heard for a wee while, and it is nice to have them mentioned and given credit for having worked on such an important bill.

The registration of social workers will enhance not only competence but also credibility, and give certainty to the public on the quality of service they could receive from people who work in this area. Social workers are extraordinarily vital to some of the current issues that communities around New Zealand are working on and with. As we do have a numbers problem with social workers, we hope that these mechanisms will enhance the work they do and the confidence that the public has in the work they do. It adds to their bona fides in a very positive way. I support the bill.