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OK. Oh, in the middle. Hello, everyone. As I said earlier, I'm Richard Arnold. I'm the chair of Rainbow Wellington, and we're hosting this event in what is proving to be the most interesting run up to an election that we've had in a long, long time. And it's good to see so many many people come out to see this happen. Um, especially lots of young people who are of great interest in the electorate at the moment. [00:00:30] Um, I'm now going to invite all of our, uh, politicians who are coming to speak to us tonight to come up to the stage and take seats wherever they like. So we're very pleased to have everyone here. Um, I'd like to say thank you. First of all, uh, to Saint Andrews. Susan who's, uh, hosted us here in this wonderful venue, this wonderful community venue. Um, and it's great that, uh, we can be here thanks to the politicians for turning up, so we'll hear from them shortly. Um, thanks to you guys for turning up and, [00:01:00] uh, facing them. Um, I'd also like to thank uh, the rest of the rainbow Wellington board who helped run this event But also we've got some volunteers from inside out. And, um from, uh, Pride New Zealand and possibly from other places as well. So I can't remember We're collecting, um, money for for those, uh, community organisations at the front. So that's, uh, little, um dishes there. You're also very welcome. If you'd like to join Rainbow Wellington if you haven't, we're Wellington's [00:01:30] networking, social connecting lobbying organisation. So we do various things apart from our monthly drinks. We, um, run events like this. Um and also we put submissions into, um Parliament, for example, where we've got a submission in on the expungement of historical offences Bill that's currently under consideration. Parliament. OK, so I want to explain now how this event is going to work. So there are going to be three phases after this one. Phase one is we're gonna invite each [00:02:00] of the, uh, the, um politicians to have have a four minute uninterrupted speech, and Lauren Wilkerson is going to see that. So it is a strict four minutes. You may not go over. There is a dinging bell. Um, that will interrupt you if you go beyond that. Um, Phase two is a question and answer from the floor, which I will wrangle so you'll have an opportunity to ask questions and we'll have some of the politicians answer. It won't be feasible to have every person answer every question. So we'll, um, [00:02:30] we'll do subsets of that. That'll be the end of the formal proceedings. After that, we'll have a mix and mingle. You'll be able to meet the candidates face to face 1 to 1 over some refreshments. So that's food and drink that we have. OK, so without further ado, I'll just run through who we have here. We have Grant Robertson from Labour Phil Lynch from, um, the Conservatives Pete Young from the Democrats Nicola Willis from National Jane Logie from Green. [00:03:00] Just, um uh, gala is from, uh, the migrants Paddy blanket from the Opportunities Party, Damien Light from United Future and Stephen Berry from act. So I'm gonna hand over to Lauren. Uh, welcome. Thank you for coming. Um, so, yes, like Richard said, we'll get four minutes, um, slots per [00:03:30] party. Um, we'll keep them to a tight time frame. Um, please. Uh, hold on to your questions until after they've spoken, so we'll start with the Grant Robertson, and we'll hand the mic around. So, Grant, if you'd like to take the floor Uh uh, Greetings, everybody. It's great to see a good crowd here today. Uh, and also, I'd like to add my thanks to Susan for having us here. Once again, Uh, at Saint Andrews on the terrace. I feel almost [00:04:00] like I've refound my presbyterian, uh, roots because I seem to find myself at Saint Andrews on the terrace on a very regular basis, but pretty much always talk about rainbow related matters. So, uh, that's a very good thing. Um, I've handed round to you, or hopefully, most of you have got access to a copy of a summary of our rainbow labour policy that we're taking to this 2017 election. I'm extremely proud of this policy. What it is is a continuation and a reaffirmation of the Labour [00:04:30] Party's support for our communities. Uh, we can go back to the 19 eighties and see the Labour Party's legacy, and in terms of homosexual law reform through the civil unions, marriage, equality with lewis', uh, bill there. We are proud of that legacy. But we also know that there is always more to do in the journey towards fairness and social justice in the journey towards, uh, equality, acceptance and embracing of all of our communities. So I'm going to work you through two [00:05:00] or three of the highlights of that policy. Now, um, it is a summary, too, because being the Labour Party, we have, like, an eight page document that goes with it. But we thought we'd give you the, uh, the 2.5 page version today. And it really is built around those three themes around access around freedom and around equality. And when it comes to access, the issues that we want to highlight this year are our support for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation's campaign to end HIV by 2025 in New Zealand. New transmissions of HIV. [00:05:30] This is completely possible now, and actually it's a moral imperative for New Zealand that we step up and we do this. A core element of that is access to prep, but it is also so about access to education, the ongoing social marketing campaigns that NZAF does regular testing and counselling services. We can do this if we commit ourselves to it, and we need to do it because we've actually seen a record level of new transmissions of HIV in the last year. [00:06:00] The time has come for us to step up and join that campaign, and we're very proud to do that. The other particular issue around access that I want to highlight is towards affordable health care for our communities and in particular for the trans community. Uh, the time has come for us to address a terrible injustice not only in terms of access to surgeries, which is horrifically low in New Zealand at the moment, but also in terms of broader health, health care and the health needs of our transgender community being met. [00:06:30] So we will make that a priority. Labour is going to add $8 billion to the health budget over the next four years, on top of what's been committed by National in the budget this year. We can do that because we're not prioritising tax cuts. We think it is better for our community to come together. We can be a lot better together, and we can actually provide the kind of quality health services such as those for our trans community. Uh, if we make those choices as a country. [00:07:00] 20 bucks a week in your pocket for a tax cut might sound good, but I'd rather see our whole community able to access quality health care services as a priority for us. When it comes to the issue of freedom. I really just want to talk briefly, and there's a lot more to the policy here. But I want to talk briefly about the importance of safe schools and a safe environment for young people to grow up in. Uh, the cross party group that we've had in Parliament has done some really good work [00:07:30] around, starting to improve what the Education Review Office needs to do when it goes into a school. How many? 10 seconds? Um, we can do a lot more in that regard in terms of enforcing the guidelines that we've got and in terms of equality, we've still got a legislative thing to do, and that is to make sure that we eliminate discrimination on the grounds of gender identity from our law. Lots more in the policy. You'll see it soon. Thank you, Gran. That's great, Phil. [00:08:00] Thank you very much. I'm Philip Lynch. I represent the Conservative Party, Uh, in the Rima electorate, I only found out it was about quarter past five that, uh, I've been trying to contact Lauren for quite some time during the last week, and particularly during the last couple of days to see whether or not I'd be able to be here. And I got the confirmation that 5 15. So I run all the way from upper hut to be here. So excuse me if I'm a bit out of breath and, uh, I don't hold [00:08:30] it against you That you didn't give me a standing ovation when my name was announced. I represent the Conservative Party partly and mainly probably because I agree with them that for New Zealand and New Zealanders to reach their full potential, we need to reinvest in families, families to the foundation of a healthy society. And a multigenerational families are the pillars in that society. Government doesn't trump family because government cannot supply Children the love that only your mom and dad can provide. [00:09:00] If we're serious about tackling issues like child abuse, child poverty, substance abuse and suicide, then we need to teach our young people how to build, develop and maintain healthy, long lasting relationships knowing that the best place for Children to grow up is with the mum and dad that love them and each other. And that's part of the, uh that's part of the standard text. I'm going to go away from that and just say to you that the Conservative Party does not have as far as I know, [00:09:30] Uh, any specific poli, uh, policies R related to GB double T IP Q plus, as was, uh, mentioned to us in the circular. But I'd like to speak to you tonight, if I may, just for a few minutes about inequality. Uh, and there are two glaring inequalities. Um, discriminations, I believe that exist in New Zealand and have done for some time. Uh, the first of that is a financial discrimination. [00:10:00] It came about principally in the 19 eighties when the new right decided that there was a better way of running the economy. And what happened was, uh, the few at the top picked up most of the Berries and the many at the bottom got the stones that were left out of them. Uh, there's something wrong with the taxation system and a and a, uh, system and a government, which seems to reward the few at the expense of the many. And we believe that there is a better way of collecting [00:10:30] money because see, governments actually don't have any money. I mean, I know that Grant's talked about 8 billion. He's going to throw around. They don't have any money at all other than what they take out of your pocket and borrow. And right at the moment we'll have people going around the country telling you how much they're going to spend to do all these things. They're spending your money, and we believe that the best way for you to get ahead and everybody to get ahead is to take less of your money. And one of the ways of doing that is to change the system we have [00:11:00] of collecting on everything we buy. Uh, currently, you pay GST on everything 15%. So if you go into a supermarket and get a