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June 2009

Going For Gold

Submitted by Heather Roy on Sat, 20/06/2009 - 11:55am

Hon Heather Roy opening address to the SPELD New Zealand National Conference; Quality Hotel Plymouth International, New Plymouth; Saturday, June 20 2009.

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Thank you Michael for your warm welcome.

I am delighted to be here today to join SPELD New Zealand in welcoming you all to this conference. I would like to acknowledge your hosts, SPELD Taranaki, and thank the conference team and the Executive and Board for inviting me to speak to you this morning.

It is also a pleasure to welcome your impressive line-up of keynote speakers, who have all travelled to be here: Dr Linda Silverman, Jan Polkinghome and Professor Tom Nicholson. In my experience conferences always stimulate ones enthusiasm and I suspect you will all go home at the end of the weekend with a renewed sense of purpose.

Anti-Smacking Referendum

Submitted by Heather Roy on Wed, 24/06/2009 - 4:45pm

Hon Heather Roy - General Debate, Slot One; Parliament; Wednesday, June 24 2009.

Violence is not acceptable in any shape or form. It is a plague that haunts our communities, and violence against the vulnerable - against our children - is totally abhorrent.

I say that as a mother, and as a politician. That's why we have laws that are explicit about violent behaviour and which impose punishments on those in our society who choose to inflict violence on others.

The Anti-Smacking Bill - repeal of Section 59 - was promoted as the solution to the terrible abuse suffered by too many children. Details published around these cases - the Kahui twins, Lillybing, Nia Glassie and far too many other children - were so repugnant that I couldn't read them.

MVS Amendment Bill

Submitted by Heather Roy on Thu, 25/06/2009 - 12:13pm

Hon Heather Roy speech to the First Reading of the Motor Vehicle Sales Amendment Bill; Parliament; Wednesday, June 24 2009.

Mr Speaker, I move that the Motor Vehicle Sales Amendment Bill now be read for the first time. It is my intention that the Bill be referred to the Commerce Committee.

Section 163 of the Motor Vehicle Sales Act required the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to conduct a review of the Act after two years of its operation.

This Bill is the result of a proactive assessment of the Act - which looked at whether the operation of the legislation is meeting the intended policy goals - and makes a number of amendments in order to improve the legislation's workability and operation.

As an ACT Party Minister in the National-led Government, I am very supportive of such proactive assessments of the relevance and effectiveness of legislation. Legislation should achieve its stated intention without imposing unnecessary and unforeseen side-effects.

Public Consultation For Defence Review 2009

Submitted by Heather Roy on Fri, 26/06/2009 - 4:39pm

Hon Heather Roy speech for the launch of Defence Review 2009 Public Consultation; Te Papa, Cable Street, Wellington; Friday, June 26 2009.

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to reinforce Hon Dr Wayne Mapp's introductory comments about Defence Review 09. We have both noted often that the primary role of any government is protecting its citizens, and the release of the defence Review 09 Terms of reference on April 21 reflected the importance of that challenge.

The history of this nation is tightly woven with its armed forces. All Kiwis have some connection - past or present - through families, friends and neighbours. The state of our three services reflects, not just practical requirements but also, the respect we hold for the sacrifices of our forebears. That's why it is especially appropriate that the launch of the public consultation phase of the review today is set amidst the backdrop of Te Papa.