GEORGINA BEYER (Labour-Wairarapa): I am privileged to speak in the third reading of the Parental Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill. But it is so disappointing to follow the previous speaker who has just resumed her seat, Dr Muriel Newman, because she was talking down.

In fact, this is a great night for many thousands of New Zealanders. This bill is about uplifting the family, and it is about providing benefits for many more people yet to come. I am glad to see that the parties opposite that are going to vote against this bill will be supportive of increasing the benefits in the future—which the Government has given a commitment to look into—for the self-employed and others.

So we look forward to that support, as we move forward. This is a great step tonight for New Zealanders—men and women alike—and we should be proud. I support the bill.