trolley with $100 worth of retail goods, you'll pay 100 and $15 for that. We believe that if you use a financial transaction tax instead of GST and you set that tax at half a cent in the dollar, then your trolley will cost you $100.50 [00:11:30] instead of 100 and 15. And you can do the math if you want to. It works out. It also means that if you want to sell a million dollars worth of shares, you'll pay $5000 for the privilege of that. And if you want to use that million dollars to buy another, uh, lot of shares, you'll pay another 5000 on that. So it's just reorganising where the money is coming from. And I reiterate government doesn't have any money other than it takes from us. The second thing, uh, the discrimination. The worst discrimination [00:12:00] in New Zealand is discrimination against one group of New Zealanders because of their size, place of residence and age. I'll talk about that later. Thank you, Phil. Thank you. Uh, moving on to Pete Young from, uh, Democrats. Yeah, Uh, greetings. All, Um, I'm always used to going last because of my surname. So this is really strange for me, and Yeah, I'm, uh I'm here on behalf of the Democrats for social credit. [00:12:30] Uh, unfortunately, we don't we don't have a candidate anywhere in the Wellington region. Uh, but many thanks to the organisers who've kindly allowed us to have some speaking time. Um, so I'm just here as an informal party rep to do that. Um, I want to talk to you this evening. Um, about how I see our party's philosophy and policies being, um, very supportive of of your needs and aspirations. Um, our party constitution sets out [00:13:00] as fundamental beliefs that systems should be made for people. Uh, not people for systems, Um, and that the the individual is more important than the state. So those are our starting principles. Um, in respect of what I have to say, um, tonight, uh, so we have among our party's fundamental policies, uh, universal basic income UB I, um, as a right of citizenship. Personally, I'd prefer to see that as [00:13:30] a right of, uh, of residency or even of humanity. But that's that's where it is at the moment. Um, with economic security, Uh, I believe that we could shake off many of the shackles of conformity and oppression, Uh, on our individuality. Uh, well, at least it would help, um, free education. Free health care, including mental health care and old age care. Uh, those would certainly help, For example, [00:14:00] to reduce the risk and the number of suicides, we we want to put human rights into a a written constitution. Um, your human rights against discrimination, uh, on the grounds of sex, for example, or sexual orientation would be set up as the highest law, uh, at the level of the highest law constitutional law, Um, over the heads of politicians who might ever want to, um, [00:14:30] kick that around. Um, obviously, uh, the protections against discrimination should extend to adoption. Uh, surrogacy and excess issues. Uh, however, the protections in the Bora in the Human Rights Act as they stand, um, are actually still rather slim. So we we would simply welcome you to join us and help us develop our policy. Uh, two things that really need explaining. Uh, first, [00:15:00] how would we fund all this? Well, some of you may remember that we are the party of, um, monetary reform. Um, you know, we can never shake that label. The funny money party. So there, I put it out there for you. Um uh, but, uh, I can't Can't go into that in any any detail. I don't know. Perhaps in question time, someone might like to ask a question. Um, and then the the last item I want to cover is that we actually have a policy for citizens initiated [00:15:30] binding referenda. And I know that many of you will be shuddering, even at the mere mention of that policy. Uh, but, uh, however, please remember that our party's policy is first of all to put your human rights into, um, constitutional law and so that they would be removed. Uh, the protections against discrimination would be removed from the political realm. Uh, this is how it's been done in in Switzerland. And although I'm no expert, I understand that the experience [00:16:00] of, uh, ill two plus has not been bad in Switzerland. Um, thank you. Uh, so, um, the constitution would prohibit any binding referenda or, for that matter, any politician from targeting you as as minorities That Thank you very much, Nicholas. Thank you very much. Good evening. My name's Nicola Willis and I'm nationals candidate here in Wellington [00:16:30] Central. And I just want to start by addressing that gentleman and saying that families come in all shapes and sizes. And what matters is not the gender or sexuality of the parents, but that the Children are loved. I'm a new candidate. I haven't been in our parliament, so I don't have a track record of having voted on the pieces of legislation that are important [00:17:00] to your community. However, I do have very strong values as relates to these issues. And I want to be clear with you tonight about those values. First of those values is that I want to see the rights of our rainbow communities upheld and protected. The second of those values is that I want to see young people, uh, from the LGBTI community growing up feeling included, recognised and safe from bullying and hate. And I in particular, want to recognise [00:17:30] that it is young people in the LGBTI community that are disproportionately likely to suffer from mental health, illness, um, mental health challenges and from suicide. And that is a that is a devastating fact. And it's one that we have to work together as a country, uh, to confront, um, I myself am a mother of four Children, and I want to know that growing up in New Zealand. My Children will be treated well and respected no matter how they identify according to their gender or sexuality. [00:18:00] Finally, um, I want to acknowledge, um, in in echoing the sentiment of grant that there are a range of issues that we need to continue to make progress on, Uh and that will continue to come up in progressive parliaments. And where those issues and challenges come up, I think organisations like Rainbow Wellington uh, and other groups throughout the country have a particularly important role. And I want to today commit to working with you to be an ally for you. Uh, and to be a voice in the national party caucus, [00:18:30] that can be a conscience on these issues. So having spoken of those values, I do want to acknowledge the progress that this previous Parliament that just dissolved this week has made. It was fantastic to see, um, an apology made to those convicted of offences under the homosexuality, um, clauses of previous legislation, Uh, that apology and the fact that it was universally upheld in Parliament, I think was a great sign of where we've come to, um and [00:19:00] it's good to see that legislation brought before the house to provide a pardon for those offences. That is fantastic progress. Um, it's also good to see that we have the AIDS foundation supported, um, and its goal to see New Zealand be HIV free. But I want to just, um, in the final minute or two of my four minutes. Um, talk about this issue of LGBTI Q youth. This is an issue that Nikki Kay, our minister for youth, has given particular, uh, attention to, [00:19:30] uh, with increased funding for rainbow youths and inside out in particular, uh, and the development of a cross agency response group, uh, to support, uh, the range of initiatives across government that need to happen here. Um, so clearly what needs to happen is that we need to support organisations to provide the mentoring and the leadership and the demonstration of how our young people should be treated. And I want to see that work continue. Uh, and I was really pleased to see, in the recent mental health package [00:20:00] policy package released by the government, um, more than $8 million committed to, uh, mental health resilience in schools. Um, finally, in closing, can I just uh, recommit that. I want to continue to work with organisations like Rainbow Wellington and affirm the work that you do. OK, Jan, Um it's really lovely to be here. [00:20:30] Um the So I want to speak a bit tonight about the work that we've done in this parliament that this parliament, um I initiated a cross party working group on LGBT Q I rights and which I co-chair with Paul Foster Bell from the National Party and Louisa Wall from Labour and involves members where it initially involve members from every single party. But New Zealand first has been a little bit tentative, so we're not quite sure where they stand on it, But [00:21:00] this It's been one of the hardest working committees in Parliament. Actually, we wrote to all of the ministers asking them what they were doing to progress LGBT Q i rights and that had been raised by our communities and and sent to the United Nations. So that was around issues of health care issues around identity, documents, safety, safety in prison, safety in our school system and inclusiveness. And so then some of the answers we got [00:21:30] back were kind of disappointing and we wrote back and engaged again. And we worked with, um, David Seymour from the act party, um, to lobby, um, the then minister of Education to get some progress on our schools so that they have now committed to, um, a review of the sexuality guidelines in practise in our schools, and that's dealing with consent. But it's also dealing with the inclusivity of the sex education [00:22:00] in schools. And they've committed to er reviewing safety of our schools for trans students, which is really long overdue. I think it needed and should be wider than just trans students because we know that the rates of bullying for LGBT Q i students, it's severe and the impact is long lasting. But it is a start, and we managed to host all sorts of really wonderful events and had members from the community come in and [00:22:30] educate us on issues so that we could go back into our caucuses and lobby for change. And so that's I feel has been real progress for Parliament, and the Greens also separately been very proud to be able to be your representatives to receive your petition. So we've received the petition from Tommy Hamilton and others around access to health health care for trans people in New Zealand. [00:23:00] Um, that Parliament considered sadly, the greens and labour put in a minority view on the report of that, um, consideration because it really wasn't good enough. The government somehow just won't go there when we had nine DH BS tell us that they provide no health care services, we're not just talking surgery, no health care services to trans people. We have a real problem, and just a review is not good enough. [00:23:30] We were also pleased to receive the petition from around the