"\u003C!DOCTYPE html\u003E\u003Chtml xmlns:xlink=\u0022http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink\u0022 xmlns:xsi=\u0022http://www.w3.org/2007/XMLSchema-instance\u0022 xmlns:mml=\u0022http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML\u0022\u003E\n  \u003Chead\u003E\n    \u003CMETA http-equiv=\u0022Content-Type\u0022 content=\u0022text/html; charset=utf-16\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Cmeta name=\u0022viewport\u0022 content=\u0022width=device-width, initial-scale=1\u0022\u003E\n  \u003C/head\u003E\n  \u003Cbody style=\u0022font-family:sans-serif; font-size:100%;\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022bd9f4aacdd6a41a7a702f170f98112eb\u0022\u003EWEDNESDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2018\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00226d32197a711b42bca64297061e0fa51f\u0022\u003EWEDNESDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2018\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000002\u0022\u003EThe Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000004\u0022\u003EPrayers.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022039f2b61383842baa9c6fd6eb79139e7\u0022\u003ESpeaker\u2019s Statements\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002215f6daef7f904fa68d497e44aa9cfde3\u0022\u003EChamber, Lobbies, and Galleries\u2014Presiding Officers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022bbe8b7fb630e4e09b0a6fe67b97fd64f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bbe8b7fb630e4e09b0a6fe67b97fd64f\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ve got just two brief points to make. The first results from a couple of members who looked slightly frightened as I came down the Noes lobby on my way in. I just want to make it clear that I\u2019m not asking for either the lobbies or the entrance to Parliament to be blocked off from members of Parliament at the time that I am using it. People are most welcome to use it at the same time as me, and if they see me coming, they don\u2019t need to turn around and go the other way. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EAnother slightly more serious matter: members may have noticed presiding officers using computers in the Chamber. They only use them to message the Clerk at the Table as an alternative to passing notes. This is a trial that has run from the beginning of the Parliament, following the use of similar systems in some overseas parliaments. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002215df8b9c754c418ab2815fc239c2a22f\u0022\u003EMinisterial Statements\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ebc99e9365f1499cb55a00bbbc4487bb\u0022\u003ECyclone Gita\u2014Assistance for Affected Countries\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022 data-id=\u0022dafb79b516e4417688ab6be18d38f4a0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022dafb79b516e4417688ab6be18d38f4a0\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister):\u003C/span\u003E I wish to make a ministerial statement. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, tropical cyclone Gita made landfall in Tonga, causing significant damage to homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure. It also impacted on the islands of the southern group of Fiji on Tuesday, with reporting from damage assessments expected over the course of the day. Prior to this, Gita caused widespread flooding in Samoa. Sadly, there has now been one confirmed fatality and some people have been injured. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003EWhenever disaster strikes in the Pacific, New Zealand is on hand to help. Our Pacific neighbours know they can turn to us in times of need, and New Zealanders can feel that we have done all we can in our response to date. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003EWe remain in close contact with the Samoan authorities, and have made initial funding of $50,000 available, which is being used to support damage assessments as well as relief for flood-affected families, including those that remain in evacuation centres. Our high commission in Apia is working with local authorities and NGO partners to distribute New Zealand\u2019s pre-positioned relief supplies. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003EIn Tonga, where the destruction is more severe and widespread, I want to thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs for making initial funding of $750,000 available before the cyclone even reached landfall. It has delivered over 10 tonnes of aid, including 1,000 tarpaulins, 200 shelter tool kits, 500 family hygiene kits, and 2,300 water containers to meet immediate needs. We\u2019ve also deployed a 10-person team of experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the New Zealand Defence Force, the Ministry of Health, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand to assist with the coordination of New Zealand support and to continue needs assessments. The New Zealand Defence Force carried out aerial surveillance yesterday and collected imagery to assist the Tongan Government with damage assessments. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003EI want to acknowledge the leadership of the Governments of Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji in responding to this natural disaster. We remain in close contact with Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji authorities to determine how we can provide further support and work collaboratively into the future. In the meantime, our thoughts are with all of those who have been affected. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022 data-id=\u0022e6938401b9664df3baf6fab408d61845\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e6938401b9664df3baf6fab408d61845\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE (National\u2014Ilam):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you. On behalf of the National Party, I\u2019d like to join the Prime Minister in acknowledging the uncertainty many of our Pacific neighbours are facing in the wake of Cyclone Gita and also to affirm our support for the Government\u2019s humanitarian responses. Our thoughts, and the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those people across Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji who are injured or displaced and those who are now looking ahead to how they rebuild their homes and their lives.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EDisasters of this type are now all too regular an occurrence, and I could only suggest that infrastructure resilience becomes a priority for New Zealand aid and development in the Pacific. Equally, a more speedy process for biosecurity approvals on produce imports from the Islands may assist these economies in the recovery that their people must now begin. We also extend our thoughts to those here in New Zealand with families in Gita\u2019s path, who are still waiting for communications that are yet to be restored with communities across the Pacific.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003EAs the Prime Minister expressed, New Zealand has a longstanding history of being on hand to help when the Pacific is challenged by natural disasters. We encourage that support and that tangible help. I\u2019d like to pay tribute to the staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the New Zealand Defence Force, the Ministry of Health, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand who are working alongside their Pacific colleagues to coordinate and deliver support to communities that need it. Our best wishes are with them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022 data-id=\u00225c4a3f32f0524711b797c4114b39d100\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225c4a3f32f0524711b797c4114b39d100\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW (Leader\u2014Green):\u003C/span\u003E On behalf of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, I extend our sympathies and support to the people of Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji in the wake of Cyclone Gita. The Green Party welcomes the Government\u2019s quick response to provide relief aid to help in the clean-up and recovery, and we will back further support as the full extent of the damage and loss becomes clearer. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EThe images of destruction that we have seen from Tonga are truly heartbreaking. It is almost impossible to comprehend what it\u2019s like to be caught up in such a ferocious storm, with Gita carrying winds of nearly 280 kilometres an hour. It\u2019s an absolute credit to the authorities and to the emergency teams in Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji, as well as the people of those nations, that they saw the danger coming and prepared as best they could. But in the face of a category 4 or category 5 cyclone, there is only so much they can do. So, once again, our hearts do go out to our friends in Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji, those with whom we have such close ties, and we also want to extend our support to family members here in New Zealand, who have been watching and worrying from so far away. Rest assured the Green members of this Government will provide our support to ensure that our friends and neighbours who are caught in the path of Cyclone Gita will have the help that they need.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EIn my capacity as Minister for Climate Change in a Government that has clearly stated its commitment to meeting the challenges of climate change, can I say that the tragic destruction that we have witnessed in Tonga, the extensive flooding that Cyclone Gita left in Samoa, and the expected damage in the south of Fiji only strengthens our resolve to do what New Zealand can to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to the frequency and severity of these kinds of extreme weather events. We have a responsibility to our wh\u0101nau in the Pacific, who live in such vulnerable environments, as Cyclone Gita has once again demonstrated, to show leadership on climate change, and to show the determination and action that other countries can follow. But, of course, the immediate challenge and the focus must be on the clean-up, recovery, and rebuild, and our hearts go out to those in the Islands.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ab656193b1ae4593bdfa46d340ee9c29\u0022\u003EVoting\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f2b4b61cbf8c4cd59690f5ecd74f6d49\u0022\u003ELeave to Record Vote\u2014Child Poverty Reduction Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022 data-id=\u0022f2a65ae401c849fdb2ada1fa457eea3d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f2a65ae401c849fdb2ada1fa457eea3d\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader\u2014ACT):\u003C/span\u003E I seek leave of the House to have a vote entered opposed to the Child Poverty Reduction Bill, the context being that I had authorised another member to cast a proxy, but, as the bill passed on the voices, there was no party vote.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022b2f9451589a84f158f10be9d42b04fbd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b2f9451589a84f158f10be9d42b04fbd\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, the House is the master of its own destiny. Is there any objection to that process being followed? There appears to be none; a vote will be so recorded.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c6d0b51f05c4422c9e4374fda8c73065\u0022\u003EOral Questions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e7a89d59358f4287b2776900972cf0f2\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00229d8cce6573a340f0b6177fc986d49a62\u0022\u003ECharter Schools\u2014Legislative Reform and Potential Closures\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022 data-id=\u0022f0e41c7538114859a1e37aaa0e771aea\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E1. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f0e41c7538114859a1e37aaa0e771aea\u0022\u003ERt Hon BILL ENGLISH (Leader of the Opposition)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government\u2019s policies?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022 data-id=\u002231a0697fe2664efa9305cc83138afe7f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002231a0697fe2664efa9305cc83138afe7f\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister)\u003C/span\u003E:Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c1cdf89a527e44cca9fdd1b05b7cf2d1\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: In light of her statement that \u201Cwe want to say hand on heart we want to be a society judged on how we look after our vulnerable\u201D, is she aware that many of the children in partnership schools are vulnerable, so why is she moving to close those schools?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ef5f5f5439c741a4bc51ae0e07068f59\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: As I said yesterday, we are working as closely as we can with those schools to transition them, to make sure that those children have the best-quality education, and that includes making sure they have registered teachers and they\u2019re being taught the curriculum.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f8247c4652d541048e76fd73b261b09f\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: When the Prime Minister uses the word \u201Ctransition\u201D, is she aware that the legislation her Government introduces certainly closes the partnership schools\u2014it makes their closure absolutely certain because legislation will be passed to achieve it\u2014but there is no guarantee those schools will be able to reopen?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227baf3afe7c55424291f2f81b91c2d2c3\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: It ends the model. It stops future contracts. But it still allows this Government to negotiate with those schools to try and keep them open if they are willing to have registered teachers and to teach the curriculum.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002293169d195d4c4583b75f8ce6b088659b\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: What guarantee can she give to the students and parents of the partnership schools, which she is legislating to close, that they will be allowed to reopen with some other status?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b3e0bf6f307a4b0fba6d302b5d4be2e8\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: As we\u2019ve said, we\u2019re stopping any opening in the future. With those who are currently operating, we\u2019ve said we want to work constructively with them. There is the ability for them to operate as special character schools or even, perhaps, as alternative education operators and providers, and that\u2019s the work that the Ministry of Education is undertaking with them, as we speak. What I would like to give them is the assurance that we are working diligently on this. I know that some of the rhetoric coming from the Opposition isn\u2019t helping with their security, but that\u2019s what we\u2019re doing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022189b6c7b43d04726a19ab12a83cfd061\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Can I ask the question again. What guarantee can the Prime Minister give that a partnership school will be able to reopen, a guarantee that is necessary for the peace of mind of the students, and the parents, who attend those schools and may not be familiar with the legal niceties she\u2019s referring to?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225926e79fdd1145a4a026d4955ed73ae5\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: As we\u2019ve said, I can assure those parents, if the school in which their child is attending is willing to have registered teachers to teach to the curriculum and to operate with the same kind of funding parameters, generally speaking, as State schools, then that is exactly what we are seeking from those schools. Ultimately, those parents will want to probably have those same assurances from those current providers because a lot of this decision sits in their hands too.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225458fc7e0b98446dbcfafbdbbe4bd07a\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Is it now the case that if the schools close, it\u2019s the schools\u2019 fault not the Government\u2019s and that she won\u2019t actually offer a guarantee that schools will be able to reopen and, therefore, parents and students should be told the truth now rather than be misled through months of complex legal negotiations?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022123fd9d0e8c54b25bd560df9712f6e0f\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: If these schools have at their heart the best education for their kids, then I imagine they should be able to transition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002253cb77a16d494c56afc7b6cb3f49b7ee\u0022\u003EHon Chris Hipkins\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Prime Minister aware that existing partnership schools are being urged to close rather than negotiate with the Ministry of Education in good faith, and that that urging is coming from Opposition members of Parliament?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb49e15322eb4e4194ffdcf13af326a9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, no. I\u2019m going to disallow that supplementary. I think the Leader of the House has a special standard, and he\u2019s going to stick with it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f70fe455104b437d9780df1174eea5e8\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Will the Prime Minister take the opportunity to visit Pacific Advance Senior School, as I did on Monday, talk to the staff and the students, hear the stories of the way that school has changed the lives of those 13-, 14-year-old girls, and 16-, 17-year-old boys, of whom, as the Government says, there\u2019s only 1,000, so it won\u2019t matter much\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225903fff8ade24b0e8219e90725af3ea9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222379b4b671384d759d3490c689f1604a\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Will she visit a school, look them in the eye, hear the stories, and reassure them that the Government guarantees the continuation of that school?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224fc15b55f3a34a6b812d5b09b5503338\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! I am going to let the Prime Minister answer it, but I am also going to remind the father of the House that in the last couple of weeks I\u2019d like him to set a very good example, which involves succinct questions, and just to warn people, especially sitting very close to him, if they ask one that long, it will be ruled out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022de3fb3ccb4d3493ea53bae2d4f4ce096\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: That assumes that I haven\u2019t met and spoken to students from charter schools and those who teach there before\u2014I have. In fact, just a few weeks ago, I had a conversation with someone who works in a charter school where they said they were absolutely confident that because they have registered teachers and teach the curriculum, they could transition and will.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227d207643b00245399536ce4612137eeb\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Prime Minister aware that as part of this shambles, education officials told a select committee this morning that the closures could cost up to $15 million?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297f1b6a6e1f6460eb3c018f24da3f883\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: Again, the constant framing from the Opposition around closures when this Government is working\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e978865e-57e5-41d6-a7f6-b49daae78630\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225eeba88fb54346e39465bc773b52872e\u0022\u003EHon Dr Nick Smith\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s your law. It\u2019s your bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f84d26073715422bb0108e61a48f5f68\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: Let me explain to Mr Smith, if he listens closely: we will not enter into any future contracts. We will negotiate with existing schools to try and transition them. It is that side of the House that is scaremongering and trying to cost the taxpayer money.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002276be721d29d94f74bd229b20bdbc5410\u0022\u003ERt Hon Bill English\u003C/span\u003E: So is the Prime Minister unaware, first, that her legislation guarantees the closure\u2014legislates the closure\u2014of the schools and, secondly, that the Government will have contractual obligations of up to a million dollars per school if the schools are closed as partnership schools, regardless of the nature of a transition?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022aa2209f1-1889-4c24-b51d-cb2aedc7aa93\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224673e963080d4b8e99736ab602633074\u0022\u003ERt Hon JACINDA ARDERN\u003C/span\u003E: I know that the member understands this. We\u2019re ending the model. That doesn\u2019t stop the ability of a school to start operating as a school of special character.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f4a686ebd3c34cfbbf5a3f10b662a9e5\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229e68ee8868eb4679aa7436ee896fb44b\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224920c5d651f34f4686e898253be88b6f\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: A point\u2014was Nikki Kaye\u2019s a point of order or a question?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229c98c7462b43425998ea146d5f215978\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: A point of order. The Prime Minister did not answer the question by the Leader of the Opposition. There were twofold points there, and she should answer the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002279ac12c423f346f690a2ed71da8b559c\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I think she addressed the question, which is the requirement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd55cffbc8fe4b1dabaa7655b0a3bc8e\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: I seek your guidance: at what point\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f7238dd88c6640c4811045cdf6e2309a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No. The member will sit down. It\u2019s not the Speaker\u2019s role to do tutorials here; I\u2019m willing to give the member one in my office later.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224dcaa9cff2864d59b3d22ba1ca1e4da6\u0022\u003EDavid Seymour\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I\u2019m not seeking your guidance. I want to know: at what point is the Prime Minister misleading the House when she introduces legislation\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229944b869d9d04c318f5a3f6e98afa543\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member will resume his seat, and he\u2019s lost his supplementaries for this week. He knows well that to accuse a member of misleading the House in the House in that manner is disorderly. If he\u2019s got any supplementaries left for this week, he doesn\u2019t anymore.