Sullivan Birth Registration Bill

I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the Government Administration Committee for the wonderful work that it has done on behalf of Rowen Sullivan, Doreen Shields, and the late Diane Sullivan. The work that the committee has done has ensured that the integrity of this family has remained intact. I particularly want to thank the Hon Ruth Dyson, who has chaired this process, Chris Auchinvole, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, the Hon Trevor Mallard, Mojo Mathers, Eric Roy, and Jan Logie.

I, as the sponsor of the Sullivan Birth Certificate Bill, would like to support the recommendations of the select committee, and there are two. The first is that the title of the bill be changed to the “Sullivan Birth Registration Bill”. The intention of this piece of legislation is to ensure that Rowen Sullivan has a birth certificate that names both of her parents. In fact, that outcome or that output will be available by virtue of the registration of her parents, so I support 100 percent what the select committee has done. In addition, the select committee recommends the insertion of a new clause 4, which provides that “Diane Sullivan and Doreen Margaret Shields are, for all purposes, the parents” of Rowen Sullivan.

I would like to thank, again, the select committee for its wonderful work. I look forward to the third reading debate on this bill. I thank the Committee and all members for their support. Thank you.

As has been mentioned, the mover of this bill, the Sullivan Birth Registration Bill, is Louisa Wall. Can I thank you, Louisa, for introducing and sponsoring this bill, because it is very important for the Sullivan family and they have been waiting for it for a long time. I would like to acknowledge the chair, the Hon Ruth Dyson, my colleagues Chris Auchinvole and Eric Roy, and the other members of the Government Administration Committee, who have supported this bill all the way. The Sullivan family, and particularly Diane, have got a special place in Rowen’s life, and she wanted her parents’ names on her birth certificate. Thank you.

Clauses 1 to 4 agreed to.

House resumed.

The Chairperson reported the Tasman District Council (Validation and Recovery of Certain Rates) Bill without amendment, the Sullivan Birth Registration Bill without amendment, and no progress on the Electronic Transactions (Contract Formation) Amendment Bill.

Report adopted.

Sitting suspended from 9.56 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Thursday)