expungement of homosexual convictions that is now wonderfully resulted in the introduction of legislation and most recently, the petition from Alison Hamlet and others around enabling people. And we've made a recommendation that people should be able to change their gender identity markers on their birth certificate on basis of self identification, that our gender identity should not be [00:24:00] up to the decision of a court or a health professional that that is really nothing really more personal than that. And so we look forward to being in a government to be able to keep this relationship going to be able to ensure that we properly fund all of our organisations around the country to be able to do the policy work and the linking and make sure that all government services from work and income from housing to older [00:24:30] New Zealanders to social development, all of them actually properly consider what our needs are and put the policy and funding in place to meet them. Everyone. It's a great honour to be here and I'd like to thank the organisers for for having me. Um, I think, uh, speaking from the migrant Refugee Rights campaign, the conversation that I want to contribute [00:25:00] to is how, um there's an intersection between the oppression that migrants and refugees face and the oppression that the queer community faces. And, um, I think it's important to note in the spirit of that conversation that there is an international trend. We see it here with migrants and refugees being blamed for pretty much any social and economic problem. But there is an international trend of migrants and refugees [00:25:30] being blamed for homophobia. OK, and I just want to read a quick quote from Judith Butler. We all have noticed this is when she refused a prize from Berlin Pride. We all have noticed that gay, bisexual, lesbian, trans and queer people can be instrumental by those who want to wage wars, IE culture wars against migrants by means of forced Islamophobia and military wars [00:26:00] against Iraq and Afghanistan. In these times, and by these means we we are recruited for nationalism and militarism. Currently, many European governments claim that our gay, lesbian and queer rights must be protected and that we are made to believe that the new hatred of immigrants is necessary to protect us. Therefore, we can say no to such a deal. To be able to say no under these circumstances is what I call courage. [00:26:30] But who says no and who experiences this racism, who are the queers who really fight against such politics. And she goes on to list a number of organisations that have hero heroically fought against such politics. And in New Zealand, I am thinking of, uh, movements such as no pride in prisons who have been working, who have been working closely with the disproportionately large number of Maori, um trans and queer uh, inmates, um, and who have now become a broader prison [00:27:00] abolition movement So, um, I'd like to recognise their work. And I'd also like to recognise the work of Shakti. Um uh though they are not a specifically queer or they are currently as you as you know, struggling for funding under the national government. And it is wrong and shameful that they are being denied that funding and being told that the needs of migrant refugee women and queer people can be catered to by the existing [00:27:30] women's refuges and other refuges that exist. Um, look, of course, migrants and refugees among them. There will be quob people, but also there are queer and trans migrants and refugees. And I want to start a conversation about, um, you know, how can we help these people who face the double the double burden, the double edged sword of queer and racism. So, um, what we call for is that queer queer organisations [00:28:00] be given full funding and because in a in a system of inequality in a system of inequality, migrants, refugees, people of colour and queer people are all in the same lot. We're all over represented among the homeless. We are all over represented by among the those who suffer from poor health. And this is a system of inequality. So I want to call on all of us. We're all allies to smash the system of exploitation, inequality, [00:28:30] racism, homophobia, sexism, et cetera, et cetera. Cool. Um, thank you to Saint Andrews and Rainbow Wellington for hosting this evening. And, uh, warm Wellington. Welcome to, uh, the lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, transsexuals, [00:29:00] intersexual, asexuals, pansexual, queer and straight people here this evening. Um, I'm Patty. Patty Plunkett. I'm the opportunities party candidate for the electorate in this election, um, announced today. So, um, yeah, uh, the, um yeah, I just like to to, um, talk to gay and to say that the Opportunities Party is committed to quadrupling the refugee [00:29:30] quota, Um, for New Zealand. So that people, um, who are suffering elsewhere in the world can come here and be safe, including people who are persecuted for their sexuality. Um, and we know there are many of those in the world. Um, so the the Opportunities Party is committed to equality for Maori, for women, and for queer people. Um, we're all included and and I'd like to read the, um, the Universal [00:30:00] Declaration of Human Rights article 25. Which, um, you know, I'm I'm I'm blown away by how much commonality there is. Um, amongst the people who are speaking here tonight, I think we all want this right. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of themselves and their family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services and the right to security in the event of unemployment sickness, disability, [00:30:30] widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood and circumstances beyond their control. And this impacts everybody. Right? Um, and it particularly impacts on people who are marginalised, um, or stigmatised or discriminated against. Um, And although we have, um, more rights and getting towards equal rights under the law, um, I'm really aware that, um, that queer people face, [00:31:00] um, family rejection, social and employment discrimination and increased fear of violence. Um, and suffer from the stresses that living with that cause, um, so tops commitment. Very strong commitment to housing. Um, and, uh, housing is, and a reasonable standard [00:31:30] of living for for all of us, will will really make a difference there. And we we're talking about, um, not taking a $20 tax cut. But actually taxing all the homes that we have here, including the family home, significantly change the structure of our economy so that we can actually have homes for everybody, not just houses for 50% of the population and increasing renters rights. [00:32:00] Um, and that's going to put us all in a more secure position where we can contribute more fully to our communities to our families and and participate in society, you know, and and we know that discrimination, discrimination and marginalisation also lead to mental health issues and increased addictions in our communities, and top is committed to increasing the spending significantly [00:32:30] massively in those areas. $450 million worth of new spending, which is over three times what the Labour Party have committed to spending on mental health services in this election and some of the other. The other things that they're committed to are, um, you know, ending the dehumanising welfare system, Um, by phasing in, um, a universal basic income, including starting off with unconditional basic income for 18 to 23 year olds, reducing our prison numbers by 40% and reducing [00:33:00] reliance on the carbon economy by 2050. Thank you. OK, just two more speakers to go. So get your questions ready. So we now have Damien light. Thank you. Um Good evening, everybody. Uh, yeah. My name is Damien Light. I'm a party president. Um, for United Future. Um, I'm I'm a candidate for botany, Um, which is up in Auckland. But I've flown down here and talked to you guys today, Um, partly because, [00:33:30] um, I'm a spokesman for diversity, Um, as well. So, um, I wanted to come down. We had some of the other candidates wanted to come, but I really wanted to come and speak. Um, before I kick off, I just want to acknowledge, um, Wellington, um, for for hosting this event for having us here tonight. Um, also for, um, for the work that the MP S have done so far. Um, just in the last couple of years, um, to improve, um, situations in New Zealand. Um, but also, I see our candidates here as well, and obviously you guys for coming along, um, here. And finally I want to acknowledge my, um my boyfriend who's in the audience, um, [00:34:00] for, um for coming along, putting up with me, Um, and supporting me. I wouldn't be able to do this election without him. He's, um he puts up with a lot, um, including having with billboards and things as well. So he's he's quite good. He's a keeper, That one. Um, so I, I guess I can't really talk tonight without addressing sort of the elephant in the room. Um, obviously, yesterday, um, Peter Dunn, Who's our party leader? Um, one of the longest serving MP S, Um, in New Zealand. Parliament, um, indicated that he's not going to be seeking reelection, so he's retiring. Um, huge loss for us. It's a real shame. Um, Peter is [00:34:30] the reason I got involved in politics. Um, I. I wanted to, um, to get on board with the party that believed, um, in helping people. Um, and one of my, um, things that I love about Peter is Peter is one of the last, uh, MP S in parliament. Currently, um, who voted for, um, the homosexual, um, reform act and back in 19, all back in 1986. Um, and I'm he's proud of that, and I was just catching up with him. Paul's meeting and He's, um, proud of that. And he's He's pleased he voted for it. Um, it was a looking [00:35:00] back on it. Now, you think, um, it was It was a really close vote, and he was proud for it. Um, there's a couple of other MP S left in parliament, Um, who will be continuing through who also voted for it. Um, and one who voted against it. So, um, it's worth doing your research. Um, they're not here tonight. They ask a few questions. Um, So what am I here to talk about? So you don't know future? Who are we? Um, we're we're a small party. Obviously, Um, we've worked with National. We work with labour. Um, we think, um, the government has a role to create an environment where everybody has the opportunity to thrive, [00:35:30] no matter who they are or where they've come from. And we want New Zealand to be the best place to live, to work and to raise a family. And I use the word family, and I'm not ashamed to use the word family. It's not a narrow definition of the word family. It's the broadest sense. Um, people who they are who they who they identify as themselves. Raising