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f5e91372c4f845d98991f83417bc1af2\u0022\u003EEconomy\u2014Reports\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022 data-id=\u00221254056899fc4fb5926881ae8a089042\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221254056899fc4fb5926881ae8a089042\u0022\u003ETAMATI COFFEY (Labour\u2014Waiariki)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he seen on the health of the New Zealand economy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u0022fa391b2dbe4243a896bfd5c83f839dc9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fa391b2dbe4243a896bfd5c83f839dc9\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E International credit ratings agency Moody\u2019s published their latest credit rating opinion for the New Zealand Government this week. It assessed New Zealand\u2019s economic strength as very high and maintained the Government\u2019s Aaa credit rating. Moody\u2019s expects New Zealand\u2019s economy to remain among the fastest-growing Aaa-rated economies in coming years. It also says that in the longer term, New Zealand\u2019s potential GDP growth is higher than that of many Aaa-rated countries.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222cab4cce9a87456baeaea8cab3c3dc76\u0022\u003ETamati Coffey\u003C/span\u003E: What contributing factors to the Aaa credit rating did Moody\u2019s identify in its assessment?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227cce5eb2b6fe46beada1697ccc6bc5dc\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Moody\u2019s pointed to this Government\u2019s commitment to preserving fiscal surpluses and reducing Government debt as a percentage of GDP over the next five years. They also noted the Government\u2019s priorities of strengthening the economy and employment and the focus on improving living standards. I\u2019m pleased to see that another international ratings agency recognises this Government\u2019s progressive economic plan and our fiscal responsibility.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b26786493e9b45218c197911c612d3a2\u0022\u003ETamati Coffey\u003C/span\u003E: What other reports has he seen on the health of the economy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b0832d9c24a147cfbbd94790f8e62752\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: While headline growth indicators for the economy are positive, another report released this morning, the Salvation Army\u2019s 2018 State of the Nation Report, is a salutary reminder that success in the economy must translate to the lives of all New Zealanders. The report states, \u201Cit is clear that the benefits of this recent strong economic growth have not been shared across the board, or trickled down, as the theory would have it.\u201D The Government is committed to generating inclusive economic growth and taking a more active approach through initiatives like the Families Package to ensure that all New Zealanders share in prosperity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ded19a38468f4ac2b67d015354534c5f\u0022\u003EHon James Shaw\u003C/span\u003E: Did the Minister see in any of these reports any mention of an $11.6 billion hole in the Government accounts?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022120689b0c9604afd90e342041c526f02\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I didn\u2019t\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002269bc5aa245e643039442b9ba54f1e4b4\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No. Order! Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002212b8d3ee1ca24ca5a1da08649f04bee8\u0022\u003EEconomy\u2014Construction Industry\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022 data-id=\u002212affa0cd246462aa3476c4d2881c3cd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002212affa0cd246462aa3476c4d2881c3cd\u0022\u003EHon STEVEN JOYCE (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: Does he agree with the analysis from Infometrics showing economic growth will slow to 2.6 percent in 2019, and that the reason for this includes \u201Clabour capacity constraints in the residential construction sector\u201D and \u201Cchanges in central government\u2019s infrastructure priorities\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u0022b5120dea9c724d37909a0cb54421d243\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b5120dea9c724d37909a0cb54421d243\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E No.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223eca6831822f4c09b693de5a1cdad389\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Does he agree with the Reserve Bank\u2019s forecast in last week\u2019s Monetary Policy Statement, and I quote, \u201CResidential investment is assumed to increase\u201D\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227f6c8214a3ed481fb2205c513d58559d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No. [Interruption] Order! Order! The member will resume his seat. It\u2019s very important that the member realises that supplementaries must flow from an answer. The member asked about a very specific report and he got a very specific answer, and the start of his question is not close to the primary question or does not flow from the answer. So the member has lost one supplementary.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c1f568d10323493c8b96e37d4eac8099\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227efb2d3e125443afa6bd1d6d570d8c8d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I mean, he\u2019s used it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297773a571a25413392279f68c5fc8c0e\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Given that answer, does he have any concern along the lines expressed by Infometrics that the infrastructure sector is slowing down, as indicated by a number of concerns about different organisations in the construction industry?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ff7eb348011e474c8019780a3e7c3219\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I have heard some concerns from those in the construction industry, but I can reassure them and the member that this Government is ambitious to make sure that we invest in infrastructure through programmes like KiwiBuild, through investing in regional roads and rail, and in making sure we make up for the underinvestment of the previous Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221c1251c786644efd95c271d91e78b037\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Given his reference to KiwiBuild, is he aware that last week\u2019s Monetary Policy Statement by the Reserve Bank indicated that they didn\u2019t expect to see any benefit out of KiwiBuild policies until late 2019, and even then that would possibly displace private sector investment, and that the Reserve Bank expects residential investment to increase more slowly, over the next couple of years, than in previous years?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c85b8554709c4b9fa86a77e973a10016\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: This material was covered in the House yesterday in a question to Mr Twyford. The Government is confident that we will see the impact of KiwiBuild, starting in this term: $5.4 billion of additional investment in the residential building sector over and above the normal investment by the private sector. We are taking an active role in making sure that we have a decent, affordable housing stock, unlike the previous Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb56c08a6f924f218a4445c0b9b0cb71\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Minister had any meetings or been part of any meeting with representatives of the construction industry or the contracting industry where they\u2019ve raised concerns about the effects of Government building and infrastructure policies on the industry that may lead to difficulties and a reduction in staff?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229aad2150f22f4929beb546dff683b3de\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: As I informed the member in the select committee this morning, in fact, in a public forum issues were raised by members of the infrastructure community, seeking an assurance that this Government was committed to investing in infrastructure. I made that commitment because I believe in the policies that we have to ensure we do invest in housing, we do invest in roads, we do invest in rail. That\u2019s what a good Government does. It\u2019s just a pity the previous Government didn\u2019t do it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ef1d3fd98b67493b8b4e14f11a21b047\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Does he appreciate the concerns of the construction industry are, right now, that they had a long-term pipeline of work that is now being stopped by this incoming Government, they have no idea what will happen next, and they are very concerned for the future of their workforces over the next couple of years?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002282f52fe682e94a8ca0f3bc97c1155e41\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I reject the premise in the member\u2019s question. We have a pipeline of work coming through. It seems that the former Minister seems to believe that one specific project that was going to cost $327 million per kilometre, the most expensive road in the world, somehow was the be-all and end-all of infrastructure and investment. We have a much wider ambition than that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a244152-977c-48d2-bf53-4f3a369a27a9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a1e9175cc8c14fc0a4bf3e49388544ed\u0022\u003EHon Steven Joyce\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister perhaps appreciate that it\u2019s not me but it\u2019s the construction sector, it\u2019s Infometrics, and it\u2019s the Reserve Bank that are raising these flags, and will he take any steps, beyond just talking, as Minister of Finance to do anything about the looming slow-down in the construction and infrastructure sector?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225d0fdcfd0d8f45b494fb8fe94f949a98\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: We have, as I\u2019ve said before, an ambitious programme of investment in infrastructure that the construction sector will be a part of. The member needs to stop talking down the New Zealand economy and realise that there are great and ambitious plans on this side of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00227d9a7c1715504c72ad7871fd8c90e2a8\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 10 to Minister, 13 February\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022c82d7f865cf34046b9d62cf88e1c38f3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c82d7f865cf34046b9d62cf88e1c38f3\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Before we come to question No. 4 from the Hon Gerry Brownlee, I said yesterday that I would look at the content of a particular supplementary question to question No. 10. Upon reflection, having looked at it, I should have ruled out a question from the Deputy Prime Minister, and I apologise for not acting on it at the time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dbc31034aa114a5594421c0a791c1e7b\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: What about giving us one of our supplementaries back?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b987de3b85eb464b998c962db2e4cd83\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Or taking one away for commenting on the ruling.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002247ee9c8c8db14037ba0f34336e9a3b7f\u0022\u003EForeign Affairs\u2014Foreign Investment in New Zealand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Funding, and Trans-Tasman Relationship\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022 data-id=\u002295fe38a1c62a4cd88264fc9ca0af74d5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002295fe38a1c62a4cd88264fc9ca0af74d5\u0022\u003EHon GERRY BROWNLEE (National\u2014Ilam)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Does he stand by all of his statements?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022 data-id=\u0022cefd5a2a8ce24fdbb078dc2102f1076b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cefd5a2a8ce24fdbb078dc2102f1076b\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister of Foreign Affairs):\u003C/span\u003E Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cfb0debfc0a1402a935d6184997a21d8\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: When he said in the House yesterday, \u201Cthat\u2019s why we\u2019re getting our funding up to do our role.\u201D, was he confirming a very large increase in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) funding in the 2018 Budget?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224235624fe55942df87bab611116ca5e6\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: From 2008 to beyond 2016, there was no increase in MFAT\u2019s funding at all and a huge decline in overseas aid. Luckily, help\u2019s been on its way and we\u2019re going to turn that around.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220fb22a43456044d29596cff19b6aedd6\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: When he said to the House yesterday that one of his priorities is \u201Cimproving the character and quality of \u2026 foreign policy engagement\u201D, was that an indication that he\u2019s dissatisfied with our current high commissioners and ambassadors?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dfef928a5f6e4cbfafb413425b57fc71\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Quite the contrary. This is a superb group of civil servants\u2014perhaps without any peer in the world, given the lack of funding they\u2019ve been suffering under, to the extent that a hundred senior diplomats left the job, and all of them, from every mission around the world, signed a complaint against the previous Government. We hear them and we\u2019re going to fix things up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022610026bdb8bc4c02b244b07b92180683\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by all his stated concerns over foreign ownership of New Zealand assets; and, if so, has his department told him that under the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership the threshold for Overseas Investment Office approval for a New Zealand asset purchase will rise by 100 percent from $100 million to $200 million?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228dd265129bbb4a76a18b202f2dad3426\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: The reality is that the present Government is working on a number of issues about which the question is focused, but here\u2019s the real point: when you are talking to international countries, the art of diplomacy is to jump into troubled waters without making a splash; not belly flops like some members prefer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f5d71749-ae91-4af7-b2bd-77260398912a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224f6a35c75ce1446faf4e72aa9eeefcee\u0022\u003EHon David Parker\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Deputy Prime Minister aware that the investment limit from Australia is already $500 million, that the $200 million under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is 40 percent of that amount, and that Australia already represents 80 percent of New Zealand\u2019s foreign direct investment from TPP countries?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cb8451183e624edb985b2e2afe1df2c8\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Answering as the Minister of Foreign Affairs\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022648fb2a5ae9d4463a5979b36f546af1c\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Answering as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I can confirm that, but it should not be our job to educate the Opposition.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297de573d9b224cffa0ccd5b780292bfa\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Has his department advised him that in bilateral meetings with other countries he can say that the ability for foreign investors to purchase assets including land will remain open, even with the passing of the Government\u2019s Overseas Investment Amendment Bill, as indicated to the select committee this morning by Treasury?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226194cdcffbae4969a2ab5cb385e48638\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: The reality is that there is ongoing work until the signing of certain documents in March, and I\u2019ve got every confidence in my colleague the Hon Mr Parker, who understands exactly what the coalition Government\u2019s policy is about. We\u2019re not going to leave ourselves open to the vagaries of international unbridled capitalism; we\u2019re going to take control of our own destiny.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002212f8d1d86c804438b9ac312d9171ba88\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. In my last two questions, I\u2019ve been very careful to align those questions with the Minister\u2019s responsibilities and his engagement with his ministry. Now he can, you know, flannel his way through all these things with a series of insults against the previous Government and, indeed, personal insults as well, but it doesn\u2019t take away his responsibility to answer as a Minister for his department. Now I asked a question, \u201CHas his department told him \u2026\u201D, and he told me that, no, he trusts Mr Parker. Well, is the wool over the eyes or not? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226110016e9a6f4e6f806f260d5632f5eb\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: To the very contrary, I said I did trust Mr Parker, not that I didn\u2019t trust him. And the second thing is\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cba4948d62e24774b211f4598f5efe2d\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s what we said. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c16f8b69f327429f971fe0b68bb5ddcc\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: I wasn\u2019t at the select committee this morning; no doubt there will be a report back. But the big picture is that we\u2019re working on a number of issues that were seriously neglected in terms of sovereignty by the previous Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b3c2a4cfef0a423794697d1a4751c923\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Right. I won\u2019t count that as a question, but I think the member more or less asked a question in his point of order, and certainly got a reply to it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002242e4e5a750564e169b5c7082a6906d78\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: No. With all due respect\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b7ac485623474a80afe37069fb98ffe8\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Now\u2014is the member asking me to rule on his point of order now? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d5a06a879041488089115d3bbf0c4e4c\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: No, I\u2019m asking\u2014I\u2019m taking a point of order. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221ee4752ee89c44a485f364cca0bcc1a2\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: A new one? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223a2cd95e0c574911ab127f8fe746ed7b\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Well, it\u2019ll have to be, because you\u2019ve more or less just ruled on the other one, just like you said I\u2019d more or less asked a question. The fact is, I didn\u2019t ask a question, \u201Cmore or less\u201D; I pointed out the Minister was not answering the question, which was \u201CHas his department advised him \u2026\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022352223f1f154403db7e83f0185f90856\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, and he addressed the question. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d343986d7512458f9c02fdf4a699d604\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Can the Minister tell us what will be the most visible manifestation of his ambition for an enlightened improvement in his relationship with Australia? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eb75822753aa4b66815e9a5dfa9bc72e\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: We have for some time\u2014as is evidenced by the complaints that New Zealanders have of the way the changed law has been applying in Australia, even as far back as 2002\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022222151d4c7ca4330b2832731e4082dd7\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: There\u2019s no change. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f23140624658484c861e3edbaa849763\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Could I finish\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002248c7a7eca84a41a79c47d03edc74802a\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: No change in their law. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002201ccc226dfdc48d984b9e7ee5e57341f\u0022\u003ERt Hon WINSTON PETERS\u003C/span\u003E: Well, if you don\u2019t want to hear the answer, why, oh why, did you ask the question? Look, could I just say, Mr Brownlee, this is a very serious issue. The reality is there\u2019s never been a time since 1946 when Australia has needed New Zealand more, and vice versa, given the problems and concerns we have in the Pacific. Now, we believe that we can have a far better-understanding relationship with the Australian political system and that the natural justice rules that we apply in our country will better apply to certain people there who are suffering from the application of\u2014not the application of them, but of rigid immigration rules, for example. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f08e4f3245594ba488fb0f1aa4bcaadd\u0022\u003EStatistics\u2014Collection of Rainbow Community Information\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022 data-id=\u002229003f2a534b440db8e99dd5178eec75\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002229003f2a534b440db8e99dd5178eec75\u0022\u003EJAN LOGIE (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Statistics: What steps are being taken by Statistics New Zealand to ensure better collection of information about the rainbow community?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022 data-id=\u0022d876750fd15949a59400a3c42ab7051c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d876750fd15949a59400a3c42ab7051c\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW (Minister of Statistics):\u003C/span\u003E I\u2019ve written to the Government Statistician to make clear that work on collecting information on sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation is a priority for me as Minister of Statistics and have requested that Statistics New Zealand\u2019s work programme in this area be progressed at pace. I note that, while it is a priority and work will be progressed, future decisions on how these topics are collected is the sole responsibility of the Government Statistician. But I do hope that the 2018 Census will be the last that fails to give New Zealanders the chance to identify themselves based on gender or sexual identity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220ab26c02b13e466ca43f2316e90e2a3d\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Why were these options not included in this year\u2019s census?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc66818e54024ee5b67b1bc6b2322b0d\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: Despite rigorous testing, Statistics New Zealand have not yet been able to develop a statistically robust way to collect information on gender and sexual identity, as well as sexual orientation, in a self-completed questionnaire format such as the census. It\u2019s possible that interview-based surveys like the General Social Survey may prove to be a far more robust way to gather this information. That\u2019s why Statistics New Zealand have included a question on sexual orientation in the 2018 General Social Survey. That will enable Statistics New Zealand to test the methods and questions employed in collecting this information and will help to develop a statistically robust set of questions for the census in 2023, as well as all other social surveys in the future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002259bf266e58984db3b028641b99974334\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: What options are there in this year\u2019s census for the intersex people who cannot accurately assign themselves biologically to male or female?