GEORGINA BEYER (Labour): In case anyone had forgotten, we are debating the second reading of the New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans’ Pensions (Entitlements of Spouses and Partners of People in Long-term Residential Care and Remedial Matters) Bill. This bill is designed to ensure a fairer and more equitable treatment for many older New Zealanders. The Social Services Committee, which was pleased to receive this bill, worked very collaboratively and well together on something that nobody had any real disagreement upon. It was drafted well and the advice we received on the bill was pertinent. We were able to expedite it quite quickly. As chair of the committee, I thank the committee for its good work, and the advisers and committee clerks and staff for the assistance we have had to bring it back to this point in the House.

This bill is delivering on Labour’s election promises, as per usual. It extends the eligibility for the single living alone rate from 1 July 2006 to married superannuitants with a partner in long-term residential care. That was a key election commitment, and the bill does that. It extends eligibility for the single rates of New Zealand superannuation or veterans pension to all superannuitants and veterans pensioners who have spouses or partners in long-term residential care in a hospital or rest home. This change will mean nearly an extra $20 per week for approximately 2,000 qualifying older New Zealanders. The bill also removes the sharing expenses rule, which is arbitrary and too strict in places, and it extends to 156 weeks the time people can be paid New Zealand superannuation or a veterans pension while they are overseas and undertaking voluntary work for a recognised aid agency.

The bill is further evidence of the commitment of this Government towards ensuring that superannuitants and veterans pensioners are able to live in dignity and to participate fully in society. This is the Year of the Veteran, and what better timing could we have? The Labour-led Government has already made significant progress on issues that are important to older New Zealanders, and this bill builds upon that progress. I commend it to the House and look forward to the rest of its passage.