Children, um, in a loving environment. So, um, we have we think families are really important to us. Um, but we're not. We're not narrow minded about it. Um, I had the pleasure this year, Um, a few weeks ago of launching our diversity [00:36:00] policy, uh, policy, um, which has got lots of good stuff in it. I won't go through all of it. I'll just talk about a couple of key points. Um, there's sort of four areas. One of them is as young people. Um, an open personal experience growing up being young. Being different is quite a challenge when you realise that you're different to everybody else around you. So we want to see more funding for schools to make sure they've got support groups. Um, but also that we're training our training, our teachers and our counsellors and our youth, um, community groups as well to understand, um, [00:36:30] the different challenges that people in in our community face so that they can, um, be respectful and and responsive. Um, so particularly around suicide support as well, which were overrepresented, which is a which is terrible. Um, health care and wellness. Um, absolutely. Making sure that our our DH BS and all our health providers have the funding plans, but also practical applications They're actually putting in place. Um, better health care for people. Um, particularly trends, but not not exclusively. Um, 15 seconds. [00:37:00] Oh, hang on time. Um, funding, uh, New Zealand aids to get, um, to end AIDS. We can do it. Um, reviewing the blood donations. Um, also got some stuff on gender diversity. Sorry, Um, including identification papers as you see fit. Um, and also justice and fairness, making sure our justice system is fair. Thank you. Iona. Damien. And finally, Stephen. A colleague told me that before, Um, he said it's easier to come [00:37:30] out as gay in the act party than it is to come out as an act supporter with his gay friends. So it tells you how far we've come. But while we're now mostly equal before the law, there are some challenges our community faces out of proportion to our numbers. Uh, mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are ones that I myself am only too familiar with. And that's why I'm so passionate about trying to help other people too. And while I'll be announcing a mental health policy in world record time, government expenditure [00:38:00] on health per head of population is at its highest level. It has ever been in 2017 and that's been the trend since 2009. Our number of practising physi physicians at three per 1000 is the highest level ever, and the number of psychiatric beds available is double 2009 levels. Despite the surveys by the Ministry of Health show that patient satisfaction is at its lowest level since 2006. So we don't have a problem with resources. What we have a problem with is structure. New [00:38:30] Zealand's health system is bureaucratically top heavy, with 20 DH BS governed by 11 members, seven of which are elected every three years. Their books are a mess with a collective deficit of $90 million. We need to restructure this model to make it more efficient use of taxpayer resources. Replacing the 20 DH BS with five Health administration territories and their boards will be professionals wholly appointed by the Ministry of Health. 70% of people who commit suicide have [00:39:00] no prior contact with mental health providers. So this shows that the greatest gains our government can make is through awareness campaigns to make people aware of services available and that can be done with with individuals sharing their personal stories. Finally, new innovations need to be made in developing existing mental health sector to make better use of the resources allocated and eliminate waiting lists for treatment, the [00:39:30] ACT Party will set up a $30 million trial fund to be divided amongst the mental health departments of the five HATS. That's the Health Administration territories and they will identify and liaise with various non-government organisations in the area. Now I knew that would happen with three pieces of paper. Now those non-government organisations could be charities. They could be char uh community groups or they could be private health enterprises. [00:40:00] Patients will be provided with the opportunity to commence their treatment via these non-government organisations as an alternative to waiting on the public health list and the cost of going through those NGO S will be fully funded by the government. Continual part participation by these NGO S will depend on the arrangements that they've made and targets that have been set if they meet those targets and get our mental mental health waiting lists down, they'll continue with us. If they don't, [00:40:30] they won't. Um I think that this will be a bit more innovative than just throwing more money at it, as we've been doing for the last 2030 years. And I think if we want a different result, it's time we tried a different approach. Thank you very much, Kilda. Stephen. OK, we'll now open it up to the floor for questions. So there are a few rules around our questions. Obviously, we're going to run out of time, so please don't have [00:41:00] your own speech. Just ask your question. If you have a particular party you would like to direct your question to, then just let us us know and stand up. Use the mic that's going to be floating around the floor. Jim, our fellow rainbow Wellington board member, has a microphone. Um, Richard, also, do you want to get amongst the floor? We can have a couple of people flying around. OK, um, hands up. Who has a question? Uh what, uh what will you do? Uh, this is all the candidates. Uh, what will you do to address, [00:41:30] uh, queer and trans homelessness in particular among youth. OK, who would like to answer that question? We'll just fit a couple of you in homelessness. I think that's, um you know why I'm standing here today for the top party. I mean, it's it's it's a real issue. We all need homes. And at the moment, we've got enough bedrooms in New Zealand for everybody, but we don't have everybody in them. Um so the the approach to tax assets, um, [00:42:00] and reduce the tax on income that will make 80% of us better off financially will also reduce the amount of investment that been made and houses. It will take the heat out of the housing market, and houses will become more affordable. At the same time, the Opportunities Party has got a renters. Was there anyone else who wanted to answer? Jan. Let's get to you. Um, so we've got a comprehensive response to housing [00:42:30] and addressing homelessness and improving renters rights as well. I would also say that I do think that there needs to be a queer, specific, specific response for emergency housing, Um, in particular. But I was I was lucky to be part of big sleep out in Auckland and raising funding for a specific trial for, um, a queer lead community development response to homelessness in the community up there. And we need to be spreading that around the country. The needs are specific [00:43:00] and that the generic response won't work. Thanks, Dan Grant. Sure. Yeah. So, um yeah, homelessness, I think, is the biggest sort of indicator that there's a serious systemic problem with inequality. Um, and the inequality between the wealthy and the the poorest. Um, And I think there's a huge advertisement for nationals, uh, policy on social housing, which is the Gordon Wilson Flats, which the Environment Court [00:43:30] has recently found should be declared a national, um uh, protected monument because one of two examples of housing blocks that have been built by the national party. So Grant Yeah, they'd have to come from the forties or fifties if they were. Um, I just really want to back What? What? Essentially what? Jan, um, has said but one and say that the critical thing here is actually so and fixing the overall housing crisis. And I want to make two points one you don't sell [00:44:00] state houses in the middle of a housing crisis. You build state houses, and that's what we've got to be doing. The second point is to pick up Jan's point on the fact that we actually need Queer Pacific strategies to address homelessness. I've been working with a group of 16 to 18 year olds in Wellington who are homeless, who actually cannot get access to housing New Zealand because they're under 18 and they can't sign a lease. We actually do need to work on, um, Collective Solutions, Wellington City Housing, New Zealand To address that [00:44:30] one more. OK, we'll go to Stephen. The Act party released its policy two weeks ago. Um, it's quite simple to get the housing market working like it should, uh, we would abolish the metropolitan Urban Limit around Auckland, and that would open up room for 600,000 new homes in Auckland. Uh, simple economics. If you restrict supply to housing, the price goes up. So we need to get [00:45:00] rid of the limits on housing so that the market can meet the demand. And finally, Nicola, um uh, just first to say that you do take down houses when they're full of mould. They're not insulated, and they're not warm and dry places for people to live, and then you build better ones. And that's what we're doing. And we've committed to building 2000 a year in Labour are only committed to building 1000 a year, so that's an interesting contrast. But anyway, in terms of your question, which is about homelessness, we are committed to the housing first approach, which says, [00:45:30] Put a roof over someone's head and then wrap the services around them in order to keep them in that tenancy. And that would apply, uh, to the Trans and queer community as well. Uh, just a note. Um, try and keep your questions directed to three or four parties and we'll try and keep the answers, um, limited about 30 seconds or a minute, because we will run out of time. So, Jim, my question is, to the top candidate, um, Gareth Morgan has been quoted as [00:46:00] saying, Oh, well, I've heard the top party describe to me as the Green Party without the identity politics, and I thought that that was pretty accurate. Um, I've heard Gareth Morgan mention his disdain for the identity politics personally, Um, both in his visit to Vic and in his most recent live video from GSB. Um, Rainbow is identity politics. That's what we are. Uh, he also used the word he used the word pansies as a gay slur in the video from Gisborne. So [00:46:30] I just I I don't see how you actually had any queer policy to address here, So I'm just wondering how you expect us to stand up for your right that he used the word pansies and the video from as a slur to refer to gay people he didn't use it to refer to, but he had a specific question for a specific answer. OK, just getting getting the detail on that I. I Yeah, how annoying for him to say [00:47:00] such such things, You