Two new MPs from Labour and National made their first speeches in Parliament this afternoon.
Labour’s new MP for Christchurch East Poto Williams said she had grown up with not a lot, but her father always had a job and there was always food on the table, New Zealand had changed a lot.
She spoke about the victims of child abuse whose plight showed their needed to be a society which cared for the vulnerable.
Political parties agreed on this, but had different ways of getting there.
Williams spoke of her wish where all had an equal opportunity to get ahead on a level playing field.
New Zealand had a low wage economy which had pushed more people into poverty, she said.
Parents needed support to raise children to prevent child abuse.
Her electorate was still recovering from the earthquakes, but many were still suffering and there still high levels of stress and ill-health.
National’s new list MP Jo Hayes said she was humbled to be in Parliament and ecstatic to be part of the National caucus under the leadership of John Key. Hayes also praised National’s coalition partners.
She had grown up in Ekatahuna and other small rural towns with her family ensuring they had love and all the necessities even though they were poor.
Hayes said she had been brought to believe if people worked hard anything was possible.
The House then adjourned for the dinner break and after this MPs turned to the committee stage of the Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill taking all parts as one debate.
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