Dame Susan Devoy: Every child a fair chance

I like to listen or read the maiden speeches delivered by the new Members of Parliament.

After all, we should show an interest in the people chosen to run our country.

It provides, albeit brief, a glimpse into their lives, their political aspirations but, above all else, a little snapshot of their personality.

I was particularly keen to listen to our first deaf MP deliver her speech, because regardless of your own political persuasion this is an extraordinary achievement and one that should be recognised and celebrated.

The recent general election results probably even surpassed the Green Party's expectations but certainly the 250,000 people who voted for them demonstrates that the Greens - whether you like it or not - are quickly becoming a mainstream party.

It was disappointing that Mojo Mathers' welcome to Parliament has been marred by a scrap over who should fund the equipment she needs to enable to her to fulfil her role as an effective Member of Parliament.

We should all understand that any person with a disability requires additional equipment and resources to operate in a world that caters mainly for the able bodied. Usually at their own expense.

The Speaker of the House, Lockwood Smith, finds himself at the centre of this controversy and rightly so.

As he has clearly stated, he doesn't make the rules and nor can he change them to suit. It isn't about being tightfisted or unfair - he is bound by a set of rules.

But the simple fact is he has known since December that New Zealand will have its first deaf MP in Parliament and he should have, with the resources that are available to him, made every endeavour to ensure that the necessary equipment and resources were ready and waiting.

Equally so should her party colleagues. Many of the Greens are long-time campaigners who would have also known that there would be issues.

Surely they have a responsibility to their colleague to ensure that her transition to the world of politics starts smoothly.

She was high on their list so there was an expectation she could enter parliament.

Did you hang her out to dry or was this the opportunity for a little point scoring?

Either way the taxpayer will be paying for this whether it comes from the parliamentary budget or her own support budget.

And I totally support that.

Mathers delivered an articulate and intelligent speech, with assistance from a sign language interpreter in the chamber, the first for New Zealand's Parliament.

Just that alone was moving and then to see the public gallery filled with members of the deaf community applauding Ms Mathers by waving their hands - the sign language equivalent to clapping - was equally so.

She describes herself as an activist. I am sure that the disabled community will be delighted in finally having a real advocate for disability in government.

I thought her statement - "I believe that it is the right of every child with a disability to have the access to the level of early intervention and quality education that I had, so that every child can reach their potential" - will be music to the ears of many parents who face enormous challenges advocating on behalf of their child.

Equally, the 400,000 hearing impaired people in New Zealand will believe they finally have a voice.

Just to clarify, as I did for my own benefit, a note taker is a person who takes notes.

An electronic note taker is a person who takes notes in real time and sends them electronically to the person who needs them.

Obviously, Mathers needs someone to write down what is being said in the chamber because you can't lip read in Parliament due to sight lines and distance between people.

When things get heated in the chamber and reasoned debate turns into a shambles, Mathers might be grateful for a little selective hearing.