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229543db0eecba44ef936dbe6ecce7bcfc\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: As an interim option, in this year\u2019s census, people who want to indicate their biological sex is neither male nor female will be able to request a paper form and mark both male and female. More information is available on the Statistics website.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bdd09fc309cd4513820ff6ca69eb597d\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Why is this work an area of priority for the Minister?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002211b5a9383d18429ea5302d8eee2eca2c\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: This is about helping to bring down the walls of discrimination, bullying, and stigma. People in the rainbow community have been feeling marginalised by the absence of this kind of data gathering, and we need it so that everyone can feel represented in New Zealand\u2019s data. But, also, we need this information for the Government to make informed public policy and funding decisions based on good data. We need good data in order to be able to serve the rainbow community and population effectively.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00221ddf7af41e8540e284df4075355e4bee\u0022\u003ECharter Schools\u2014M\u0101ori Education\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022 data-id=\u00221ecc4d8db9944623af38063429c475c5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221ecc4d8db9944623af38063429c475c5\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE (National\u2014Auckland Central)\u003C/span\u003E to the Associate Minister of Education (M\u0101ori Education): Has he received any reports indicating challenges in M\u0101ori education achievement?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022 data-id=\u0022537b176908bf48ef9995abc36fc8b927\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022537b176908bf48ef9995abc36fc8b927\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS (Associate Minister of Education (M\u0101ori Education)):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, I have. Most importantly, I\u2019ve heard from M\u0101ori parents and teachers who are ecstatic that this Government has removed national standards\u2014a barrier to M\u0101ori educational achievement the National Government put in place.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002225cbd5ecdb8f4485959908584ef6c6b2\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Just before the member asks her question, I do want to make it very clear that in answering \u201CYes\u201D to that question, the Minister is saying that he has received official reports in that area. If that\u2019s not the case, he should make it clear now.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d1544e2b6b41460f942283445e3f8082\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: No, Mr Speaker, not official reports, but certainly reports from parents.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002297eb44177e464a63aa20e1be27bb444f\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. It was a very interesting point that you laid out for the House, and probably very instructional for the Government, but is that an appropriate role for the Speaker\u2014to ask for someone to correct an answer in the House? That\u2019s not what we understand the normal procedure to be.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221f46aa821a9a4de6b3009c26e8ea25fc\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, and the problem that I had, Mr Brownlee, was that the answer was, effectively, out of order because it said \u201CYes\u201D at the beginning and then indicated that the report that had been received was not an official report. I just wanted to clarify with the member in order to assist members with their supplementaries. It is something that I have done at least twice previously, once with a Government supplementary involving Mr Robertson and once with an Opposition supplementary previously. I know that there\u2019s not a high level of understanding within members of the House as to what receiving means as opposed to seeing, and the difference it means for ministerial responsibility.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002250a4ad173c734a4b88425400de0bef89\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Has he received communications or had discussions with partnership schools about the impact and challenges to young M\u0101ori of getting rid of the partnership schools model?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227718f8ed211548f286f70de84c4501bb\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ve had communications with some current charter schools. They\u2019re mainly concerned about the scaremongering that\u2019s been propagated by members of the Opposition, in particular members such as herself, who are doing their best Chicken Little impersonation, telling them the sky is going to fall down on their heads. However, I am comforted by the old Ng\u0101puhi saying that says, loosely translated, \u201CA chicken is just a grown-up egg.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022afb569a410c4458e9f9c984bb3bc005f\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: When the Prime Minister said he had discussions with several partnership schools, can he confirm he was not acting in his capacity as Associate Minister of Education?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002218861df1080b40f78b7c4275c210b3a0\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: The charter schools in the north contacted me as their local member of Parliament because they were scared about the scaremongering that\u2019s been propagated by the Opposition MPs around charter schools.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220168df97d85f4806b41f888603375639\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: Will he cooperate fully with the formal complaint that has been lodged against him by a partnership school that he is giving preferential treatment by responding only to partnership schools that he has links with?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ddb406bfb34144e88a64260a0710a197\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: This is a great opportunity for me to explain. I am aware of that complaint she\u2019s mentioned. Let me say that on 12 February, I actually tried to ring one of the members of another charter school in west Auckland. They didn\u2019t pick up the phone. But, again\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c760a341232943acbbd06267a52c6a31\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I do get the idea that members on my left would like this series of questions to continue. If they do, they\u2019re going to listen to the answers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a27cf45728724f62bc3e50db99a430ee\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I just want to say to the member, though, that there\u2019s been no favouritism. I was approached by He Puna M\u0101rama Trust because of the scaremongering and the false information being propagated. So I responded to them and talked them through the publicly available information that the Minister\u2014the fantastic, the best education Minister in 10 years\u2014proactively released just last week.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223a88de81c08a4c39a7d8dc661db64038\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: In light of the Radio New Zealand story a number of minutes ago that says, \u201CLabour M\u0101ori MPs, including Kelvin Davis, have given their word that M\u0101ori charter schools will not shut down.\u201D\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f52207ddbe7a4b3ea6038a580dca8d34\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I don\u2019t think it does this Parliament any service to see a member reading the question out from a telephone, which is something I\u2019ve never seen before. It lowers the dignity of this Parliament\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c8507b48bca74c989c45bcb98d9ed2d5\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! I\u2019m going to ask the right honourable Deputy Prime Minister to repeat his point of order, and I will not have any interjection during points of order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c7fa4f954cd14bb2ab5e6bb634b96818\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: My point of order is about the dignity of this House. It is not enhanced when someone is reading their question out from their cellphone, which is what I saw. If you want to look at the parliamentary record, it\u2019ll show that as well. That\u2019s what I\u2019m raising as a matter of public order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223dfbe06adb724b91872a654fb9ce89fe\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Speaker\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227693ff621c2c4641bd4c9d479ac88ef7\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I don\u2019t need the member\u2019s assistance. I think members these days get their information in the House in a variety of manners, and Radio New Zealand is available on the cellphones. If the member is quoting from that, it is something that I have seen done previously. If the member was being supplied by a person outside with particular questions to be asked, that would be a different matter. But I think it\u2019s an unreasonable assumption to make.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002218c5dc6130b14fcb906763ebdaa54942\u0022\u003EHon Nikki Kaye\u003C/span\u003E: In light of the Radio New Zealand story a number of minutes ago that says that \u201CLabour M\u0101ori MPs, including Kelvin Davis, have given their word that M\u0101ori charter schools will not shut down.\u201D, will he fully cooperate with the inquiry, where people are saying he\u2019s given preferential treatment in a complex legal process?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022beec60c251b441a092a11d01f44f7881\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: In so far as he has ministerial responsibility, which I haven\u2019t yet seen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022802874a3-deca-48b7-9d33-9087058892f5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022346fe7fe3ccd41e4af3825f99ac5c01b\u0022\u003EHon KELVIN DAVIS\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Speaker, I\u2019ll cooperate with whatever the complaint process is. But let me say that I\u2019m happy to get in touch with other charter schools. I\u2019m happy to speak to them if they too are confused by the scaremongering and misinformation of the Opposition parties.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022072d5e0b692e4dbb97f7e0eae7c112fb\u0022\u003EFamilies Package\u2014Measures\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022 data-id=\u0022480ab9a2823a4c66b0ce5fdbf04c776c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022480ab9a2823a4c66b0ce5fdbf04c776c\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Social Development: Will the Families Package address the challenges faced by many families of growing living costs and food poverty, as highlighted in the Salvation Army\u2019s State of the Nation Report, released today?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022 data-id=\u00227681432d9e0641da9d363e2857de0d0e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227681432d9e0641da9d363e2857de0d0e\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, the Government\u2019s Families Package is designed to directly address the challenges faced by low-income New Zealanders. It increases the incomes of thousands of Kiwi families facing rising living costs and food instability, in particular by increasing the accommodation supplement and changes to Working for Families. Together, these initiatives will support families struggling to get by.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022db45479b8c0e4a0ebdb6ac5962c8b80c\u0022\u003EJo Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: What specific measures will the Families Package deliver to ensure families can meet rising living costs?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cd02a8345f104a6ba35259febc8ab67b\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: Rising house prices and rents are a major driver of hardship, as highlighted in the State of the Nation Report. Our Families Package will provide targeted assistance to help address this. It includes increases to the accommodation supplement and accommodation benefit, which mean that 135,000 families will gain an average of $35 per week. This increase sits alongside this Government\u2019s other commitments to building more affordable homes, expanding the social housing stock, and making New Zealand homes warmer and drier.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b5b8f032b1354504ba0521c64b194b2e\u0022\u003EJo Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: What other living costs will the Families Package help New Zealanders to meet?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c3a88c42-f60b-4cf9-8065-8bfb80a020eb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cdf01c0f741b48f4b9081f4b4c8c28a8\u0022\u003EHon CARMEL SEPULONI\u003C/span\u003E: Winter can be really hard on the health of our elderly and children. As part of our Families Package, our winter energy payment will help superannuitants and beneficiaries to afford the heating they need to keep themselves warm and healthy. When fully implemented, a single person receiving superannuation or who is on a benefit with no dependent children will receive $450, and couples and singles with children will receive an additional $700 over a five-month period.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00220d56610df11a4874be08b910c8985e03\u0022\u003EHealth Services\u2014National Bowel Screening Programme\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022603ae58e-47c4-46f9-bfc8-8355a48988ad\u0022 data-id=\u0022903ef3f8b804413fba7bd19599510932\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022603ae58e-47c4-46f9-bfc8-8355a48988ad\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022903ef3f8b804413fba7bd19599510932\u0022\u003EHon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (National\u2014Northcote)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: What are his priorities in the Health portfolio?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022 data-id=\u0022979279e60b70444c8717107370607c36\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022979279e60b70444c8717107370607c36\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health):\u003C/span\u003E Better health for New Zealanders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022603ae58e-47c4-46f9-bfc8-8355a48988ad\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002265dc13119e6e491babb9e38a5e8edc34\u0022\u003EHon Dr Jonathan Coleman\u003C/span\u003E: Why did he wait until yesterday to announce a review of the National Bowel Screening Programme, over three months after he had signed a briefing, dated 3 November, entitled Bowel screening pilot\u2019s incorrect withdrawal of eligible people?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220231ee8cd6084013a419d08c80ab6f49\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: Since I received notification that there had been issues with the pilot at Waitemat\u0101\u2014something the previous Minister had been made aware of that could have affected life outcomes for people\u2014I have requested information repetitively from the Ministry of Health to ensure we could be sure, on behalf of the public, that the programme was going to be delivered as stated by the previous Government. As the evidence has emerged, it\u2019s become clear to me that the pilot has thrown up a number of lessons: that already there have been delays signalled, and that the previous Government had failed to plan adequately for the correct roll-out of this very important programme. I have decided to act. I have decided to seek an independent review so that New Zealanders can be assured that this very important service will be rolled out as they would expect.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022603ae58e-47c4-46f9-bfc8-8355a48988ad\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eeba041a6220421ca29f3f7452e73ba8\u0022\u003EHon Dr Jonathan Coleman\u003C/span\u003E: I seek leave to table a briefing to the Minister dated 3 November, entitled Bowel screening pilot\u2019s incorrect withdrawal of eligible people. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228f5e4ed622504114890491a4d9aa5b71\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I want to seek the assurance that that\u2019s not one of the documents that\u2019s been released under the proactive release policy that some Ministers are using.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c0ee2f2026a44e7499d1ec6a3b87da48\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m not certain. I\u2019m happy for it to be tabled.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002203b354b8862640b798da6054754f84e2\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Is there any objection to the document being tabled? There appears to be none.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003EDocument, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022603ae58e-47c4-46f9-bfc8-8355a48988ad\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c455563b601f409fbe7663a42e7af47c\u0022\u003EHon Dr Jonathan Coleman\u003C/span\u003E: Why yesterday did he tell the House, in relation to a story on bowel screening funding, that the Taranaki Daily News had \u201Cprinted a retraction because they misquoted me\u201D, when the newspaper has stated today that no retraction was printed?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002220193f24383644638f93a3697df1d76a\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I think I stated in the House yesterday that I had been advised that a retraction had been printed. It was an incorrect quotation, and I stand by that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022603ae58e-47c4-46f9-bfc8-8355a48988ad\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220a613dda11644bce8adf4172a7a12ebc\u0022\u003EHon Dr Jonathan Coleman\u003C/span\u003E: What assurance can he give that the three-month delay between signing the 4 November briefing warning of an issue with the pilot and announcing a review of the programme yesterday will not result in patients dying from bowel cancer?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022362d9c7c5e004e55b2f2a85e66c46de4\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I am expecting that there will be no further delays. I\u2019m hoping there will be no further delays. Unfortunately, I cannot be held responsible for the abysmal lack of planning under the previous Government\u2019s watch.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c07d8a0e35dc4766b429b98f313ea465\u0022\u003EMycoplasma Bovis\u2014Culling of Cows, Industry Financial Contribution, and Official Financial Advice\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022 data-id=\u0022553dd59fd66d4043b7911c90b91f3892\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022553dd59fd66d4043b7911c90b91f3892\u0022\u003EHon NATHAN GUY (National\u2014\u014Ctaki)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Agriculture: Does he stand by all of his statements?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u0022b6a056c5c91f4240b1bf99dee1e0bbd0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b6a056c5c91f4240b1bf99dee1e0bbd0\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture):\u003C/span\u003E Yes, in the context in which they were made.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c10b500f23f440debfcf43bc53a76086\u0022\u003EHon Nathan Guy\u003C/span\u003E: How does he reconcile his statement in relation to M. bovis from July last year, and I quote, \u201CAll the cows and any with possible contact with another cow should all be destroyed.\u201D with how he\u2019s now stopped any culling of the herds?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d6d0efeb227d43d2a2e0408e995dec26\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: At the time of first discovery, there was one farm and one farming operation involved. Culling did begin, but, unfortunately, we then discovered that there was a second infected property in Southland. That led us to believe that there were possibly hundreds of properties that could have been infected, and the issue of whether it\u2019s possible to eradicate or whether we were faced with an ongoing management regime for Mycoplasma bovis is the dilemma that we still face. Officials have, for a number of reasons, stopped culling at this point. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221a10bde5db3c49f0a631bdda9213c8c3\u0022\u003EHon Nathan Guy\u003C/span\u003E: What financial advice has the Minister received to manage or eradicate M. bovis from his officials, and how much?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ccfd6a47867b49cd8dd681ef739ccc7a\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: Officials, thankfully, are not affected by the disease, but there are an increasing number of affected animals throughout this country, for a whole lot of reasons. Obviously, inadequate biosecurity import health standards, initially, which have allowed this disease into this country, have led us to a very sad and challenging situation where, through money appropriated through the Ministry of Primary Industries, we have been able to conduct the process thus far of tracing, of some extermination of some animals and removing them, and of ongoing testing and monitoring. To date, the number of confirmed infected properties is 23, the number of properties under restricted place notice are 38, the number of trace properties is over 1,500\u2014this is a huge operation, and we cannot at this point say the total cost of this operation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223c03d1261c6a42ab8a4e720090faac55\u0022\u003EHon Nathan Guy\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Government asked industry to contribute to the costs of eradication or management of M. bovis; and, if so, how much money has been requested from the Government to industry?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a9c0d281b82947e7986e6a8334d526ce\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: There has been no\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221b5fe5a4c0ae48feab387c77d05c845c\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Did the member want to rephrase it, because I think there was an inconsistency between the beginning and the end. It\u2019s a question of who was asking whom for money.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022397eb503112443e1a7fd0d010249f582\u0022\u003EHon Nathan Guy\u003C/span\u003E: Has the Government requested any contribution from industry to either contain or eradicate M. bovis; and, if so, how much money has been requested from the industry?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226ce53f61104d498b8fe20ae699583d5f\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: No such request has gone to industry at this point. Both the director-general and myself\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225d230d807b7a410f981fe96a9253ecb9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The Hon Nathan Guy, I think the member\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ab477fcf743b4daf8f8ff3989802dc6e\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Animal noises.