GEORGINA BEYER (Labour-Wairarapa): It is a privilege to speak to the second reading of the Social Security (Social Assistance) Amendment Bill. I remind the member who has just resumed her seat that her party had 9 long years in Government to make some changes in this regard, if it had so desired. At least this Government has taken some action. The member’s whingeing is quite intolerable and unnecessary. I repeat that National had 9 years to do something about the issue. At least we have addressed it.

There are two other important points about this bill. Firstly, it is expected that from 1 July 2005, several hundred retirement village residents will qualify for an accommodation supplement of $37 to $54 a week, on average. Secondly, the bill will reduce disincentives for people to undertake seasonal work, by enabling applicants like seasonal workers to elect either a 52-week or a 26-week income assessment period for the calculation of their stand-down period. Soon 4,500 people a year will benefit from a reduction in the length of their initial stand-down.

I support this bill and hope it progresses quickly through the House.