Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com
Parliament has now formally recorded how political parties voted on the Abuse in Care Redress Bill, after the step was missed during Wednesday night’s third reading.
The legislation expands the existing redress system for people abused while in state care. Under the system, a redress officer will assess eligibility and determine payments. People convicted of serious violent or sexual offences may still apply, but will be presumed ineligible unless they meet strict criteria set by the redress agency.
Officials expect the expanded scope — which now includes abuse in state mental health settings between 1 July 1993 and 30 June 2022 — to generate up to 80 additional claims a year. This comes on top of the roughly 3500 claims already anticipated for 2026. Those claims are funded, but additional demand may exceed available resources after Finance Minister Nicola Willis declined bids for extra Crown Response Fund money in Budget 2026.
The bill passed with a loud voice vote. Assistant Speaker Maureen Pugh called for agreement, receiving a strong chorus of “aye”. When she asked for opposition, the chamber fell mostly silent. MPs then requested a party vote, but Pugh refused, saying, “I’ve called the vote.”
Green MP Steve Abel said the party opposed the bill and attempted to vote against it, but “Maureen Pugh wouldn’t let us take the party vote”. Abel said the bill “goes some way” but does not sufficiently recognise the scale of harm suffered by survivors.
Green MP Teanau Tuiono said the party had “lots of issues and concerns” based on community feedback and that the missed party vote was called “too late in the piece”.
Labour later moved to have party votes properly recorded. Opposition parties voted against the motion.