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226fe7554b8318498d8619c843691a070f\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, that was the point I was going to make. He used to be the Minister in charge of animal welfare, and it sounds like an animal is being tortured at the moment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221ed9165e34ed46c0b729bf06db2a9ecc\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ll attempt to put him at ease.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e8b301f48c064d69b4507bc8ff8701fa\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No. I think the member\u2019s answered it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002299ad46cf0dbd4f7581e04742b93dad5f\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I\u2019d like to answer more fully, to put the member at ease.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fc14c9c32eff4969a5ea447ced90ecef\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No. I think, given the response, that is almost impossible. The member will resume his seat.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002230d2991729394ff894d3cafd6e906c21\u0022\u003EHon Nathan Guy\u003C/span\u003E: He\u2019ll be back to correct that one. Why did the Minister\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec8842869c984762b8e7b953d519281e\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member just lost that supplementary.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022334f446a27e04cce96ec4cdf53f2a825\u0022\u003EMigrant Worker Exploitation\u2014Government Measures\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022 data-id=\u0022d6b07f0ac84f418ba8d7c64a5934cf0f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d6b07f0ac84f418ba8d7c64a5934cf0f\u0022\u003EMARJA LUBECK (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What actions has the Government taken recently to tackle migrant worker exploitation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022 data-id=\u0022c8eb016dab924519b45355f65f87f3e5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c8eb016dab924519b45355f65f87f3e5\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety):\u003C/span\u003E The Government is working on a number of fronts to tackle migrant exploitation. Recently, a couple who owned an Auckland-based restaurant were sentenced on charges relating to exploitation of their workers, resulting in 26 months\u2019 imprisonment for one and eight months\u2019 home detention for the other. This is the first custodial sentence for migrant exploitation in New Zealand, sending a strong message that migrant exploitation will not be tolerated.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002236a45ea834564535bb18cbdd6593cb1b\u0022\u003EMarja Lubeck\u003C/span\u003E: What are the Government\u2019s further plans to address migrant worker exploitation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002279d2e506bd424cb2923d9825873d6686\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: I note that of the labour inspectorate\u2019s investigations of the current financial year, more than half involve migrant workers. That\u2019s why we are committed to increasing the resourcing for, and doubling the number of, labour inspectors. We will soon initiate an inquiry into migrant exploitation, and we are working on a number of fronts to stamp out the shameful exploitation of international students.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f677db8b-66c5-4794-953c-bdf7aa425710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c284d3de184f426687f39edc09343cc2\u0022\u003EMarja Lubeck\u003C/span\u003E: And why is the Government tackling migrant worker exploitation?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a447c358b3ae4f1698fd64cbc87f7c32\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: Exploitation is a source of human misery and is simply not acceptable in New Zealand. We need to be known as a nation that upholds workers\u2019 rights and a great place for migrants to live and work. The good employers should not be undermined by rogues who exploit their workers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022258074d3f2e846ea86f2318149b73110\u0022\u003EUnemployment Rate\u2014Government Measures and M\u0101ori Unemployment Rate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022 data-id=\u0022758c4172651a4867acbc1a2eecebf984\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022758c4172651a4867acbc1a2eecebf984\u0022\u003EHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Employment: Does he stand by all of his statements?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022 data-id=\u0022f20b3cc5d47b4c85b3ef525c508d5e5f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f20b3cc5d47b4c85b3ef525c508d5e5f\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister of Employment):\u003C/span\u003E Sometimes you make statements that make perfect sense at the time. Look at the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bill English. In October, he\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c45bfc4662e24d639d6dd9b7011c0087\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member will resume his seat. The member didn\u2019t start well when he involved me in the answer, and he was going to continue in an out-of-order way. The member will now stand and answer the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cf504a9e9ead4818bda70eb7a34043b7\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: At the time of making them, yes, in context.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222f46857229ba4e0d8f4a5ad9d8115434\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Supplementary\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ef70ab49b4af4737ba519c8e7dee0952\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: So that\u2019s one down.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d6e55fd564fc4d23876e3fc467b13619\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Was he serious with his answer to my question yesterday on why he thinks New Zealand has the lowest unemployment rate in 10 years: that the current Government has done a great job in the past few months?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f0800ce14b554e118488c28b3fd87a51\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: I was absolutely serious with my answer yesterday. This Government has done fantastic work in the last few months, and it\u2019s getting better by the day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002296e00b628821432090019ba60c2a1681\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Does he stand by his admission on Radio New Zealand National last week that M\u0101ori unemployment had indeed fallen 20 percent in 2017; and, if so, how does he explain that fall?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f762ca6a1cf4441ab9669e0781185f9c\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I do stand by my statement on Radio New Zealand National that, obviously, unemployment has dropped by 20 percent. There\u2019s no problem with admitting that. The figures that the member refers to above relate to a drop in unemployment when comparing M\u0101ori with M\u0101ori annually. What the member appears to be missing is that my emphasis was that the M\u0101ori unemployment rate, when compared to the general population, has dropped by only 2.9 percent, and sits at 9 percent\u2014double the rate of unemployment for the general population.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d0d661c2f8074b77aba8edf24e3cfd1f\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister happy with the trend this year in the unemployment rate in Northland?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ca66c655c46549be8177116d7e890502\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: We\u2019ve got some programmes in Northland. Things are getting better, but there\u2019s a lot of work to be done. We\u2019re going to get certain programmes in there targeting youth, and we\u2019re going to get resourcing and funding out that the previous Government refused to support.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002253f86481-33c1-48b2-893b-c11cc0bd673d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ec1b3895b46c442f82316715fbd7f43d\u0022\u003EHon Paul Goldsmith\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I asked a simple question\u2014was he happy with something\u2014and he made no effort at all to answer that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022766b8e807c2444029ddabd7a2b2b2526\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I think he did, right at the beginning. He addressed it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d8dfdda44fa94d37aef6c2684b994b3d\u0022\u003ERino Tirikatene\u003C/span\u003E: Why do young people continue to be at the forefront of the Government\u2019s employment strategy?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e0c94a2a6e054f78b5f1954f97186cc5\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No. I\u2019m happy to listen to the Minister explain to me how that relates to his previous answer. If he can relate it to his previous answer, he can answer it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e413d8118a8b41fc8f63b41721afd2be\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, Mr Speaker, what was the previous answer? Can I just clarify what the previous answer was\u2014in terms of M\u0101ori youth?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022419eff8b287e4f6b8f33a7be37404991\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No. I think we\u2019ll just\u2014[Interruption] Order! I think we\u2019re just going to scrub this one. We\u2019re going to scrub this one now, because I don\u2019t think Mr Tirikatene\u2019s question related to a particular statement that the Minister had made.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002255cddcbab144425d80142f41959bd22d\u0022\u003ERino Tirikatene\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002286d3f0580cc946f1a7a99d6ee3543405\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m willing to hear from the member.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225fc4408d1c3c419996e84894532e08fa\u0022\u003ERino Tirikatene\u003C/span\u003E: My question related to young people, in particular in the context of young M\u0101ori people, which has been part of the interchange on this question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a0ef9456626b40bdb61af2e825bc7a55\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: Speaking to the point of order, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221cdbee16caa845a78c7358a8b2928bc1\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Speaking to the point of order\u2014you\u2019re going to support him, are you, Mr Brownlee?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022baad50172c954db9b06a143e05c2d3dc\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: No, I\u2019m not, but I would support a continuation of questions going to the Minister. The primary question says, \u201CDoes he stand by all his statements?\u201D Now, it would be very easy for the vast machinery of the Government to have come up with a supplementary question today that would have met the requirements of question time relating to the primary question. I think you\u2019ve been very generous in saying, \u201CCan you relate it to the previous question?\u201D, but it\u2019s a bit hard when the previous question was answered by the Minister with a series of stats that we\u2019re quite sure, on this side of the House, did not relate to the question. But that\u2019s for another day.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002206a7a7e56b274d62abef7d41ae4c6397\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: It was a lovely speech, but I\u2019m not quite sure how I should rule on it. I think I\u2019m going to rule on it by going on to question No. 12.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002274c052da976f4d1c8dd26dca848148bf\u0022\u003ECharter Schools\u2014Minister for Youth\u2019s Meetings and Prime Minister\u2019s Youth Awards\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022 data-id=\u00226efea2e6d9ba4250ab5b343717391742\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226efea2e6d9ba4250ab5b343717391742\u0022\u003ECHRIS BISHOP (National\u2014Hutt South)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Youth: What steps has he taken to ensure maximum opportunities for the positive engagement and contribution of M\u0101ori youth?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022 data-id=\u002254e44636672343cda04e339e23560bc4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002254e44636672343cda04e339e23560bc4\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE (Minister for Youth):\u003C/span\u003E For New Zealand to thrive now and in the future, all young Kiwis need to have the capacity, capability, and resilience to be the best they can be. As Minister for Youth, maximising opportunities for all of New Zealand\u2019s young people, including M\u0101ori youth, is a key priority for me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c28ad625b3dc460b98feddd8d947e75b\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: What conversations\u2014[Interruption]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d79cac4236b245f0ad77e31eb0166064\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Both those interjections\u2014each of them\u2014result in an extra supplementary for the National Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022070d3dbeae1945ebacded262b1ed4227\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: What conversations or discussions has he had with partnership schools?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fb64d34ec81b4a1a9ad9c9d48c83696a\u0022\u003EHon Chris Hipkins\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Minister for Youth has no ministerial responsibility for conversations with partnership schools.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002223cc02698f32458e812826f28eb8c374\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, and I\u2019m willing to let the question go forward. It may be that the Minister for Youth in that portfolio has had a discussion with a charter school. We know that it wouldn\u2019t be his direct ministerial responsibility, but it might have happened as part of his portfolio and if it hasn\u2019t happened, it\u2019s very easy for him to answer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225fddfaa47ebf429b825aa4ca0bfd3d45\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: None.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226432c5d67ba64b3cb2166df833907953\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Has he visited a partnership school?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228074fa0a9c6a4a6a8d389a6e4be2f0c7\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, I think that that one can now\u2014given the fact that the Minister has clearly said he\u2019s had no discussions, I don\u2019t think he would visit one and not talk to anyone, and, therefore, that\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e6b4dc55-3561-49a8-a871-ae005354ef90\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225fb7c51976eb40b298e8a8f38bf9c165\u0022\u003EHon Gerry Brownlee\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. There could well be quite a difference, despite your immediate reaction to that, and I think that the problem here is that we\u2019ve got a Minister for Youth who has a very broad responsibility for representation of youth and also a very big responsibility to know what youth issues are. He stated in his primary answer that his concern is particularly for the development of M\u0101ori youth, and it wouldn\u2019t be unreasonable, then, to ask the question, has he visited a partnership school? He may not have talked to staff.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002210d61825b46846f6826846c492864fd9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: OK, on the basis that the Minister might have visited a school and spoken to no one, the Minister can answer the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002227cf1472b3bf4610b32ece677bd89d49\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: Not in my capacity as the Minister for Youth.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f95c11f9ab644e2494b63255726d0805\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Can he confirm that the Prime Minister gave him a stern talking-to for allowing her to appear in a photo at the Prime Minister\u2019s own Youth Awards with a student at a partnership school?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223c5f66b2432a4c0eb5a6a89288c571fb\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: We are very proud of all of the young people who receive awards at the Prime Minister\u2019s awards. Look, we don\u2019t have the background of every member who received a certificate, and I can tell this House that it was over 160 young people who walked across that stage. It is impossible for us to know the background and the school of each student.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002257e41e9d-285b-4fb3-847d-a63820ae7137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227a92ef2677a440389774d0ac2443cd17\u0022\u003EChris Bishop\u003C/span\u003E: Is he saying, then, further to that answer, that if the Minister and his office and his department had known that a student who was going to receive a Prime Minister\u2019s youth award was from a partnership school, they would not have received the award?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f06cb0fc5b8f4449aa50776a56472cbc\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: We were there to celebrate youth, and that is the kaupapa; as each one walked across that stage, they received a warm handshake and congratulations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002212a1c1bec503457fbd591da1e442262a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Hipkins?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d1ac0a61668046648d1a54e417833c60\u0022\u003EHon Chris Hipkins\u003C/span\u003E: Normally, you would say that that brings to the end questions for oral answer; that\u2019s what I was waiting for.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002239091d8cf38241a5bd1d2adb3ba83b6d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, it does.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00228e8516db1e634e4d85cbd41c2bc841c2\u0022\u003ESale and Supply of Alcohol (Renewal of Licences) Amendment Bill (No 2)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00220dd66f5c8adb4a4ca555f000203e3bd9\u0022\u003EIntroduction\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u00227d7810fc6a0048d4a49ff9c6934a9591\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227d7810fc6a0048d4a49ff9c6934a9591\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E In accordance with discussions of the Business Committee, I seek leave for the order of the day for the first reading of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Renewal of Licences) Amendment Bill to be discharged and for the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Renewal of Licences) Amendment Bill (No 2) to be introduced and set down as members\u2019 order of the day No. 5.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EFor the information of the House, the bill is in the name of Louisa Wall and it was incorrectly drafted by the Office of the Clerk. The result is that the sole substantive provision in the bill makes reference to a non-existent section of the principal Act. If the bill had not been replaced, then the House would debate a bill that contains a fundamental error, and if it passed first reading it would likely be confusing for the public who wish to make submissions on it. By granting leave, the House will enable the bill to be replaced with one that contains the accurate amendment. I note that the error was made by the Office of the Clerk and not by the member in charge of the bill, whose submitted draft cited the correct sections of the principal Act.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022a11316123517429e93090007e71e3bec\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a11316123517429e93090007e71e3bec\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There appears to be none. But before I call on the Clerk to give the bill its introduction, I do want to remind members that when bills are drafted by other people in their names, they are responsible for checking them before putting them in the ballot. It is the sole responsibility of the member, and I think the member concerned is exceptionally lucky that the House has been this generous.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022484bf0b785504c4ca28555bae1d9f5b5\u0022\u003EGeneral Debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00228877e7792aca4afd9adaee33c207c748\u0022\u003EGeneral Debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022 data-id=\u0022f66614fd652e46fd90418d8d282dc79e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f66614fd652e46fd90418d8d282dc79e\u0022\u003ERt Hon BILL ENGLISH (Leader of the Opposition):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the House take note of miscellaneous business. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EIf there\u2019s any issue that shows the growing gap between intention and reality on the part of this Government, it\u2019s the shambles around partnership schools. If you want an illustration of the shambles, it\u2019s this: the achievement of a student\u2014in fact, a number of students; it could be up to four\u2014from a partnership school has become an embarrassment for the Labour Government, because they turned up at the Prime Minister\u2019s awards and she found herself, embarrassingly, in a photo with a young New Zealander whose achievement was being recognised but in a school where the Labour Party doesn\u2019t like its legal form.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EHow ridiculous can it be? These high-sounding intentions about education, the aspirations of our young people, and a Prime Minister embarrassed about the achievement of what may be some of New Zealand\u2019s most vulnerable young people, whose effort and inspiration was recognised at those awards. So that\u2019s where the Labour Government\u2019s got us to: achievement is embarrassing if it\u2019s the wrong person from the wrong school. I have absolutely no doubt that under the management of this Government, if they had known those young people were coming to get Prime Minister\u2019s awards, they would have made sure it did not happen\u2014they would have made sure it did not happen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s before you get to the somewhat delicate issue of the M\u0101ori Cabinet Ministers doing deals with the schools that they sponsored. Look, it was always going to be a bit difficult\u2014well, New Zealand First should be listening to this, because it\u2019s special treatment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d86b7a5843ad4ffab702159364a1925a\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I know this is a robust debate, but a member\u2014and a member like that one, in terms of his seniority in this House\u2014cannot allege deals of the character and the nature that he\u2019s alleging. That may be common in some political parties, but it\u2019s not with this Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002281ff5bc77d08423db090cf737b40e9f9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No\u2014[Interruption] Order! I think this is a robust debate, and, in my view, in this context, the word \u201Cdeal\u201D is not necessarily out of order. I don\u2019t think there was an implication of corruption, and therefore I\u2019ll allow the member to continue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022deba611bed244713946f9ec39736f78a\u0022\u003ERt Hon BILL ENGLISH\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s really a simple issue. There\u2019re a number of partnership schools. Some of them were sponsored by people who are now Cabinet Ministers, and there\u2019s growing evidence that Cabinet Ministers\u2014the Cabinet; these are Ministers covered by the collective responsibility of Cabinet\u2014on the one hand, have made Cabinet decisions to pass legislation to close the schools, because that\u2019s what the legislation does, but, on the other hand, are, behind closed doors, having discussions. Now, what are those discussions about? It\u2019s probably not about closing the schools earlier; it\u2019s probably about how they can ensure the survival of those schools that they sponsored. It\u2019s completely understandable; it just shows you how ridiculous the policy is, that a Cabinet includes Ministers who sponsored partnership schools, know the value of them, and want to keep them open. Isn\u2019t it unfortunate that they happen to be two M\u0101ori Ministers with M\u0101ori schools, which makes the other schools\u2014the Pacific schools and the other more mainstream schools\u2014feel like they don\u2019t have special access to Cabinet Ministers who will advocate for them?