know that I'm annoyed, too. And, um, yeah, at the moment, I'm getting used to, um, to standing here as a politician. There are There are things that that I care about and that I'm going to put my energy and concern into, and that's addressing, um, lack of housing for so many people here. Um, the fact that climate change is hitting us like a tonne of bricks and and that we all need to be, um, fighting that and taking action [00:47:30] on it and not worrying about what, Gareth? Ok, Jim, we've got a few questions down here. My particular question is highly specific. It's to the conservative and also the Social Credit Party. Could you please tell us if you have a GL BT IQ, uh, policy and if so, just briefly what it is? And is that policy published on your website? Thank you. I'll beat [00:48:00] the time limit. No, we don't have. And no, I don't think it is on the website. Um, we you know, I wish that I could say we had a specific, um, policy, but, um, I think that our party can really say that, uh, we have such a central focus on human rights. Um, is is so fundamental, you know, we want it to be part basically constitutional so that it's above the level of political football. Um [00:48:30] uh, just in just in relation to housing. If I can slip that in now, we we have the old Labour Party from the first Labour Party, uh, policy from 1935 where they use reserve bank credit, uh, for housing so that we're gonna go to the left hand side of the room. Hands up. Yes. Hello. Um, I just wanted to ask a question, um, to Gael and Jan. But if anyone else wants to answer, they're also welcome. Um, it was just about, um, from someone who has been a beneficiary. [00:49:00] Um, over the last term. Um, I've got a lot of concerns about beneficiary rights and particularly the, um, obviously IANS. Already an already talked about the, um, homeless problem. But I also see a correlation between the homelessness and the tightening of beneficiary rights and access to welfare. And I want to know what's going to be done to tackle how that particularly affects trends in queer people in our communities. Thank you. [00:49:30] Yeah, It's, uh it's disgusting the way beneficiaries are treated like criminals, you know, because there was there was a time there was a time when there was no no unemployment in New Zealand. Right. And you know, this whole idea that beneficiaries are not working because they're lazy? What happened in the 19 eighties to make everyone lazy? Yeah. Yeah, What he said, um, like, [00:50:00] yeah, but This is a big focus for us in this election. We've put it all on the line to try and change the culture of work and income. That is dehumanising and stigmatising. The Human Rights Commission did a survey a couple of years ago looking at discrimination New Zealand, the most discriminated against group in the country where people receiving benefits and we've got to change it. We've got to end the financial sanctions and the cruelty of that system [00:50:30] and check out hashtag we are beneficiaries that Sam Orchard from Auckland is doing Yeah, Jim. Thank you, sir. Hello. Good evening. My name is Ni I am from, uh, Ethiopia Community Chairman and I'm a former refugee. So through my 12 years being in New Zealand, [00:51:00] I enjoy it. It's my country. I love everybody. It is great. But one thing I really upset, really disappointed. There was around 3 million refugees from Africa suffering in the different places. Most of them indeed in the ocean anyway, So before I go there, I have a question for [00:51:30] National Party. I spoke on the front Immigration Minister and we've been discriminated. The refugee quota, the refugee from Africa, the door was closed a long time ago. But yes, there is a lot of people from Middle East other countries appreciate Great. Why? Why not from Africa, [00:52:00] are we because of the colour or we are not good people. We are naughty. We are contributing everything. What we can through everything. So as a community leader, I've been through they We are the hard worker people, which we came from the very hard life and appreciate We make things. Most of the refugee people who came and the family are there. They are [00:52:30] the bone for the economy. Doing what? Most of our kiwi people, they don't do it cleaning the first thing they will say. I wanna get a job cleaning. They say yes. OK. Why is the why is we've been discriminated. I'm asking National party. I don't know. And then what is for the other parties? How we work together. Thank you. [00:53:00] Thank you for your question. First, can I just say welcome? Thank you for coming to New Zealand. It's great to have you here. And, um absolutely. We in the National Party appreciate the contribution of the African community to New Zealand. We welcome you here Um, and in terms of the refugee policy, um, I am not aware of any discriminatory policy, uh, within our refugee approach, which would preclude people from Africa coming here. And if there were such a, [00:53:30] um, inclusion in the policy, that would be, um, wrong. So I welcome you. I affirm you in the contribution that your community makes to New Zealand. Yeah, Yes, there are. There is discrimination against refugees from Africa and the Middle East. No, outside of the emergency quota for the Syrian refugee crisis. There is a policy that restricts refugees to people only having existing family members. So I thought [00:54:00] long and hard as to why, when there is one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our of our time, why there is this strange policy targeting Africans and Middle Eastern refugees, and I've come to the conclusion that it is inexplicably racist. So yeah, that's probably the answer to your question. OK, anything like that, we're gonna go to the left. Down here is, um my question is to labour and the green candidates. So, obviously both your parties have comprehensive rainbow [00:54:30] policies, which is really good. If New Zealand votes to change the government this year. Which one of those policies would you most want to make happen in government? What? Well, you go first because I've got so many good ones. I want to think about it. I I'm gonna use one of those politician answers and and say that it's getting the strategy and the cross government approach so that we get change in health care. We get change in work and income, we get [00:55:00] change in housing and we get it right across the board for everyone. Because actually, we've waited too long, actually, Um and and it is, really it's like choosing your favourite child. You know, you don't want to do that. Uh uh. So all all of the policies, um, fit together as part of an agenda for fairness and equality. But if I really have to pick one thing out, I feel like from the last Labour government, we've got real unfinished business and our support of the transgender [00:55:30] community, both in terms of the rights issue and the health care issue. And I feel a personal, uh, burden to do something about that. OK, questions. Hi. Sorry. I don't know if you guys are aware, Uh, this is for Labour, the conservatives and national. If you guys are aware of Karl Popper's paradox of intolerance, where if you have a tolerant society who supports intolerance, you end up having intolerant people who take over, [00:56:00] Um, in light of an event such as we recently had in Charlottesville, should we start cracking down on people who are gonna start being intolerant of the LGBT Q I community in New Zealand? Who would like to take that first? Um, it's well, since I read K Popper, but, uh, yeah, look, I I've got quite a strong view about the fact that we don't have strong enough laws on hate speech in New Zealand, and I do think we need to do more on that. But I've got a really specific point I want to make about tolerance. I'm absolutely [00:56:30] sick to death of the word tolerance in relation to our community. Uh, I want us to focus. I want us to focus on acceptance and embracing diversity and then celebrating diversity right across our country because that will make us the best possible country. So let's ditch the tolerance and take the journey to acceptance celebration OK, thank you very much. I think it for everybody in [00:57:00] New Zealand. We should all be aware of the fact that we are all immigrants from somewhere or the descendants of immigrants from somewhere, and everybody should be treated equally, given a fair go. I think that's what the the Kiwi dream is that everybody in this country gets a fair shake regardless of what they are, who they are or any any particular group they attach to. And that's that's my view. That's the view of the conservative Party. Well, I'll have to see you afterwards so I can [00:57:30] add that to my postelection reading list. Um, because I haven't, um, been familiar with it in the past. But look, uh, the way I the way I see it, is that as politicians, we have an obligation as public figures to call out hate speech when we see it or to call out bad behaviour when we see it. Um, because we as leaders in the community, um, can have an impact that way. Um, I do have respect for the notion of free speech. Um, but where that starts going downhill into being violent speech, Um, [00:58:00] then you know, we make we must use the law to come down on those things. Thank you. Um, in a free country, freedom of speech is probably about the most important value we have. And so that's why we cannot have laws banning hate speech. Uh, people like Brian Tamaki, he's a scumbag piece of shit, but he has the right to express his shitty views. And we also have the right to call him out on how shitty those views are. That's what freedom is about. [00:58:30] Thank you for your question. This is a question for act specifically. Um what about people with free speech? Who, um, are told to go kill themselves or, you know, um, yeah, if trans people in particular, if people tell you to jump off a bridge, do you do it? No, of course not. It it is disgusting speech. It is disgusting speech, [00:59:00] but that is part of living in a free country. And that is why you have the freedom to tell these people how disgusting they are. OK, Now, um, thank you. I don't really, uh I I I'm a socialist, so I don't read. Um, but II I went through a phase. I went through a phase, but, um, no, no, I Well, look, anyway, talk about that later. Look, um Hey, look, Fascists. People Who did you know that committed [00:59:30] the crime at Charlottesville? They're not. They don't play by the rules of speech. You know, um, the idea is you have a marketplace of ideas, you know, and like, you change your mind if you're proven wrong. But they are thugs. They are thugs who who who suppress people, oppress people. Right? So there's no reason with them Hate speech legislation is not the worst thing. So my my