Dr MURIEL NEWMAN (ACT) to the Chairperson of the Social Services Committee: When will the committee report back on the Families Commission Bill?

GEORGINA BEYER (Chairperson of the Social Services Committee): I am pleased to inform the deputy chair of the Social Services Committee that the bill is due to be reported by 12 November.

Dr Muriel Newman: Will the Families Commission Bill be reported back to the House earlier than originally scheduled; if so, why?

GEORGINA BEYER: I understand that that would be a decision for the committee to make. However, in my view that is entirely possible.

Katherine Rich: How many submissions objected to the wide definition of a family group used in the bill?

GEORGINA BEYER: I am unable to answer that question precisely; I do not have that information here. However, I can inform the member that the Social Services Committee received 58 written submissions on the Families Commission Bill. Submitters that we heard gave most support to the Families Commission’s role of advocacy and increasing public awareness of matters relating to the interests of families. Some submitters liked the bill’s inclusive approach to New Zealand families, in recognition of the diversity of families. Submitters also supported the research role of the Families Commission. To answer that member’s question, I would be happy to enlighten her on that at a meeting of the Social Services Committee, of which she is a member, tomorrow.