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EWhat\u2019s most disturbing here is that the Prime Minister does not understand what is going on. I mean, what we are seeing here is a big backdown, and it\u2019s getting slippery and difficult and, I would suggest, legally complex.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EWe found out today that the Government may be legally liable for payments of up to $15 million, not for more education but to actually stop the education. They may have to pay out $15 million to stop the superior, better education of 1,500 of New Zealand\u2019s most vulnerable children. How ridiculous is that? I mean, they used to promise to spend more money on more education, and now they look like they\u2019re stuck with spending $15 million on no education, to actually stop that happening. The Prime Minister has illustrated continuing embarrassment about this\u2014does not understand the legislation is a guillotine. It chops the partnership schools. They\u2019re going to pass a law to close them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EThe only issue is on what basis those schools will be allowed to reopen, and today I asked her two things. A guarantee: if they believe these schools should continue in a different form, then the Government should, before negotiations, guarantee those children\u2014that\u2019s who it\u2019s for\u2014that if the school closes on Friday once Parliament legislates to close them\u2014[Time expired]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bb158206-360b-4757-8d72-f7d0994e1fb3\u0022\u003EDebate interrupted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002297edfb925b1c45e68000eef99e96679d\u0022\u003EPoints of Order\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022251cb92267d647dc8d0aeca4446b6c27\u0022\u003EUrgent Debate Application\u2014Progress\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022 data-id=\u0022f8e6eda5880b4bb78808a83df7f36c43\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f8e6eda5880b4bb78808a83df7f36c43\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader\u2014ACT):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. In accordance with the Standing Orders, I reissued a request made yesterday for an application for an urgent debate on a matter. I notice you haven\u2019t acknowledged or ruled on that. Is it not normal for the Speaker to rule on an application for an urgent debate?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u00229f873ad27774472a8ad44662d7bf2e8a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229f873ad27774472a8ad44662d7bf2e8a\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The letter was opened in my office after question time had started. I will consider it and rule on it tomorrow.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002234ad3b6bda6149d2966e9cf5c51ed71e\u0022\u003EGeneral Debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a7d33a1e012d4bf1a1499535746ad689\u0022\u003EGeneral Debate\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000278\u0022\u003EDebate resumed.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022 data-id=\u00225f36ce7152ce4e2cb7b2f91e4ac64b6d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225f36ce7152ce4e2cb7b2f91e4ac64b6d\u0022\u003EJAN LOGIE (Green):\u003C/span\u003E Firstly, I need to acknowledge the passing of a kuia of the Wellington LGBTIQ community, Dana de Milo, in recent days. She was one of our torch holders who created space for so many of us to walk into, and she will be sorely missed by many\u2014moe mai r\u0101, Dana.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EBut speaking of great queens, it is pride season. Pride is a time of celebration and affirmation for people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, takat\u0101pui, whakawahine, tangata ira t\u0101ne, fa\u2018afafine, fakaleiti, \u2018akava\u2018ine, mahu, vaka sa lewa lewa, rae rae, fiafifine, fakafifine, hijra, gender-fluid, gender-queer, pansexual, asexual, queer, and questioning.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EWhile we have come a long way as a country from when homosexuality and trans people were criminalised, we are still a long way from fully realising our human rights. For many of us, our moments of peace and our moments of celebration have been hard fought for, so celebrations, in fact, are often acts of defiance as well as an expression of joy, and, at times, they are also, all too often, an act of mourning.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EMy ability to stand here open and proud of my lesbian identity comes from the bravery and political advocacy of my elders, like Dana, so I am proud to stand as a Green Party MP to ensure that this House and our political platform enables all the members of my community to find a strong place to stand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s all too often that I hear about the premature death of queer and trans people\u2014sadly, mostly trans people\u2014within my community because they could not find that place to stand. We all grieve for them and ourselves that we still live in a world where some lives seem to matter more. So, in the spirit of pride, I would like to draw the House\u2019s attention today to some of the work that we need to do to help provide a strong place for my community to stand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EI do want to acknowledge the Minister James Shaw, the Minister of Statistics, for the leadership and support he is offering Statistics New Zealand to make sure that the data is collected to enable us to make our case to the Government for funding. I also want to acknowledge Pharmac for its decision to fund pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an HIV prevention tool in the tool kit to end HIV by 2025. And I also want to celebrate the opportunity in the select committee at the moment, in the Governance and Administration Committee, that gives us the opportunity to create a system that ensures that changes to gender markers on official documents are easy to use, consistent across passports, drivers\u2019 licences, and birth certificates, and are based on a principle of self-identification. So progress is being made, but there are still outstanding issues that we need to turn our focus to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EWe need to ensure that access to gender affirmation surgery and services is available in all district health boards (DHBs). A survey in 2014 of DHBs showed that nine of them said that they provided no healthcare services at all to trans people in this country. Now, that is unacceptable, and when we know that trans people can be waiting between 40 and 70 years to access surgery, we really do have to think that maybe this appalling failure and the gulf between need and supply could only be a result of an attitude that is prejudiced and trivialising, and we need to take action on this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003EWe also need to do more work to ensure that our schools are safe and inclusive for our young people. They are unsafe at the moment and lead and contribute to high rates of suicide. There is much that we need to do to unleash the fabulosity of my community, and I hope this House will help.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022 data-id=\u002280d07630226d466386e52ac86cc70adf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002280d07630226d466386e52ac86cc70adf\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE (National\u2014Auckland Central):\u003C/span\u003E Look, I\u2019m really pleased to speak in this general debate, and what I would say is that on my birthday, I went out and walked with a group of people down Queen Street to protest against the closure of partnership schools in New Zealand. What I can say to you is, for all of the messages that we have from some people\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226aee362924bf4effac4ffad93f5d91b7\u0022\u003EHon Ruth Dyson\u003C/span\u003E: Scaremongerer. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022804f1eaf21514f838ae7b0a06aa73290\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014on the other side of the House about scaremongering, let\u2019s talk about the facts for a moment. Fact number one: the Government has put legislation before this House that does not say that every partnership school can remain open. What it says is that either the model will be gone and the schools will close\u2014their contracts will remain until 2020, 2022\u2014or, by mutual determination, they\u2019re gone. So any message by the Prime Minister or members from the other side of the House that, somehow, the partnership schools themselves will be saved is wrong, factually incorrect, and not true, and it does not reflect the legislation before this House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EThe second point is\u2014as the leader has already said today\u2014the financial cost to that, we heard from the Ministry of Education this morning, is potentially $15 million. Why? Why are they doing this? Because the Prime Minister says these schools are broken. You tell that young head girl who stood up at the partnership schools rally that these schools are broken. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fa722261234247f8aaa4264dd08eb7ff\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022933b7103334b4886a5a04184941ba22d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: A point of order, the Rt Hon Winston Peters. Nikki Kaye, sit down, please. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00223d49aeac-8adf-497b-9400-ab7bb077bb8d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221d801dd7e8374dc1a8aac3613dcc8b04\u0022\u003ERt Hon Winston Peters\u003C/span\u003E: Members of Parliament cannot bring you into the debate, and especially ones that have been here for a little time. They should have learnt that a long, long time ago. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c86d7855bb7c4e0d845d7f437a12a7fc\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The member is correct, and I\u2019m sure the Hon Nikki Kaye will take more care from now. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002265bbeb866cc94b25840bfa0725558fbe\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE\u003C/span\u003E: These schools are not broken. In fact, I\u2019ve just seen Vanguard Military School\u2019s excellent results. What they are doing for young M\u0101ori is hugely significant\u2014another thing that we\u2019ve heard. Basically, all these schools want to know\u2014yes, it is correct the Government is talking to them about whether they will reopen, but they want to know that they have a future. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EThe reality is they\u2019ve got a Minister going out there saying that his preference is that they all close. They\u2019ve got some Ministers potentially behind the scenes having backroom discussions\u2014the Prime Minister has already confirmed that. We\u2019ve got some pretty serious allegations there, and all they want is fairness and justice and the ability to continue the futures of these young people. And what have they had? They\u2019ve had a complete shambles. We\u2019ve got potential legal cases, we\u2019ve got Treaty of Waitangi issues, we\u2019ve now got potential preferential treatment by Ministers, and we\u2019ve got kids upset on the streets, giving speeches about the fact that they had mental health issues and these schools helped them. Why? Why is this happening? They\u2019ve said \u201Cprinciple\u201D; I say \u201Cideology\u201D. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003EWhat we need is all members of Parliament to try and force the Government\u2014and I know the support is there. I know that\u2019s why Willie, I know that\u2019s why Kelvin, I know that\u2019s why Peeni\u2014you are out there\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002279fcc09b096448af8a3a30a370fdd697\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c7999d5fa3d44f2395f920fcce8b6fe4\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014trying to speak up\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229ac5fd489b704705aa90e6562eb041c5\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! No. [Interruption] That\u2019s not helpful. The member does know that the members should be addressed by their titles or by their full names, not by their first names. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ed2d10c1-43b7-41d9-9f5c-0c313f70e625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222b9fc60f2a88417d875498f43d07c706\u0022\u003EHon NIKKI KAYE\u003C/span\u003E: Well, look, at the end of the day, there are a whole lot of kids, some with pretty vulnerable issues. Their schools are closing and the Government will have to accept responsibility for that. Some of them may stay open, and we are fighting hard to ensure that the Government gives those schools the certainty, because those kids deserve to know. There are major questions to be asked around the costs and the legal questions, but also we\u2019ve got these issues of potential preferential treatment. The Opposition will keep the foot down. The reason we\u2019ll do that is because of the grandmother and the young person that spoke at the rally, because these schools are making a significant difference to the lives of young people. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u00221b320b7349a24872abde7ba719b7c3df\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221b320b7349a24872abde7ba719b7c3df\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education):\u003C/span\u003E I want to begin today by acknowledging the Rt Hon Bill English and his decision to stand down from Parliament after close to 28 years of service to this House and to the people of New Zealand. He deserves to be acknowledged. I haven\u2019t always agreed with Bill English\u2014in fact, I have probably disagreed with him more than I have agreed with him\u2014but I think he does deserve to be recognised for the service he has given to the people of New Zealand and for the determination that he has shown over that period of time through a number of ups and downs that he\u2019s experienced in this House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EIt feels pretty good to be on this side of the House at the moment as part of a strong, cohesive, united Government that is delivering for New Zealand. We passed the Families Package, which provided a boost in incomes for 385,000 New Zealand families. We extended paid parental leave to 26 weeks. We are increasing the minimum wage. We are improving the conditions of people in workplaces by strengthening employment laws. We are banning overseas speculators from buying New Zealand\u2019s houses. We have stopped the sell-off of State houses. We have made sure that rental homes are going to be warm and dry and healthy. We have started KiwiBuild so that we can get more houses built and added to the property market. We\u2019ve resumed contributions to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund so that we can provide security for New Zealanders in their retirement. We are on track to meet our surplus target and start paying back the record levels of debt that we inherited from the previous National Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EI would note that almost every one of those things has been opposed by the National Opposition. They have been opposed by the National Opposition who, of course, are now somewhat distracted\u2014somewhat distracted because the race is under way as to who is going to be the leader of the National Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EI do believe one of the things that was stated today by one of those contenders, Simon Bridges, when he said, \u201CI\u2019m focused on Simon Bridges\u201D. Everybody in the House will believe that Simon Bridges is focused on Simon Bridges. He clearly appears to be appealing to the young fogey contingent within the National Party; that\u2019s his key demographic. A barbecue at Simon\u2019s place has already had the desired effect\u2014the vacancy has been created and he\u2019s off.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s the same with Judith Collins. Now, it will be interesting to see how Judith Collins fares. It\u2019s a little bit like giving the wicketkeeper a bowl when you\u2019re playing cricket. It means you\u2019ve given up on winning the game. That would be what would happen if Judith Collins was to become the leader of the National Party. It would be like an admission of defeat and they just needed somebody to fill in the shoes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EThere is, of course, Amy Adams. She is the ultimate compromise candidate\u2014the worst of everything. She is the worst of everything\u2014no values, no profile, and absolutely nothing that would be attractive to the voters. By the time Amy Adams is done preparing for her race, the race will be over, but she\u2019s certainly in the running.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EThen, of course, we\u2019ve got Jonathan Coleman. I have been told on good authority that Jonathan Coleman has secured his first vote to be the leader of the National Party. It is his own, but he has at least determined that he is going to be voting for himself.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EThen, of course, we\u2019ve got Steven Joyce. He\u2019s mulling it over. He\u2019s just trying to figure out whether he\u2019s got a ladder tall enough to get himself out of his $11 billion hole so that he can make a run for the top job of the National Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EBut then there is the mystery candidate out the back there: Mark Mitchell, who\u2019s throwing his name into the ring. Mark Mitchell used to be dog handler. That could come in handy if he does succeed in becoming the next leader of the New Zealand National Party. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EI feel like I\u2019ve watched this movie before, as the National Party tears itself limb from limb as they decide who the next leader of their party is going to be. And it is nice to be part of a strong, cohesive, and unified Government that\u2019s focused on delivering for New Zealanders. We have seen real results in the first three or four months that we have been in Government and we are barely getting warmed up. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EHowever, I do want to say to Bill English that I was disappointed with his general debate speech today. As much as I acknowledge his record of service in this House, I thought it was disappointing that he used his final general debate speech to belittle the accomplishments of young people who were recognised in the Prime Minister\u2019s youth awards. I think that the House can expect better from Mr English. I\u2019m sure we will get that when he delivers his valedictory speech, which will be more befitting him and better recognise the years of service he has given to this House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022 data-id=\u00225d343a41f0b549ab8850bd017239b1f0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225d343a41f0b549ab8850bd017239b1f0\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON (National\u2014Taup\u014D):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. Actually, the Rt Hon Bill English spoke about real results\u2014real results for real people, actually, who had faced some real challenges in life, and it was the previous Government who introduced an innovative solution to delivering education to children that weren\u2019t being served in the mainstream system. So I am proud, and Bill English is proud, that we have given young people opportunities that they wouldn\u2019t otherwise have been given.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003EI want to comment on another part of the record of the last decade. The Salvation Army this morning actually released in its state of the nation report the trends over the past 10 years, and it is, of course, no mistake that over the majority of that period of time the Rt Hon Bill English was the finance Minister and then the Prime Minister. This is not just talking about economic results, about economic progress; it talks about really important progress in social areas, whether it\u2019s jobs, incomes, crime, benefits, or child poverty. So I wanted to focus some of my time in this general debate on real results.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003EPrime Minister Ardern has talked about the fact that she wants to be held accountable. We\u2019re still waiting to hear what she wants to be held accountable for, but I thought I would actually talk about some of the record of the previous Prime Minister, whether it\u2019s in areas of job creation, whether it\u2019s income growth, whether it\u2019s declining benefits, or whether it\u2019s lifting children out of material hardship. These are not our words; these are the Salvation Army\u2019s. One of the real hallmarks of Bill English\u2019s time in this place, nearly 28 years, is his absolute commitment to putting data in the hands of others to help us as a country to solve our real challenges. So it\u2019s recognising that it might be an iwi organisation, it might be a partnership school that\u2019s run by a local iwi or Pasifika, it might be in a place-based initiative\u2014very grassroots community organisations that are helping to solve the challenges of real people with real needs, whether it was lifting the minimum wage, whether it was increasing benefits for the first time in 40 years, or whether it was reducing the number of children living in hardship by 135,000.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019m looking forward to that Government opening the books, showing data, and providing more data than we\u2019ve previously seen in the last nine years of Government\u2014opening the door for others to help solve the problems, instead of shutting them down, like they\u2019re doing with partnership schools at the moment, and actually allowing others in to work with the Government of the day. But you\u2019ve said you want to be accountable for results, so what have you said so far?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d285243934ae4a728a7ae94476c33feb\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229dd78259797440cd85bbdac45418e06f\u0022\u003EHon LOUISE UPSTON\u003C/span\u003E: That Government have said they\u2019re going to be held accountable for results. A billion trees\u2014a billion trees. We\u2019re looking forward to how many have already been planted. A hundred thousand homes\u2014now, that can\u2019t be counting the ones that were already under way, so we\u2019re looking forward to those results. And 30,000 fewer immigrants\u201430,000. So those are the numbers that that side of the House have put out there. We will be watching and we will be counting, and we will be enabling and ensuring that others across the country are also watching and holding this Government to account.