Social Workers Registration Amendment Bill

Members, the House is in committee on the Social Workers Registration Amendment Bill. We start with Part 1. Part 1 is the debate on clauses 4 to 19, “Substantive amendments”. The question is that Part 1 stand part.

I seek leave for all provisions to be taken as one question.

Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? That is an objection. Right, OK. So we’ll take Part 1.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to make a few opening remarks. We’ve heard tonight—and it’s really important for us to acknowledge—how valuable our social workers are, and the essential support they provide to our most vulnerable communities.

The Government is committed to supporting and enhancing the social work profession so that our communities are served and supported effectively. This bill improves the efficiency and the effectiveness of operations carried out under the Social Workers Registration Act 2003. The Act ensures social workers are registered, competent, and accountable and that they follow professional standards. The bill makes 16 minor policy and technical changes based on the Social Workers Registration Board 2020 review to improve the efficiency and the effectiveness of the Act.

We are encouraged that there is general cross-party support for this bill, and outside of the bill we also know that there are workforce challenges for the social work profession, and given the speeches that were made by the Opposition before, they will be pleased to hear that the Minister has asked the Social Workers Registration Board to develop a robust workforce strategy and action plan to address workforce shortages. The Minister has also asked the board to work across Government to find solutions to systemic challenges facing social workers.

That’s really good to hear from the Minister. I want to congratulate the Minister for that type of kōrero, because it is incredibly important going forward that we’re not just looking at the technical amendments but we’re looking at the wider issues. So I congratulate the Minister on that because we do have major workforce shortages at the moment. But more than that, as I said earlier, I was glad the Minister was listening—unlike some of the other members on the other side, particularly Mr Meager and some of those others on the other side—because there are wider issues at play, particularly in terms of pay equity. I hope that the Government doesn’t buckle to the worker-bashing ACT Party that will not attend to some of the problems we have at the moment. I want to come to the bill—it might be a good idea to come to the bill. But it’s much—

Todd Stephenson: Why bother?

Hon WILLIE JACKSON: Well, that’s a better recommendation, “Why bother?”, because we all agree. So maybe I should talk to some of the broader aspects. Oh, no, just for you, Madam Chair, I’ll come to—

CHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger): A question for the Minister would be really good.

Hon WILLIE JACKSON: I have a question for the Minister on clause 17, “Section 116 replaced (Membership of Tribunal)”, which I think is really important. One of the major kaupapa that sticks out in terms of what’s happening with social workers is the shortage in terms of Māori social workers and support for Māori. I’m wanting to know from the Minister in terms of the membership of the tribunal and just reading replacement section 116—but I’m looking at clause 17—there’s a replacement section there in terms of membership of the tribunal: “(1) The Tribunal comprises the following members appointed by the Minister: (a) a chairperson and 1 or more deputy chairpersons; and (b) at least 5 social workers to enable the Tribunal to be constituted; and (c) at least 1 layperson.”

Was there any advice in terms of a Māori being on there? Was there any consultation made in terms of with iwi with regards to this particular clause? Has there been any consultation, particularly also with pan-tribal organisations? I ask the Minister: can she show us a consultation process with regards to this? Because with different iwi groups coming into play, particularly in Auckland with Tainui, and you’ll see that with some of the iwi groups coming into play, there would have been a need for high-level consultation in this area so that we can get the right type of representatives on the tribunal. So what type of Māori consultation, what type of regard has been given in this area? I know it’s an area that we considered before when we were in Government. How was the difference—there’s a difference, obviously, between Oranga Tamariki social workers, Whānau Ora social workers, and mainstream social workers. I know that the others on the other side probably have never met a social worker because—

Andy Foster: No, we’ve never heard a question that’s so rambling.

Hon WILLIE JACKSON: —they live in a different world, and that former failed Mayor of Wellington is one of them. They don’t live in our world, particularly the former failed Mayor of Wellington. But I would like some of these questions to be addressed, because this tribunal is particularly important in terms of democracy and representation, and particularly in terms of Māori and indigenous rights. So has there been a consultation process? Has there been any work with iwi? Has there been any work with any of the pan-tribal entities? I’d like to hear from the Minister.

Members, the time has come for me to leave the Chair. The committee is suspended until 9 a.m.

Sitting suspended from 11.57 p.m. to 9 a.m. (Thursday)