question is addressed to the [01:00:00] empty chair. Why is the the Maori Party not represented? Why is Maori not mentioned nor the discussed at all? Uh, the Maori party were invited. Um, unfortunately, they had no candidate who was available. Likewise, New Zealand first were invited, uh, initially said that they could come, but they were unable in the final event. [01:00:30] Um, in terms of the cross party group within parliament, and actually, I've found them constructive. Um, I've got a question for Mr Lynch. Um, you have come and talked about tax policy and about the importance of um, a mother and father [01:01:00] in a family. Did you understand what this forum was when you were going to come here? Yes. Yes, I did. And I'd like to thank you all for not throwing fruit at me. I realised when I came here tonight that my views may not go down exactly with everybody else. But the one question I'd like to and I'm just saying that they are talking about optimum not only family arrangement, but I'd like to [01:01:30] people here if they'd like to put up their hand Anybody who is not the product of a father's sperm and a mother's egg. OK, there was a question down here. Um, I would follow up, Christian, but I don't want to give them any more air time, to be honest. Um, So, um, my question is to, um Nicola Willis. [01:02:00] Um, basically, uh, over the last nine years, real in real terms, funding for health has decreased around between 1.7 and $2.3 billion. Um, those figures are kind of thrown around, but they're pretty much agreed on that there's been a decrease in real term funding. Um, at the moment, because there are? No, Um, there's currently no, um, surgeons in New Zealand that can do gender reassignment surgery. Why, over the last nine years, has funding decreased for, um, DH BS in real terms? And why, after nine [01:02:30] years, is there no one that can do gender reassignment surgery? So can I just first say that those figures aren't broadly agreed on? Uh, they're a subject of a lot of debate in this election campaign. I want to acknowledge that in real terms, our health budget has gone from about 6% of GDP in the, um nine years ago to about 6.5% of GDP. Now it has increased from 11.9 billion to 16.7 billion. [01:03:00] And when you look at that on a per capita basis, it amounts to an increase. So you can argue that there have been cuts, but it is very hard for me to understand how the number 16.7 is less than 11.9. What that has meant is that DH BS around the country have had more funding. But to your specific question, which is on the issue of surgeons to carry out trans surgery, I did look into that issue as I was preparing for this forum. And I understand that that's about, um, how much surgery is carried out and the need for them to continue to be doing that regularly. Um, [01:03:30] and it's something I would like to look into further. Yeah, um, I just II I stand to be corrected on this if I'm wrong, but I understand that the waiting list could be cleared for as little as $5 million by using, um, overseas. But in Australia, where they've got access to it. So the $5 million in the scheme of things is pittance. I mean, we throw $26 million at a flag referendum we can't find, you know, $5 billion for surgery. It's It's just it is insane. So we can do it. Um, I think the honest answer is it's a question of priorities. [01:04:00] Um, and I don't think this government sees it as a priority, which is a real deep concern. Um, and it it it goes to the health care across the board. They've cut funding. Um, they're trying to save costs. I understand that, um, but I think health care is something we cannot afford to be cheap on. Thank you. True. I This is something that I feel quite strongly about because some of my very close friends, um, have have gone through this process. Um, I just think it's really bizarre that, you know, gender reassignment is still so medicalized. You have to be diagnosed [01:04:30] with a mental illness, you know, to to be able to to have it, you know? I mean, it's it's it's bizarre. I think we just need to change the way that, um, you know, Trans people are are viewed, you know it. It's a fundamental problem and they Yeah, it's it's disgusting and it's it's bizarre to me. I think there's a lot of work that needs to be done. We do need to de pathologize um, being Trans. We also, [01:05:00] um, need to ensure that there's a nationwide strategy for health care and that its ability to get surgery as well as Endo, um, easily accessible right across the country. And if it means clearing the backlog of people waiting who have been told it's going to be their entire life before, they'd get the surgery here in New Zealand by going overseas. That's probably what we need to do. But we need to actually train and build up the capacity for people to be able to have the aftercare service in this country, which is not [01:05:30] a reality when people have to travel overseas. So because of the quick bell, everything that Jan just said is correct. But I do want to take up the point about the overall funding of health care because it is simply not true to say that our health budget has kept up with inflation and our growing population. It just hasn't. The work we did was done by info metrics. It says that it's $2.3 billion and everything you see [01:06:00] in the health care system today. You must see it through that lens. Yes, it's about priorities. But it's also about actually saying we're gonna prioritise funding for health. Yeah, yeah. I was just about to hand this, uh, microphone to someone to ask a question, but there's a dearth of questions coming from the back of the room. So if anybody wants to get brave in a minute and they have a question, um, it'll be great. Hello? Just, um, a question specifically about biphobia in [01:06:30] the Rainbow community. Bisexuals have particularly high mental health issues, and bisexual women experience, um, sexual violence at a much higher rate than homosexual and straight women. So I'm wondering if anyone has any specific policies to deal with biphobia both within the Rainbow community and beyond. Who would like to take that Jan again? For me, that comes back to developing our own services and making sure that the mainstream services are accessible for everyone but that actually, we start [01:07:00] funding and resourcing the development of buy social services that include mental health care that is specific. So you don't have to worry about whether this person is gonna understand you or whether they're going to be perpetuating the prejudice that you've been experiencing around you. And we need to go back into the schools in terms of that elimination of discrimination that's happening in that really early stage. Did anyone else want to take the question just just [01:07:30] really briefly? It is about the creation of those policies and you know, Jen made the point earlier about the number of district health boards who had no policies whatsoever when it came to the support and health care of trans. Uh uh, People the same applies right across our communities. Uh, and we'll only get that if we actually say that, that is what we want the district health to do, or we want other services to do. And, you know, the lobbying and advocacy of people in this community has made a really big difference in that regard. But it does come down to [01:08:00] those government agencies understanding that it is their job to provide fair and equitable services for everybody. Sorry. Um, I just want to add I agree with what's been said, but I just wanted to add, I guess I think the schools is a big, important part of it. We need to get, um, a proper support to our schools so that at a young age, that's being understood. Um, and I But I also agree with what Grant said is that I think government has to take a role in that, Um, I think attitudes are slowly changing. Um, but, um, [01:08:30] tolerance isn't enough. It needs to be inclusive. Um, an understanding of it, um, people talking about it is really important. So people understand that Hey, this is not unusual. Um, and, um, but I think the government taking a lead and make it really clear that that kind of behaviour is not acceptable is absolutely critical for it. Thanks. Uh, Jim. And then we'll go down here. Um, I would like to hear from any candidate willing to to state clearly [01:09:00] how they believe the they should honour the Treaty of Waitangi. In terms of further legislation. I believe the track record to date is somewhat appalling. And I I'm interested to hear, um what everyone's attitude is going forward. OK, I'll get this. I think one of the, um, important things to to the top party is to to properly [01:09:30] honour the treaty and to understand what that means to understand that it's, um, about, um, ownership of resources and the use of those resources. Um, and and that's really important that the um, Gareth Morgan did announce on the weekend that a non-negotiable for top is to maintain Maori seats and, um suggested that it should be people with specific Maori interests that are, uh, um within those seats, [01:10:00] um, so that they can be represented fully without interference from other other interests. Um good. Good question. Um, look, uh, the Treaty of Waitangi guaranteed sovereignty to the indigenous people and that has not been honoured in any meaningful sense. When you look at the fact that 60% of the female prison population, 50% of the male prison population are Maori, there is a system of disenfranchising [01:10:30] and stripping Maori of their of their sovereignty and their manner. So, yes, we call for and we also call for open borders with the Pacific because we believe that the immigration policy should be based on Thank you for the question. Um, for the greens is one of our foundation principles is honouring or wait. And it's, you know, acknowledgement of that enables us to be here in in this [01:11:00] country. Um and so we announced just recently a policy that we would, um, for us. None of the settlements have been full and final, and so that we are open for those to be renegotiated and I, I would say for I don't think we get much of an idea around this. I said in on some of the hearings on this, and I was appalled as this naive to find out that the crown sees what language is able to be used in the retelling [01:11:30] of the history. It's another act of political power and displacement of Maori, and it needs to be undone. OK, The act the Act Party fully supports the Treaty of Waitangi. It established three things, uh, British sovereignty, the rights of British subjects for Maori and protection of private property rights for Maori. And, uh, we oppose the foreshore and sea foreshore and seabed leg, leg foreshore [01:12:00] and seabed legislation. We oppose that because