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a68928ea-9dd8-4a30-8e2c-a0f49dfc8bea\u0022\u003EIf I look at the record of an extraordinary New Zealander who yesterday announced he was leaving Parliament after nearly 28 years of service, I\u2019m not looking at his report; I\u2019m looking at the Salvation Army report. And I\u2019m looking at the increased number of jobs, I\u2019m looking at increased wages, I\u2019m looking at the reduced number of people on benefit, and, more importantly, the reduced number of children living in material hardship. That was delivered under this Government. I\u2019m looking to see what the record of the other side will be to deliver for real people with real challenges, because, to be fair, the record isn\u2019t so great when the first thing you want to do\u2014the first thing in education that Labour wants to do\u2014is strip the opportunity of the very children you purport to support.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022 data-id=\u0022e4d340b83a514e11ae16ba08b1839daf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e4d340b83a514e11ae16ba08b1839daf\u0022\u003EHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Associate Minister of Agriculture):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Mr Speaker. Otir\u0101, e ng\u0101 mema o Te Whare nei. T\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou katoa. I too want to acknowledge the 27-plus years of the Rt Hon Bill English. I just want to mihi to him for his 27-plus years of service, and I also want to send my best wishes to him, and to Mary and the family, in his next journey of life. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve just come from almost 10, 12-odd days of a brilliant Waitangi weekend, and I want to talk about the positivity that the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, with her Cabinet Ministers and colleagues in the Government, displayed up in Waitangi. Five long days\u2014the longest any Prime Minister in modern Government has ever contributed to the founding day of our great nation. There she was, moving amongst people with ease, sending out the positive vision that she, with this Government, has for this nation. I was proud, along with many of the members of the Government, to be alongside her as she moved seamlessly amongst groups, large and small\u2014iwi chairs, rangatahi M\u0101ori, the M\u0101ori wardens, and the M\u0101ori Women\u2019s Welfare League, not to mention the many others that she engaged with. So I want to mihi to our Northland members, who ensured that we had a successful five days celebrating in Waitangi. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EBut, as the Minister in charge of animal welfare, I take animal welfare issues very seriously, and I have to say that this Opposition will need a good vet at the leadership gallops\u2014or should I say \u201Ctrots\u201D\u2014to make sure none of the horses will have been tampered with who are lining up to take over from the Rt Hon Bill English. It is with regret that we note that \u201CBilly Boy\u201D, the old favourite from the South, has finally been retired to a paddock outside Winton\u2014good luck and a long life, munching on those Southland swedes and watching this race. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThe first question, though, is what kind of track is this? Hard and fast? Soft and slow? A bit of bounce? That might let someone keen and unexpected charge through the field, like the old show pony \u201CCraven Coleman\u201D, bloodline out of \u201CNaked Opportunity\u201D and \u201CDesperation\u201D. He may still come out of nowhere to surprise, but he will break a leg and will then have to be put down, like the last time he ran. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThen we have \u201CCrusher Collins\u201D in the blue silks, who may also be guilty of interference when that two-year-old \u201CBrylcreem Bridges\u201D tries to pass her on the inside. Look for the illegal use of the whip. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EAnd the use of the whip, or whips, may have to be carefully examined by the stewards of this race. Whatever, I hope the stewards have got their eyes peeled for horse tranquillisers by the gallon, not for the horses but for us, the poor spectators. One thing for sure is there will be endless jockeying before they even hit the last bend. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EIn the last few minutes, I do want to return back to the serious notion of governing the nation for all New Zealanders and lay out the plan of Labour, with the Greens and New Zealand First, in terms of the first 100 days and beyond. I want to particularly acknowledge the restarting of our Superannuation Fund, which contributes to ensuring that the age of super stays at 65, which is a big issue for the constituents of Ikaroa-R\u0101whiti; the Families Package, which my colleague the Hon Chris Hipkins acknowledged; the ban on overseas speculators, which is definitely going to help in terms of the house availability in my electorate; and, of course, the stopping of the mass sell-off of State houses. These policies put in place by this Labour-led Government, with our coalition partners, is a commitment that this Government is here to do the business. It is here to do the business that nine years of that National Government failed to achieve. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003ECan I also point out that it is very clear that when we come to charter schools, we have made it clear that we are not shutting down charter schools. I will say it again: we are not shutting down charter schools. We are actually saying that there won\u2019t be any more opened. Like Minister Hipkins has said, as we speak, Ministry of Education officials are speaking with every single charter school, up and down this country, on a case by case basis and in an open and transparent way around the future educational needs for their young people. That\u2019s a Government committed to doing the right thing by all New Zealanders. Kia ora t\u0101tou katoa. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022 data-id=\u0022f73865f9b77d4a168657ee29d13c8f01\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f73865f9b77d4a168657ee29d13c8f01\u0022\u003EJO HAYES (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. I just want to correct Meka Whaitiri, the previous speaker. The Government has actually announced that they are going to be shutting down partnership schools, and the fact is that two of the MPs\u2014Crown Ministers in the Government\u2014are actually backing two of the M\u0101ori partnership schools, which has come out in the media this afternoon. It has come out in the media, so the Government cannot deny that the aim of their game is to shut down partnership schools, except for the two M\u0101ori partnership schools, of which two Ministers have got their fingers\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a19c9bcb9e094349b4bfe42cec3f224d\u0022\u003EHon Willie Jackson\u003C/span\u003E: Three.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225a719be3caa14f92a2420f5d96a897e3\u0022\u003EJO HAYES\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014three Ministers, then\u2014deeply entrenched in those schools, and that is not\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221a39d29b62d04366bf0791b5be1f1400\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! I think the member\u2019s got to be very careful with the tone and direction of the comments she\u2019s making.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fdc4c12a1dfd4b5086a8ce783874823f\u0022\u003EJO HAYES\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you. Well, anyway, going on. The announcement that was made that came out in the media this afternoon around those partnership schools, I think it does look at the other partnership schools and start to\u2014I\u2019m sure that the people that are in those partnership schools are thinking, \u201CWhat about us? What about us? We are part and parcel of a group of partnership schools that have helped, and continue to help, 1,500 vulnerable children\u201D\u2014children that could not fit within mainstream education and that did not succeed in mainstream education\u2014\u201Cand what\u2019s going to happen to them? What is going to happen to their successful futures?\u201D, because there will be no successful future for those children that are going to be mainstreamed into mainstream schools, and they are not going to succeed. Partnership schools were an avenue for these children to actually succeed, and the success was renowned, over and over again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EWhen the previous speaker talked about the Prime Minister being in Waitangi for five days\u2014and good on her\u2014I guess that a lot of those five days will be for nought if her generals do not fall in line and do not actually adhere to support some of the things that she has said. I can see that the generals are starting to fall out of line with each other, and that is not good for this country. When I start to look at some of the other areas that this Government purport to actually support M\u0101ori in, I start to look at the Wh\u0101nau Ora programme. And, as from where I stand here, as from yesterday and in previous months, I\u2019ve heard nothing about Wh\u0101nau Ora or what this Government\u2019s going to be doing for it. There\u2019s speculation out there that, perhaps, they will be reviewing it to get rid of some of the Wh\u0101nau Ora projects and programmes, and I don\u2019t know why that is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003ENow, when I asked Te Puni K\u014Dkiri today about what type of review it is, I was told it might be an independent review. It may be a ministerial review. Then we heard last year in November from the Minister on the programme The Hui that it is going to be a comprehensive review. No terms of reference\u2014we have no idea what this review\u2019s going to do, considering there was a review done on the commissioning agents last year that came out and from the review they were able to shape up their back office administration side of their business and they came out of that very well. So if you\u2019re going to do a comprehensive review, wouldn\u2019t somebody actually let the public know what type of terms of reference will actually go on with the review of Wh\u0101nau Ora?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EIt is something\u2014like, when you look at Wh\u0101nau Ora, it is about building wh\u0101nau capacity, and a lot of wh\u0101nau capacity is actually based within education outcomes. I was brought up in the knowledge that education will set you free, and yet, we\u2019re looking at partnership schools that are going to close just because there is a Government that doesn\u2019t want a successful story to go on. And they have been successful. You cannot deny that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d3db742ea4fd4fc6b62458480375f730\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227a190f5b9a744029bd95695255af362c\u0022\u003EJO HAYES\u003C/span\u003E: The Government cannot deny that\u2014I\u2019ve got you\u2014partnership schools have been successful and will continue to be successful. So why shut them down? Why close them? Why send them to the wall when something as successful as partnership schools has helped M\u0101ori and will continue to help M\u0101ori, if the Government could just get their heads out of the sand and up and looking and supporting M\u0101ori? Why aren\u2019t Government supporting M\u0101ori?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022758dcaf3-9976-43ac-8593-79f66ee4da22\u0022\u003EI believe it\u2019s because they just want to change things just because the Government thinks it can. It\u2019s not good. It\u2019s not good politics, and it\u2019s not very good leadership either. Thank you, Mr Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022 data-id=\u0022f1733315e2374ce39a180d400513cad2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f1733315e2374ce39a180d400513cad2\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON (Minister of Employment):\u003C/span\u003E After that speech, it\u2019s very clear to me that a M\u0101ori should be in charge of the National Party. There\u2019s no doubt about it. Your time\u2019s come. Their time\u2019s come. The reality is for years and years M\u0101ori have been ignored in that party. Winston Peters made a great run. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EIt was a shame Jo\u2014she left, because she\u2019s in my speech\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228d2702f27cef4908826b82540197fa64\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! The member can\u2019t refer to members leaving the Chamber.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222c7dc37b3dbb48dc89e2c4d78dd2eaf9\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: My apologies\u2014my apologies, sir. But really, the time has come for a change. We need to see a change in the National Party and a change in terms of the leadership.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EWinston Peters\u2014he could\u2019ve been the first National Party leader but, sadly, sadly, the knives came out for him. The problem the National Party has, of course, with our M\u0101ori members is that we\u2019ve got some lovely members on the other side\u2014we\u2019ve got four. I\u2019m looking at the seven M\u0101ori members on this piece of paper, and there\u2019s four lovely\u2014very lovely\u2014members. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EOne of them is sitting right over there now, Dr Shane Reti. Dr Reti over there, look, he was a fantastic doctor\u2014a fantastic doctor. And does he have aspirations? It\u2019s very hard to have aspirations in a National Party who have never promoted a M\u0101ori to the leadership. But I say to the member over there, Dr Reti, you\u2019re a fine member, you\u2019re too nice, you\u2019re too lovely for the National Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EHarete Hipango\u2014she\u2019s beautiful. She\u2019s fabulous. She\u2019s too nice, too sweet, and too lovely to take on the National Party leadership\u2014that there is no doubt.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003ENow\u2014Nuk Korako. We love Nuk. We love Nuk. He\u2019s the man. He\u2019s probably not the man for the leadership, but he\u2019s a kaum\u0101tua. He\u2019s got to whakatikatika i tana reo [fix up his language]. Peeni will work on him in terms of his reo side, but what a man. What a leader he could be if he just got a bit of support.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve got to say to Dr Reti, just get behind. There, she\u2019s come back here. That\u2019s good. Sorry there, Mr Speaker, but it\u2019s great to see the fourth member of the\u2014I was saying four lovely people, and Joanne Hayes, after the last speech, it\u2019s questionable whether she fits that bill. But I don\u2019t like your chances, Joanne, of leadership.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EBut the problem with these four is that they\u2019re in this category of \u201Clovely\u201D, but then we have \u201Cnasty\u201D, and there\u2019s three of them who fit the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003ENumber one\u2014Paula Bennett. Ooh! Woah, there\u2019s some problems there, particularly when she can go on to a marae and then, all of a sudden, talk to the media about our wonderful chairman, Huri Dennis, and then deny it all, and then run rumours about our wonderful Deputy Prime Minister and bash beneficiaries. Oh, it\u2019s a sad day when we hear that Paula Bennett has aspirations in terms of the National Party leadership. But she\u2019s M\u0101ori, and we love M\u0101ori. Some question there, but she is M\u0101ori, and good luck, Paula\u2014don\u2019t like your chances.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EThen there\u2019s old Simon\u2014Simon Bridges. Now, Simon Bridges, in terms of what\u2019s positive about him\u2014not a lot, but he\u2019s from Ng\u0101ti Maniapoto, which is my tribe. He\u2019s from Ng\u0101ti Maniapoto. That\u2019s my mum\u2019s tribe. And even though our chairman, Tiwha Bell\u2014well, he\u2019s disowned him. But even though Ng\u0101ti Maniapoto have said, \u201CGoodness gracious! Is he one of our sons?\u201D, we still support him because he\u2019s M\u0101ori. But there\u2019s a nasty edge, and we saw that on day one here, didn\u2019t we? Didn\u2019t we? He came after us. Simon\u2014he is so intent on being the leader. And he\u2019s got this group behind him\u2014these right-wing fundamentalists who so want to put him up as the leader of the National Party. But I don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to work out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003EBut the real man\u2014the person, the M\u0101ori, who should lead the National Party\u2014is Jami-Lee Ross. Jami-Lee\u2014I see, look, OK, he\u2019s got anger problems. We know that and the Speaker knows that, but we\u2019ll put him on Wh\u0101nau Ora. We\u2019ll put him on a programme. He\u2019ll come right, sir, with your counsel, with your support. We\u2019ll look after Jami. Jami\u2019s got aspiration. He\u2019s good looking. He\u2019s young. He\u2019s been ignored, you know. So he went a bit crazy one day\u2014we all know that. We all saw it. But, Mr Speaker, you\u2019ll help him. And I like Jami.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cc54ab94c5df4a34ae18b5da5b632baf\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d4c3711ee57341bd8d8a95e3cb1e7891\u0022\u003EHon WILLIE JACKSON\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, sorry, my apologies again, sir. But his main positive is he\u2019s from Ngati Porou\u2014whanaunga to myself and Peeni\u2014and I think he could go on to great things.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003ESo I say to Dr Shane Reti and Joanne Hayes over there\u2014support Jami-Lee Ross as the new leader of the National Party. Kia ora t\u0101tou.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022 data-id=\u00220a48e01774e64eba934f9e743afeefa1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220a48e01774e64eba934f9e743afeefa1\u0022\u003EERICA STANFORD (National\u2014East Coast Bays):\u003C/span\u003E I find it so interesting that the only thing the last three Labour MPs could speak about was the National Party leadership race. Do you know why that is? I\u2019ll tell you why that is. That is because they are deflecting, because the issue of the day is charter schools and they don\u2019t want to talk about it. They will do anything in their power not to talk about charter schools, and I\u2019ll tell you why.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EActually, what they\u2019ve been doing is they\u2019ve been hiding away in their offices all day thinking about clever things like horse races and dog handlers. What I\u2019ve been thinking about is the ton of garbage that has been coming out of the Labour Government over the last few months about charter schools because they are ideologically opposed to them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EThe Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern called charter schools, at the end of last year, a failed model. Well, let\u2019s take a look at the actual reality, not just that spin. Vanguard Military School is a charter school in my electorate that I will stand up for. Let\u2019s look at their results\u2014let\u2019s look at their results. The reality is Vanguard Military School\u2014their NCEA results for last year for level 2 were 89 percent compared to the national average of 77 percent. And do you know what? Those M\u0101ori MPs opposite me should be interested in the fact that Vanguard have 50 percent of their roll who are M\u0101ori students.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003ESo you know what? Given Miss Ardern\u2019s speech at Waitangi about the distance between the whare and the homestead and how that represented the difference in equality that we still have and her hopes for the future, I\u2019m sure she would be interested in Vanguard\u2019s roll-based results for last year for M\u0101ori students. Level 2\u201490 percent compared to the national average of 72. Let\u2019s look at level 3\u201495 percent compared to the national average of 55 percent. For a failed model, charter schools certainly seem to be working for M\u0101ori, and Mr Jackson knows that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EToday in question time, Jacinda Ardern was so very concerned that charter schools have unregistered teachers and don\u2019t teach to the curriculum. So let\u2019s look at her very grave concerns. The teachers are unregistered\u2014the Labour Government say it with such passion you\u2019d be forgiven for thinking that the local P dealer was teaching chemistry. The reality is that teachers of core subjects are registered teachers. Vanguard employs two unregistered teachers. One is a defence force teacher and the other one is a Te Reo teacher.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EWhat about the charter schools who are not teaching to the curriculum? Again, you\u2019d be forgiven for thinking that Vanguard students get credits for making coffee and braiding each other\u2019s hair. Well, I can tell you that Vanguard, like most other charter schools, teaches to the New Zealand curriculum. In fact, English, maths, and PE are compulsory.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003ESo why, given all of this, is it that one of the first pieces of education legislation is to get rid of these amazing schools? The reality is that these schools work; they just don\u2019t work for the unions. Unfortunately, Mr Hipkins\u2014in his inept Government, this whole issue has become a massive omnishambles.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003ELet\u2019s break it down: the negotiation process, whereby Mr Hipkins blindsided schools with two press releases that he put out with his intentions to close charter schools down, without even bothering to phone them first. Or how about Mr Hipkins\u2019 empty offer to transition charter schools to special character schools? Like the ministry meeting with Vanguard this week, for the first time, and expecting them to have an application for special character school status in by 1 April. They have to make a decision, after four years of operation, in six measly weeks. Well, that is a very bad April Fool\u2019s joke. If only Mr Hipkins was as good at talking to charter schools as he is with the Australian Labor Party.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EThen we have the Labour Party\u2019s backtracking M\u0101ori MPs: Jackson, Henare, and Davis. Kelvin Davis, my favourite one, pledged to resign from Parliament if the next Labour Government closes either of the charter schools in Whangarei. What about the charter schools in my electorate, which are also in his electorate, that he\u2019s never visited? Vanguard\u2014he has never even visited them. He hasn\u2019t even picked up the phone to call them. That is a disgrace. He has been their MP for three years, and he\u2019s never walked in the door. Why is he not standing up for the 50 percent M\u0101ori students in that school?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EAs much as I like beating up on the Government, this is about the children of those partnership schools, the children that I have visited and spoken to. I have looked in their eyes and seen the future that they now have under the charter school model that they didn\u2019t have before. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022 data-id=\u00228a8f4cabd88a4d289fbe45fa52244683\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228a8f4cabd88a4d289fbe45fa52244683\u0022\u003EWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E E Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare. What I find interesting is that, in this general debate, I would have thought that the other side would have used this as an opportunity to do their speeches for the leadership campaign. I\u2019m surprised, actually, that they didn\u2019t. They are trying to find somebody who can match the very popular Jacinda Ardern, our current Prime Minister. They are trying to find somebody with youth. They are trying to find somebody who can appeal to a different generation. We\u2019ve seen these tweets and these reports and these updates coming through. What I challenge the other side to do is to find a leader who has as much heart as our Prime Minister has. We are a Government with heart, versus the Opposition. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EI am still disturbed by some of the comments I heard in the debate yesterday on the bill for the reduction of child poverty. I heard comments like, \u201CThis will do nothing to change the outcome.\u201D, made by the Hon Paula Bennett. \u201CThis will do nothing for child poverty. This will not change the status quo.\u201D I heard quotes, for example, that, \u201COur children are in poverty because their parents make bad decisions.\u201D, and blaming it on the parents for spending money on alcohol\u2014that there are parents and there are families who don\u2019t want free lunches or the raincoats that are being offered. The challenges thrown out from the other side, for us to go to Kaikohe and see some of the great work that the other side were doing\u2014I heard blame; I heard denial; I heard personal responsibility arguments being given; I heard about economic growth being the solution to all of our problems.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EWell, what we saw today was the report released by the Salvation Army on the state of our nation. What does that report say? We\u2019ve had a 12 percent increase in families needing food parcels. It highlights the real-life impact of a decade of management that left too many people behind. Nine years of neglect. We also received another report this week on the stocktake of New Zealand\u2019s housing. The housing crisis is worse than we even knew it to be. The previous Government had no heart. They denied there was a housing crisis. They denied that child poverty was an issue.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EWell, our Government is not prepared to tolerate this. We are going to do something about it. In the first 100 days of being in Government, we have already done a significant amount of things to address these issues. But that is not it. We have got a lot more work to do, and we are absolutely committed to doing that work.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EWe heard, actually, that on the birthday of one of the members who spoke earlier, she marched about charter schools. Well, I\u2019m proud to say that on my birthday, the Hon Grant Robertson introduced the Families Package. That Families Package will benefit over 385,000 families. We introduced the Best Start payment. That is going to be of benefit to the more than 65,000 babies that are born every year in this country. We are extending Working for Families; reinstating the independent earner tax credit; increasing the accommodation supplement; the accommodation benefit; a winter energy payment that will benefit approximately one million people; and lifesaving legislation in the passing of the Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2). That is lifesaving legislation that is going to make a huge difference to the people that live in my region in Northland who are suffering from respiratory illnesses that are caused by cold, damp housing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221ebd1031-ea10-4c3d-bb56-2cd99528ae91\u0022\u003EOur priority, our focus, is to put children and to put people back at the heart of everything that we do. I was proud of our Prime Minister when she stood on my marae, at Te Whare R\u016Bnanga, on Waitangi Day saying and challenging\u2014making the statement that she wants to be judged on her actions. She wants to earn the right to stand on the mahau of that whare and to speak. She is saying to all those that come to Waitangi next year to judge her on what we deliver. We are a Government that wants to be held accountable. We are prepared to put what we want to do, and aim to do, into legislation so we can be measured against that. We have achieved a lot in the first 100 days, but there is a lot more to come. Kia ora.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022 data-id=\u0022fadcebef9fce4cbfb097646fc849482d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fadcebef9fce4cbfb097646fc849482d\u0022\u003ELAWRENCE YULE (National\u2014Tukituki):\u003C/span\u003E It gives me pleasure to speak in this general debate, and, as members on the other side have asked me to say a word, I\u2019m going to. I\u2019m actually going to talk about charter schools. What I witnessed today in question time was the biggest set of, sort of, avoiding of the issue that I\u2019ve seen so far in this House, from the Prime Minister down, actually\u2014Ministers, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Education, and the Leader of the House. What I saw was a contentious issue that nobody will actually front up on. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EI want to talk about charter schools a bit. I acknowledge the Hon Meka Whaitiri, who\u2019s in the House with us today, because we actually have a charter school, Te Kura o Mangateretere. Before the election last year, the Hon Anne Tolley and I visited that school. Sure, it doesn\u2019t have all the registered teachers and it may not meet all the criteria of mainstream education, but we saw about 30 young people that had largely been rejected by every other schooling system in the North Island\u2014from Tauranga, from Auckland, and from Whakat\u016B, which is our own local community. That school has been set up, it feeds the kids in the morning, and it teaches them in a different way, and, actually, for the first time, they were telling us they had a group of people that believed in them, were confident in them, and that could make a difference. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003ENow I accept that the Government may have an ideological difference in approach, but what I heard today was a Government that will not front up to the decisions it\u2019s about to make, and, actually, what that\u2019s about is fronting up. I challenge the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education and some of the M\u0101ori MPs, who happen to be Ministers, to front up in those schools, look those kids in the eye, and say, \u201CWe are about to change things, and, yes, we might be about to change things, but here\u2019s another way.\u201D You see, today in the House, the Prime Minister would not give the Leader of the Opposition a guarantee that those schools would remain open, and I actually think\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b0ae637940114a7ca655d46a26fa6445\u0022\u003EErica Stanford\u003C/span\u003E: She can\u2019t. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227e606e9795f14c85a752d5a1c6a34956\u0022\u003ELAWRENCE YULE\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, technically, she may not be able to, but what she could do is go into those schools and talk out the transition plan, because that\u2019s what\u2019s missing at the moment. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000377\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EFor the life of me, I cannot understand why a leader\u2014and I\u2019ve been a leader in various roles myself. Sometimes you\u2019ve actually got to front up to the people you are talking about and talk to them about the issue. You see, this Prime Minister, she says, \u201CWe care.\u201D She talked about Waitangi\u2014about walking the walk. Here is an opportunity for this Prime Minister to front up in a contentious area of change and make a difference, to reassure these young people\u2014these 1,500 young people\u2014who are in a good set of education that they\u2019re happy with, by choice, who are now being told that their school closes and there\u2019s no guarantee of a future. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EThe Hon Chris Hipkins, who sits in front of us\u2014he too claims that he can\u2019t be involved because it\u2019s subject to ministerial processes and technical government processes. Actually, have a heart. These kids and these schools don\u2019t know where they stand, from the time this policy was announced to now, and I watch members on the other side shaking their heads. Yes, they can go and talk as a local member of Parliament, but they\u2019re covered by a collective responsibility. I\u2019m sure there are conversations going on. This is actually an easy thing to solve\u2014a really easy thing to solve. Front up to these schools, give them a guarantee that they\u2019ll remain open\u2014even under the new arrangements\u2014and talk with them about how that\u2019s going to happen. At the moment, that hasn\u2019t occurred, and I worry, in this early stage of this Government, that when the tough things happen, nobody\u2019s prepared to front up and do the tough things. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220c51564f-6c6e-45cc-adab-f15b6c831fce\u0022\u003EI challenge the Prime Minister and I challenge the various Ministers here to actually have some courage and some gumption to look these people in the eye, just like the Hon Bill English did the day before he announced his resignation. He gets this. He understands the difference between talk and the walk. Here we have 1,500 young people of New Zealand, probably our most disadvantaged or challenged, who have a system. It\u2019s working. It may not tick all the boxes in an educational critique, but it\u2019s working. We\u2019re going to shut them down\u2014that\u2019s what the law change says\u2014and yet nobody to this day has properly fronted up to those young people. Thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022 data-id=\u002208c75def64fe40cdbb1d1cc22ead3c92\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000380\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002208c75def64fe40cdbb1d1cc22ead3c92\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Civil Defence):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. As the last speaker in this general debate, I find myself in the position of taking the post-match commentary position on some of the speeches from that side of the House, and some from this side of the House. I think it can be best summed up, for members on the Government side of the House, that we\u2019re part of a strong team\u2014that we\u2019ve had a great start to this parliamentary year at Waitangi and in getting through our 100-day programme.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000381\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EI think the theme that I would pick up from the other side of the House is \u201Cdon\u2019t mention the war\u201D, because there is one going on across that side of the House. I think it was a little bit rich of Lawrence Yule to stand up in this House and, within the first 30 seconds, accuse this side of the House of \u201Cavoiding the issue\u201D. Ha, ha! There is an issue on that side of the House, and I do want to tackle that and say that I do respect the decision that the Rt Hon Bill English has made, and I respect him as a politician. Every year, when I have been sworn in after a general election, I have the honour of being sworn in with Mr English, and I shake his hand because I do have respect for him and I do want to note that here in the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000382\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EBut I do think that the Rt Hon Bill English has been treated shabbily by his caucus\u2014shabbily by his caucus. I\u2019m at pains to point out the anatomy of this coup against Mr English, because there\u2019s someone in this House who started it all off who I have quite a lot of respect for\u2014the member for Invercargill, Sarah Dowie. An innocent comment started this whole ball rolling. When asked, when leaving a select committee, Sarah Dowie said the innocent words of, \u201CLook, there\u2019s been a little bit of talk.\u201D Just that little half a sentence from Sarah Dowie meant the game was all on, and we know it was on because Sarah Dowie is a very truthful person and she got caught out telling the truth.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000383\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EOver Christmas, a lot of them were talking about it, and then when Mr English was giving his state of the nation speech a couple of Wednesdays ago, boom\u2014someone spruiked the speech. Now who was it\u2014who was it?\u2014and why would they do it? It\u2019s pretty obvious that there was unrest in the National caucus. Bill had done his best, but they realised he wasn\u2019t the man for the job, so when Bill was about to take centre stage someone from that side of the House said, \u201CWe\u2019re not going to let Bill have it all his own way.\u201D So Sarah Dowie and then this spruiking of his speech all added up to something being amiss in the National caucus.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000384\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EI respect the decision that Mr English has made, but now it\u2019s all on, and now there are a whole lot of people who have never had phone calls from senior members of the National caucus who, all of a sudden, are getting phone calls every five minutes\u2014because that\u2019s how it works in their caucus. There are three or four runners, I know now. I think \u201CJC\u201D tried to get out and have first-mover advantage\u2014not that \u201CJC\u201D, but Judith Collins. She tried to get out and get first-mover advantage on Twitter today, but I think it\u2019s not looking good for her, given\u2014and it may be news to some of the members who are in the House, because they may not have seen this because they think something else is the issue of the day\u2014Amy Adams has also announced her candidacy for the leadership. Apparently standing behind her were Maggie Barry, Chris Bishop, Tim Macindoe, and Nikki Kaye.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000385\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ESo I think, if I put my former political reporter\u2019s hat back on, that\u2019s bad news for \u201CSlick\u201D, and when I say \u201CSlick\u201D I mean Simon Bridges, who was, up until about 35 minutes ago, the front runner for the leader of the National Party. But it seems\u2014and if the party wants generational change\u2014 \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000386\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224595ca4aba4c475b992b095c31677329\u0022\u003EHon Willie Jackson\u003C/span\u003E: M\u0101ori\u2019s going to miss out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000387\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bf16b4868d41453aac441188af43e72e\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014Amy Adams has got it. Now I do want to point out the speech from Willie Jackson, that they haven\u2019t taken his suggestion of looking for a M\u0101ori leader to lead them to the 2020 election.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000388\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f317ee7d-f040-44ec-8f2f-ad0a9f206d75\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002232c74e1221e94526b409cade323b04ee\u0022\u003EHon Willie Jackson\u003C/span\u003E: Jami-Lee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000389\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228272f2856a92474a9344b421b9cbc351\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: He did mention Jami-Lee; I don\u2019t think Jami-Lee is going to run. But, here\u2019s the rub: Judith Collins is not going to sit and watch Amy Adams just take it so easily; neither is Simon Bridges. So it\u2019s going to get ugly, until it comes to a head, and it\u2019s going to get ugly for the National caucus. So the phone batteries of the members of the National caucus are going to go very flat very fast over the next three or four days, because they are going to get lobbied heavily by both\u2014I think the front runners now are Amy and Simon. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000390\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022da8882a568344d8fb994f769838ff82d\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000391\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002254abc6a63f7642bd94b3905127dd1b9f\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: Amy Adams and Simon Bridges. So\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000392\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002271d139fde8584bc4a21c945372954d8e\u0022\u003EErica Stanford\u003C/span\u003E: Is that all you\u2019ve been thinking about today? Come on, what else is new?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000393\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022565d05548fd6473da59edaa0200523da\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: Ha! Erica Stanford thinks that charter schools are the issue of the day. I would suggest you go to the New Zealand Herald and Stuff websites and figure out that the failed leader of the next National Government is about to be chosen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000394\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EThe debate having concluded, the motion lapsed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000395\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00226e506ca91ee044379ebf165dab0d9e3f\u0022\u003EDairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000396\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022cb416c48037f4318baf962599148168a\u0022\u003EIn Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000397\u0022\u003EDebate resumed from 13 February.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000398\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022bf67dedb40004d25999ed2e61c94d268\u0022\u003EPart 1  Repeal of provisions that provide for expiry of subparts 5 and 5A of Part 2 (continued)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022 data-id=\u00227418c4ba8ae847d1a747213e931bde79\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000399\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227418c4ba8ae847d1a747213e931bde79\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT (National\u2014Hamilton East):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair, and it\u2019s good to see Minister Chris Hipkins in the chair as well. I hope that he will be able to answer a very simple question that I put to the Minister last night. It\u2019s not an agricultural question; it is a policy question, which I think that as a suitably qualified member of the Labour Cabinet he will be able to give us some direction upon. It is not something that is particular to the Minister of Agriculture but rather something that, being of a policy nature, he would be able to determine for us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000400\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThat is, in the Dairy Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2), the question asked is around why they took out the clause around open entry and exit. Now, for the Minister\u2019s awareness, that clause was in the original bill that the National Party had presented to the House. Basically, it gave the ability to Fonterra to say no to new conversions that they would have to provide capability in their industrial manufacturing sites to process. So, effectively, they have to provide the infrastructure in stainless steel to enable the production of those milk solids into products. Generally, that would go into milk powders, which are not value-added products, because it is spare capacity that they would not have that major investment in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000401\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003ENow, the Minister made it very clear that the emphasis that the Government is taking in this bill is to direct the industry into a more value-added approach, and nobody has any problem with that. In fact, Fonterra and farmers are very much in that zone. The question is: why then do they take out a clause that encourages now\u2014because that open entry and exit provision is removed, it means that Fonterra has to provide a lot more commodity-based infrastructure, when, if they\u2019d left that clause in, it would achieve their purpose of more value-add for the industry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000402\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003ESo it\u2019s a very simple policy issue that I think the Minister in the chair would be able to give us direction on. He\u2019s a very astute Minister that understands a lot of the policies behind legislation like this, so it\u2019s not something that we needed the actual Minister to be there to determine. So I\u2019d like to have a reply from him as to why that clause was taken out, because it seems contrary to the intention that the Labour Government has made clear in its speeches in this House last night. It just doesn\u2019t make sense when it\u2019s what the industry wanted, it\u2019s what farmers wanted, and it\u2019s what the general public want\u2014to see more value-add\u2014and yet we\u2019re taking out the one clause that would have encouraged that value-add, and now we\u2019re encouraging more of the same, in essence, of a lot of powder production.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000403\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThe second issue that I didn\u2019t get a chance to talk about in my first contribution in the committee stage yesterday was in relation to regulated milk. This is the portion of milk that Fonterra has to supply to new start-up companies. When Fonterra was formed, the intention was that, of course, there would be that supply to let those companies start, and they get, basically, milk at cost price. Fonterra delivers it at cost price to these companies\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000404\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e26af6da70ac434eaf89d5efc4d2b5a3\u0022\u003ERt Hon David Carter\u003C/span\u003E: The old Fonterra argument.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000405\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220b11f23f6a5f45c99825013aba2b213c\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: No, no; that\u2019s how it works, Mr Carter.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000406\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003ESo, effectively, these companies get a start with not having to do their own collection at that point. Now, what was looked at\u2014from Fonterra\u2019s point of view, they see that as becoming difficult to maintain because they\u2019re giving a very big start to those other companies, and so the submission, and what was agreed upon, was to reduce that regulated large-scale provision of milk.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003ENow, that makes a lot of sense when you consider the argument that New Zealand First has made consistently in the public around the internationalisation of the dairy-processing industry. New Zealand First has been very careful on a number of occasions to make public statements saying that they don\u2019t believe New Zealand - regulated milk should go to international processors.