we think there was a disgusting abuse of property rights and the right to go to court and will also point out we have voted for more Treaty of Waitangi settlements than the Green Party. Thank you. OK, we had a question down the back. Yes. Um so education is something that I guess has come up for a lot of people. And I'd just like to know a little bit more about, um for those parties who have education policies, what that might look like because [01:12:30] teachers are already so stressed and national particularly for you. If classroom sizes increase any more. I'm concerned about how teachers might view added restrictions and education around, uh, the rainbow community. If that would just become more onerous for them and actually be counterproductive. OK, we'll go to Nicola first. Um so the the first thing is to recognise that the New Zealand curriculum requires [01:13:00] schools to ensure that Children are included and that they are do not have their rights abused in any way and that they're accepted, Um, in all of their diversity. The the second thing is that we have had, um, sexual health guidelines that were updated in 2015 about the way that sexuality is taught in schools and that there are some updated and clearer guidelines about making sure that people of all sexualities and genders are made to feel included in that teaching. Um, there has been a lot of discussion about whether more, um, whether [01:13:30] more should be done with the guidelines that are available to schools. And we have been listening to that. Um, but I, I really hear your point, which is we have to be really careful before we give another dictate to a school about what they do. Um, allowing schools to do what's right in their communities is an important principle of the New Zealand education system grant. So on the bit of paper that we handed out, you'll see some of the specific things that we want to do. But I want to answer your question, which is about the burden that's placed [01:14:00] on teachers. And I've got a couple of really specific things that will help free up some time, uh, abolishing national standards and actually, uh, supporting teachers to be the best teachers that they can possibly be through. Um, a big investment in professional development programmes, some of which will include the ability to actually be able to implement the sexuality, education guidelines and support to be able to provide that really inclusive environment. So [01:14:30] that but also, um, there's an example where, um, I want to talk about where Utopia in Christchurch and this is happening in some other places. So that's a queer based community organisation. They've gone into schools. They audit the school in terms of the safety of the spaces. They sit in on classes and audit them and provide the teachers with the feed back so that they can do it in an inclusive way. They look at the policies they talk and educate the teachers. And it's not just about changing the curricula or doing adding extra [01:15:00] things on. It's just about shifting what is being done so that it's inclusive and safe, and it can be done without being resource intensive. Uh, like the deputy leader of the Labour Party, I'm a big supporter of charter schools. Charter schools are working that. And, um, if we want to reduce class sizes, I think we need to reward teachers, uh, for for the work they do. And we need to pay the very best teachers much more money. Unfortunately, the PPT [01:15:30] A doesn't like that because it discriminates against the incapable teachers. But we believe in rewarding people for doing well. And that's how you'll improve education. Chris didn't get. I'm just thinking listening to the Tonight We're a very urban group of people, and I'm aware of how hard it is to grow up gay or queer in a country town or a provincial community. And I wonder if in where [01:16:00] some of these resources we're talking about just aren't available. What kind of policies have you got to reach out to all the other kids? And and for that matter. Adults take luck. Yeah, I just think that's such a great point. You know, we, um in this room are fairly like minded. And we should recognise that that is not always the case throughout New Zealand. And if we can expand the might of this room across [01:16:30] New Zealand, then more Children, uh, will grow up, uh, better in in this country. But in terms of your question, I I'm really impressed by the work that inside out has been doing. And one of the things they created was videos, um, which can be used for, um, discussing issues of sexuality and discussing rainbow Youth. Sorry, I'm sorry, but I, um, con conflated. I'd like to acknowledge your work and of course, those resources can be used anywhere in the country. And that is the value of technology and the value of organisations like Rainbow Youth coming up with resources that [01:17:00] can be used anywhere. Yeah, I mean, the point I was going to make I think it is a great point and I think we should never forget that For all the advances that we've made in New Zealand, there are still people who are are tonight. Really scared to be who they are, Um, all around the country. And so I think it's a really great point. Actually, when Nicholas said that we're a like minded room, I think there might be a bit of debate about that, but actually on this, But actually, on this point, I do want to say that actually, the key to [01:17:30] it is groups like schools out inside out, Rainbow youth being supported, uh, sufficiently to actually be in those communities. Nicky N has done some good things there, but we can build on that so that those, uh, young people, particularly growing up in rural New Zealand, see and meet people just like them and know that they can have a good life. OK, Questions. Yeah. Uh, hi there. Yeah. I just wanted to invite any of the candidates to come up and, um, discuss [01:18:00] any action plans that they had, um, around delivering, um, health care, especially mental health. Care to, um, the Takata community. Um, yeah. Cool. Thank you. Hands up. Yeah. Um, someone once said that, um, my, uh, campaign is just basically don't pick on migrants and socialism, so but look, I'll, um look what I what I think is, you know, absolutely. As I've said before, uh, we need to fund a community [01:18:30] organisations and, um, you know, we need we need more funding. And instead of shutting down funding for, you know, groups, like, for example, we need to increase funding. And I think we should tax the rich, tax them tax, their bones, tax their bones. Sure, John and I I it's kind of similar to the other answers, but I think we've got to resource to be able to develop [01:19:00] the strategy and give them the resources to be able to roll it out. There's, you know, the government has explicitly excluded and from groups from the mental health strategies in the past, and we've got to make sure that we're part of it, and we're driving it. There's a lot of knowledge and a lot of health giving, um, ways of being within those communities that we need to extend. Thank you. OK, [01:19:30] five minutes. If you've got a question. Get your hand up, Jim, down the front. Just want to talk about, um So obviously, earlier this year, um, Russia had a crisis with in Chechnya. Um, and I was I stood outside the Russian embassy with Jan, Um, and I know that Grant was also there. Um, but I just want to ask, in terms of in the government, Um, there was no we heard nothing from the national government in terms of a condemnation of the of the killings of of, um LGBT [01:20:00] QI a people in Chechnya. So I guess what is your human rights priorities? Because obviously here, you know, we we've got some great rights. We enjoy great rights. We've got progress. But around the world, it's a lot worse. So what would you do in in government to advance human rights for our community around the world? Who would like to take that question? As I said, I'm I'm not in government. I'm a candidate. And if I was in government, I would condemn that, uh, that [01:20:30] the actions in Chechnya as well, uh, and I think that in government, we have to, uh, where we see, um, where we see countries violating rights. Um, we have to speak out, but of course. Uh, we do that primarily through international organisations. Um yeah, and I think one of the things we've seen is if if a government doesn't come out strongly and condemn it, we all know that that they they either they don't care or they're they're effective to be endorsing it. And I think when New Zealand particularly we have some, we have some good rights in New Zealand. We're not there. We've still got a long way to [01:21:00] go. But, um, when we don't come out and condemn that loudly and clearly, when it happens, it's it's it's what? Frankly, it's embarrassing, I guess, is New Zealand. I kind of think Well, you know, we're actually standing up for this stuff. Are we only doing it in New Zealand because it gets us votes or or we actually believe in it. Um, but we need to be louder on this stuff, um, and and and people say, Oh, no, we don't want to risk our trade partnerships, But that's not If you can't talk to your trade partners and say Look, that's not acceptable, that's not acceptable. That's not acceptable. Then what are we doing out there? So we need to be responsible. We used to be a world leader in human rights, but we've let that slip and We need to, um, get back [01:21:30] to that. Um yeah, I. I think this is a test of whether or not we we really are affirming human rights. And I think it's actually really I'm really pleased you asked the question because, you know, there is an awful lot for us to do inside New Zealand. But where you are being killed for being who you are, Um, where you you know, we're a government. A state is sanctioning that we have to stand up. Which is why Jan and myself and other MP [01:22:00] S were up at the Russian Embassy. It's why we've talked to the Indonesians about Banda Aceh. It's why we continue to raise those issues in international for us. So it's it's in the written document. But it is actually, you know, I'm just making the point. There's a big policy here, but it is actually a really important thing. I hope that everyone goes away from here tonight, which is that we redouble our efforts to stand up for for our rainbow communities worldwide. Oh, yeah, absolutely. [01:22:30] Um, the the killings in the Russian Federation should be condemned. And, you know, the homophobic rise of homophobic conservatism in in that part of the world. Terrible. Um, let's welcome, uh, queer refugees from around the world. Um, yeah. We need to have a clear government statements around this. New Zealand actually traditionally has been really good in terms of promoting LGBT Q I rights through the United Nations. We have been one of the leaders around [01:23:00] that Lewis and I have been involved in international parliament S forums. There was security called because we tried to get a special topic on LGBTI rights. Um, and the Middle East and the African countries who want to kill us were, um, upset and the security were called, um and because it's got to happen, we do have the ability to use our voices here. And there are people in other countries who do not have that right, [01:23:30] without fear of death. As a responsibility for us to use the voice, we're gonna go online. We have a question online on the Internet. The Internet is talking to us. OK, so the question is it was a bit a little bit, uh, conversation before that. The LGBT rights and human rights are compassion, and it's about accepting other but and also [01:24:00] in the LGBT community. There is, uh, a more variety of people that believe in animal rights and veganism. What are the major parties? What is your opinion about veganism animal rights? Uh, in New Zealand, Who would like to take that question? I think the deathly silence means no one has vegan policies or animal rights policies. [01:24:30] So, um, sort of a hard thing to do without the Internet being in the room. Um, so So, yeah, we have, um we have a strong set of policies around, um, improvements for animal rights improvements for particularly farm animals in New Zealand as well. But, um, I just encourage people to go to our website to find that, um and I'm not a vegan. There was a, um There was a group, I think I. I think it's called animal action. Um, I can't remember the name, but they recently recently it was like a couple [01:25:00] of weeks ago, they did a report on all the parties. They spoke to all the parties about and they ranked them sort of top, you know, bad to worse. Bad to good. Sorry. Good to bad. Um, and there are good results. And I know some of the parties up here did quite well. Um well, the reason I'm talking about this because we did quite well, um, so, you know, Trump, But I can't remember the specifics, but, um, obviously, we need to do more for animals. Um, I know animal inspectors. More welfare. Um, there was a case recently with some, um, cows, town and south. Is there some horrible things? Um, and they got charged, like, a couple of 10 grand or something. It's just not enough. So, um yeah, there is [01:25:30] some information on the internet, but yeah, you know, it's really, really bad for animals. Uh, capitalism. It's really shit. Really shit for animals, you know, Because, like, uh, it is a system that promotes, uh, factory farming or waste of food and meat. It's a system that allows cows and, um, livestock to shit in the rivers. I don't know if I can say things like that, but, um, but yeah, OK, that's all I have to say. [01:26:00] Um, well, we like cats. I, uh But I also like a burger, so I've got to be honest about that. Um And look, there's been actually a lot of reform happening in the animal welfare space. Um, And during this parliament, the government has been working really closely with the agricultural sector in a number of areas, uh, to ensure that there are more humane practises on New Zealand farms. So, um, you can look at that legislation as a, um as a record of itself. [01:26:30] Mojo matters would kill me if I didn't stand up and say, um that we put a lot of work into animal rights. Um, and it's a very we've got a comprehensive policy in that space. She's been doing amazing work. Um, and like I, I actually get the link in terms of the question around veganism and compassion and that sense of our interconnectedness and responsibility to everyone. I'm not I'm not there yet and we don't have a policy on it, but But I understand where the question is coming from. [01:27:00] So you've got a question down here? I know that labour touches on on your policy already, but what specifically are any of you going to do to support queer parents trying to raise families? Um, my family, in particular I know has had horrific experiences with places like Plunkett. Um, any childcare providers and schools. So what specifically are you going to do to try and combat that? Um, absolutely. We we've [01:27:30] talked a lot about, like, more funding for groups and government need to fund things, and that's important. But I think one of the things the government is not good at doing is also making sure that the agencies in particular, uh, understand and are taking the lead on that. So we want to see more, um, specific policies, um, that are directing our government agencies in particular, um, to actually engage with and understand the responsibilities and how they can help and support. Um, because there's nothing worse than being a parent or something. And you're going along to a government organisation to get some help. Um, and then you just hit this wall of [01:28:00] I don't know who you are, what you're doing here. Um, so we need to do more, So funding is obviously part of it, But I think, um, education for particularly government agencies to get better and where they don't have the answers, they don't understand. We need to give them the resources and connect them with groups that can help them understand and learn. OK, one or two more questions answer that question. So, um, part the, uh, unconditional basic income, uh, that the Opportunities Party [01:28:30] will introduce, um, will go to parents of, um, of young Children to to people with young Children. Um, and that's irrespective of their orientation or any other demographic factors. So, um, it supports them. It it's It's an acknowledgement that that's an important role to play as far as treatment by agencies Go. Um, I'm not sure that we've got a policy on that, but it certainly support anything that made people feel welcome and included in our society. [01:29:00] All of us. Thank you. Thank you. We had a question. Yeah. Do you want to go down the back, Richard? And we'll take one more after that. Um, so, like, our current Prime Minister, uh, voted against the civil union and the gay marriage. Um, and now he's done a U turn and said that he actually does support it. So I guess my question is, uh, how are we going to foster a trust in parties that have back [01:29:30] sled on some of the things that they've said in support of our community. Great question. Who would like to take that look? You know, the marriage legislation through Parliament was a conscience issue for the major parties. So there were people in the Labour Party and people in the National Party who voted against marriage equality legislation. Um, but equally, there are a number of very strong voices in the national caucus who support [01:30:00] the rights of your community and stand up for them. And Nicky Kay has been really instrumental there. And I assure you, there are lots of voices coming through. Uh, that share that perspective. Thank you. Um, I just want to It was an opening. I can't not take it. Um, so for the greens, it's not a conscience issue. It's our policy. It's the thing of human rights aren't up to conscience. [01:30:30] Um, in the act party, everything's a conscience issue, because we like freedom of choice. Uh, in the 1986 vote, Sir Roger Douglas and Richard Prell, two people have done more to improve New Zealand than anybody else I can think of Voted for homosexual law reform. And when it came to gay marriage, John Banks, the, uh you know, the old homophobe John Banks. Well, he actually voted for marriage. Equality, too, because we turned on. [01:31:00] Yeah. Um, look, II, I think this is a really important point about how we actually get things to happen. And I just ask you to take a look at the parties that have driven change and the parties that continue to drive and support change. And, you know, I don't I. I completely acknowledge that Nicola is, you know, saying what she thinks and what she believes and that she will be an ally and a supporter for our communities. And and I think that's great, but but it's Yeah, and there'll be people. But [01:31:30] leadership does matter. And the signal that leaders send really really matters in terms of the way people feel in our country and our ability to make change. So that's the point I'd make Richard. How are we doing for time, OK? Yeah. Oh, yeah. Is there anyone who hasn't asked who would like to ask a question? Thank you again. Thank you for [01:32:00] opportunities. I would like to ask national. Sorry if I didn't pronounce your name. The reality people are facing I can assure I can tell you right now. The housing crisis is Yeah, the housing crisis. Is it? I'm going there. The housing crisis is yes, but because of the from housing New Zealand and then work [01:32:30] and it's not working. The system is not working. OK, I'm asking the question. I'm asking the question. OK? Is there any chance that the government is changing about housing and the working income combining together people suffering when you are in the power? Are you going to change it or you gonna leave it? That is it. Can I just first acknowledge that when it comes to leading change, I want to acknowledge Amy Adams, who [01:33:00] brought before Parliament the milestone legislation to expand homosexual convictions. Um, and who also worked with the parliament to get an apology. So that is leadership. And that came from national, Um, in terms of the housing question, I don't want to, um, take over the next five minutes by telling you all of our housing policy about three simple things. We are building more social houses. We are ensuring that there is more land released so that more developers can build more houses and we are funding uh, [01:33:30] to ensure that there is more emergency housing available in New Zealand. So we are working hard on this on all fronts. Uh, and this is an issue that we share a desire to make sure that housing is more affordable and more people, uh, can own their own home in New Zealand. Um, the National Party had a golden opportunity to to reform the Resource Management Act. A few months ago, United Future and Act got together to come up with a way that it could pass. National chose politics [01:34:00] over principle. They did a deal with the Maori Party which will have absolutely no impact on house prices without five act MP S in the next Parliament, we will not have the resource management Act reform needed to build 600,000 more houses in Auckland. What are their own? Um and that brings us to the close of our Q and a We are now going to mix and mingle. So for those of you who didn't want to put your hand up and ask [01:34:30] a question, please come and ask these guys anything that's bothering you or any concerns you have. We have food, drinks and refreshments at the back, so please hang around. Thank you.
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