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000408\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EIf we look at our market and the production of milk, even in the South Island there\u2019s a very high proportion that has an international component\u2014for example, Synlait; Bright Dairy and Food Co. Ltd, a Chinese company, has 39 percent; Open Country Dairy Ltd has a shareholding that\u2019s overseas based. If you look at some of the other companies, like Yashili New Zealand Dairy and Oceania Dairy Ltd, those companies also very much have an overseas presence in what they own and how they are owned. They, effectively, are getting subsidised milk from New Zealand farmers and the New Zealand cooperative for international companies. Rightly, as you would expect, New Zealand First found that very egregious, and they have taken it upon themselves to say, in many public statements, how bad that is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000409\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EI just want to quote the Rt Hon Winston Peters in the Waikato Times on 6 March 2017.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000410\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ce1080f84fe94724a1072c16d5614094\u0022\u003ERt Hon David Carter\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019re getting desperate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000411\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002205e2d3a5d03842dab52a5833226c48df\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: I am brave. He said here that \u201CNew Zealand First will not be so craven \u2026 While it is positive Fonterra will finally get control of its burgeoning milk pool in 2018/19 with discretion over taking milk from new dairy conversions, we would ensure that \u2018regulated milk\u2019 only goes to New Zealand-owned processors.\u201D This is what New Zealand First has said in their policy, and what they have said pre-election: \u201CWe will ensure that regulated milk only goes to New Zealand - owned processors.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000412\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003ENow, the regulated milk provisions in the bill that was put forward by the previous Minister have been removed. One cannot reconcile the fact that the Labour - New Zealand First coalition has removed the clauses that would limit regulated milk, and, in effect, what New Zealand First is actually doing by voting for this bill in the form it is in now, is increasing the amount of milk that now goes to international companies and internationally owned companies, because they\u2019re not limiting that amount of regulated milk. That is very much contrary to the perception of New Zealand First. It\u2019s contrary to the approach that New Zealand First has always taken. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000413\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s another comment from the Rt Hon Winston Peters on 16 June 2016, where he said, \u201CIf you look at this Act, it only benefits the foreign processors.\u201D So instead of having the sunset clauses that would have applied in the legislation\u2014that\u2019s the 80 percent threshold\u2014and reducing it to 75 percent and keeping the legislation going, the Rt Hon Winston Peters, his comment was that this only benefits foreign-produced processors.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000414\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EI ask the New Zealand First Party to actually explain, through the Minister\u2014because the Minister will be acting on behalf of both coalition partners\u2014why, before this bill was actually introduced to this House yesterday, they were so strident in their opposition to foreign processors, and yet the very bill they bring in means that foreign processors have more access to milk. Why did they take away the provision that would have limited foreign processors\u2019 access to milk and replace it with nothing, but encourage and mean that foreign processors have that access? It just does not make sense, from a New Zealand First point of view, that they would do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000415\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003ESo there are two things that I would like the Minister to explain. The first is a policy rationale: why this Government has taken out the open entry and exit provisions that would have meant that Fonterra would have been able to say no to new conversions, and therefore would have been able to invest more money in value-add, rather than just have to have more stainless steel there\u2014why that was taken out. Secondly, why the other provision on regulated milk was taken out, which only has the effect of encouraging and increasing the milk supply at a regulated price to foreign companies.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000416\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThose two things can still be left in this legislation and still enable the Labour Party to do their wider review. That doesn\u2019t preclude them doing that. I just can\u2019t understand why they\u2019ve taken them out, from a policy point of view, because it doesn\u2019t match with the intention that the Labour Party said yesterday, of wanting to have more value-add, and it doesn\u2019t match with the intention that the New Zealand First Party has said, of reducing the regulated milk that would go to international companies. So I\u2019d really appreciate it if the Minister could answer those two questions. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022 data-id=\u0022b806b756d83b42ff90ff0d14b12fb02b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000417\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b806b756d83b42ff90ff0d14b12fb02b\u0022\u003EHon RUTH DYSON (Labour\u2014Port Hills):\u003C/span\u003E For a short part of those two contributions to the debate, I found myself in the very unusual position of agreeing with David Bennett. I don\u2019t recall that happening before, actually, in the history of this Parliament. But I am recovering a little bit from that position, and I guess the reason for that is that this bill was, in part, introduced by the honourable member\u2019s party. It was introduced in the bad old days, when we had a National-led Government. It didn\u2019t proceed to a select committee. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000418\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003EThe incoming Government looked at it and said there are some provisions in this legislation that we want to see go ahead, but the new Minister of Agriculture, the Hon Damien O\u2019Connor, who has had a lot more experience with the dairy industry than the member who just made a contribution, although I acknowledge his experience in the dairy industry\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000419\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d49c9f412ff649f38710246a743637c6\u0022\u003EHon Nathan Guy\u003C/span\u003E: Try and be nice. Try and be nice, Ruth, if you can.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000420\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224ba6d4ff160a455692046bd4bdad3c3a\u0022\u003EHon RUTH DYSON\u003C/span\u003E: You should address people by their proper names, the Hon Nathan Guy. Standing Orders of the House of Representatives\u2014page a day. The Hon Damien O\u2019Connor, the current Minister, who has a lot of experience in the dairy industry, said there are some provisions in this legislation that if they don\u2019t progress through to the third reading and be passed, will mean that provisions that everyone in the House seems to agree on will expire. So that\u2019s why I\u2019m pleased that we\u2019ve seen, despite the debate that the National Party keeps contributing to, that there\u2019s a lot of agreement that those provisions shouldn\u2019t expire.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000421\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003EThere is some debate about that, and that\u2019s one of the downsides of not having gone through the select committee process, but I want to raise one that\u2019s been mentioned to me, because I know it\u2019s been considered by the Minister, and in his view the positives from this legislation outweighed the negatives. In fact, in his view taking away the provisions that I\u2019m just going to refer to would not address the problem, and that is this: there are some units that are dairy farms that would in most situations be considered not viable. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000422\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003EMost good dairy farmers would say, \u201CThat\u2019s not a place that you should have a dairy farm.\u201D It might cost too much to irrigate, it might cost too much to fertilise, or it might be too far away from the pick-up system, but under the dairy industry legislation, of course, Fonterra have a requirement to collect that milk. So the position that\u2019s been put to me is that we should consider that as a Parliament, and I think we should, in the way that often these issues are discussed\u2014in a more bipartisan way than many other pieces of legislation. If we do have some parts of our country where we actually don\u2019t think that dairy farming is the best use of that land, but some people have started a dairy farm, and then Fonterra are required to pick up the milk, is that good? Do we want to see that continue?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000423\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003EI think that\u2019s a legitimate debate to have, and, as I say, because we are progressing this bill through all stages so that the provisions we all agree on don\u2019t expire, I think that as the wider review is done\u2014the Minister\u2019s given us a clear undertaking that the wider review of the dairy industry is going to take place\u2014I welcome the contribution from our National Party members. The Hon David Bennett, who I\u2019ve already acknowledged, has got experience in the dairy industry, and the Rt Hon David Carter\u2014a former Minister\u2014has got a lot of experience in this House, as well as in the farming community. I would welcome their contribution to that particular point: is this a problem? Is it an issue that this Parliament should consider? Should we just leave it entirely to the market, in which case would we take away the requirement for Fonterra? I\u2019m not talking about for existing farms, of course, because you couldn\u2019t retrospectively change the rules, but in my view the incentives are wrong. We are providing incentives for dairy farming in parts of the country that without that Fonterra requirement would probably not run a dairy farm.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000424\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003ESo I\u2019m really pleased with the progress that this bill is making. It hasn\u2019t been around the Parliament that long\u2014it was introduced only last year by the National Government, and didn\u2019t ever make it to a select committee. As I said, some provisions that were in it originally have been taken out, but to make sure that the parts that this Parliament wants to keep don\u2019t expire, this very small bill is going to progress through all stages, provided that it gets the votes that it needs. I\u2019ve enjoyed listening to the debate yesterday and today. I hope that we have more contributions to it, and that perhaps, more than just biffing bricks at each other, we talk about, and contribute to, the actual policies that drove the introduction of this legislation in the first place, under a National-led Government, and which have led us to this situation as we currently are in.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000425\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003EIt seems to me that the more we are able to openly discuss policies, rather than just take political point-scoring opportunities, the better off our legislation will be. We can consider the views and perspectives of other members of Parliament, particularly those who have experience and expertise in this area, and make what might be a medium-quality bill even better, or, as I have seen in years gone past, a bad bill better. That\u2019s the responsibility of a member of Parliament. I think it\u2019s one that we take pretty seriously. I know that the Hon Nathan Guy has put in one amendment to this. I\u2019ve had only a brief read of it. I don\u2019t think it will be getting the support of our party at this stage, but\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000426\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022eab2f5c1340f4e139c23b50ce9405e94\u0022\u003EHon Nathan Guy\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ve pulled it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000427\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b4768c087fe74eb2a87503d3f6857f41\u0022\u003EHon RUTH DYSON\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, the honourable member\u2019s pulled it? Thank you. I didn\u2019t realise that. I wasn\u2019t aware of that fact. I just saw it on the Table about half an hour ago. So we haven\u2019t, then, had any amendments to this legislation. Perhaps it\u2019s not big enough to amend\u2014there\u2019s not much to it! But, certainly, I would welcome the opportunity to give consideration to amendments from whatever party in Parliament, to make sure that as we progress this, particularly without select committee consideration, we make it as good as we possibly can. Thank you, Mr Chairman.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022 data-id=\u00220ced485590e14e07bbd815f4653ef756\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000428\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220ced485590e14e07bbd815f4653ef756\u0022\u003EHon NATHAN GUY (National\u2014\u014Ctaki):\u003C/span\u003E Thanks very much for an opportunity to make a call on what is a very important bill even though it\u2019s a very small bill. What it does is just a band-aid on an expiry date for South Island processors, but the substantive point that I want to make is it\u2019s kind of interesting that the Government chose to put the House in urgency for this bill yesterday, and then took it out of urgency last night, and now we\u2019re back debating it not in urgency. So it is kind of bizarre, and having the Leader of the House in the chair this afternoon, it would be quite good to hear from him about his strategy, because what I found rather ironic is there was no discussion with Opposition parties\u2014that I\u2019m aware of, and I\u2019ve canvassed it with my colleagues last night\u2014from the Minister about putting the House into urgency for what is really just a small, technical date change. I find it really hard to fathom that the House was thrown into urgency yesterday to debate a very technical change on this bill, and yet here we are this afternoon, now not in urgency.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000429\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EMr Chair, while you\u2019re referring me to refer back to the bill, I\u2019m happy to do that, but here we are today, now that this bill isn\u2019t so urgent as it was yesterday. I think, had the Government not been so arrogant as to presume that we would just tick this through under urgency yesterday, without making the full speeches that we made\u2014and they were full of content, not of rhetoric, because we know how important this bill is to the primary sector and, indeed, to the dairy industry. So I would appreciate hearing from Mr Hipkins this afternoon as to why this bill was urgent under all stages yesterday, and now suddenly it\u2019s not so urgent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000430\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EWhat I would also want to hear from the Minister is why there couldn\u2019t have been a truncated select committee period. You would think, for a bill that is significant to the South Island\u2014there\u2019s probably 4,000 suppliers in the South Island; certainly, I would think, there\u2019s 50,000 jobs that are created in the dairy industry in New Zealand, so let\u2019s presume there\u2019s probably 20,000-odd in the South Island\u2014it would warrant the select committee having a look at it. Yes, Mr Hipkins will no doubt get up and say, \u201COh, it\u2019s just a technical one. It\u2019s a date change.\u201D, but there\u2019re a whole lot of things that could have been included in this bill that we are debating in the committee stage this afternoon that aren\u2019t, and those things are going to be swept off to a review.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000431\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003EWe spent quite a bit of time yesterday referring to the review. We finally heard from Minister O\u2019Connor that the review is going to take 12 months, but we didn\u2019t hear whether the review is going to be run by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE), or Treasury or whether there is going to be any independence. He actually offered up to me yesterday\u2014not you, Mr Chair, but Minister O\u2019Connor\u2014that we could choose to nominate people for a sort of panel or committee. Then he also went on to say that it would have been great if he could have brought the terms of reference to the debate yesterday, because that would have helped the fulsome nature of debating this part that we are now debating in the committee, but he couldn\u2019t do that, because anyone with any dairy industry experience within MPI was focused on M. bovis cattle disease. I find that a little bit hard to fathom, when there are about 2,500 officials that work in the Ministry for Primary Industries.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000432\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002223de6bd3-0482-495d-88f4-7cc3f75d8442\u0022\u003ESo, concluding my contribution this afternoon, we support this technical change, in the National Party, but it would have been good to have had the discussion prior to leading up to urgency yesterday, because we saw that as a real, sort of, breach of our confidence on this side of the House that there was no\u2014[Time expired]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u002250c534b535744fa9afa8963003dd74f4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000433\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002250c534b535744fa9afa8963003dd74f4\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Mr Chair. The member who has just spoken, Nathan Guy, has raised some fairly legitimate, I think, questions about the process the Government has followed in this bill, so I am very happy to respond to those, as to why the bill was introduced under urgency yesterday and then urgency was discontinued last night and the bill has been brought back during the regular sitting time today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000434\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EThe bill was introduced under urgency because we want to have it passed by the end of the month. We want to provide the certainty to the farming community in the South Island that will go with that. Therefore, the only way to do that and to have it passed by the end of the month was to ensure that there was no select committee process between the first and second readings. Urgency was required to deliver that yesterday, and we did just that last night.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000435\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EWe could have continued through urgency this morning, for example, and passed the bill before lunchtime today. However, that would have most likely affected the select committees that Parliament had scheduled to meet this morning. I\u2019m aware that there are a number of annual review hearings that took place this morning, including one on my own portfolio of education, that most likely would have been cancelled, had the House been sitting. I am sure that the Opposition members, in their role of holding the Government to account, would have been somewhat disappointed had I, as Leader of the House, put Parliament into urgency that would have resulted in annual reviews being cancelled because the House was sitting, and select committees aren\u2019t supposed to meet while the House is sitting. So, therefore, I made the decision to end urgency last night and bring the bill back for the remaining part of its committee stage this afternoon, then we will do the third reading tomorrow, and the Government will still meet its objective of passing this bill through reasonably promptly to give that certainty required.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000436\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EThe member David Bennett asked a variety of questions, as did Nathan Guy, as to why certain provisions were not in the legislation. The legislation, quite simply, preserves the status quo. As the member previously indicated, it simply pushes out the clock to stop the South Island provisions from expiring whilst a wider review takes place. The matters that the members have raised simply sit outside of that objective. They are wider than that objective. The objective is very simple: it\u2019s to preserve the status quo while a wider review takes place.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000437\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003EThe final question is: why the urgency? Well, obviously, there is a ticking clock; there is a deadline here. I note that the previous bill that was introduced into the House in March last year by the previous Government was not progressed in any way. A full select committee process could have taken place between March and the general election, had the previous Government thought that this was a priority. They clearly didn\u2019t. Therefore, this Government is left cleaning up the mess that we inherited.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022 data-id=\u00224c7f8054056949158ade1859c9b06d6b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000438\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224c7f8054056949158ade1859c9b06d6b\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair. I\u2019m pleased to stand and take a call on this small, short, but very important bill, as the Hon Nathan Guy alluded to. As Minister Hipkins also alluded to, the fact of the matter is that the previous National Government sat on its hands over this particular issue with the bill that they had looked to introduce but chose to take no further. Well, you know, I\u2019m just reiterating what someone says that makes absolute sense to me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000439\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EWe believe that the removal of the expiry provisions is of utmost importance in order to allow the industry to continue to operate in an efficient and competitive manner whilst allowing the Government to undertake a review of the issues in the dairy sector and the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act. We know that back when Fonterra was established, there was concern about it having a dominant market position. A way to manage that was the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act in 2001, which placed regulatory requirements on Fonterra through Subparts 5 and 5A of Part 2, promoting the efficient operation of dairy markets in New Zealand and providing for the monitoring of Fonterra\u2019s Farmgate Milk Price.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000440\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EWe know now, looking back, that there are more independent processors in the South Island and that they are collecting over 20 percent. The default expiry of the efficiency and contestability was triggered. Once that happens, the Minister must request a report on the state of the competition, and then, once the Minister\u2019s received the report and gazetted the response to it, the Governor-General must by Order in Council declare that Subpart 5 and all of Subpart 5A will cease to apply to the island that\u2019s reached the market threshold. The default expiry requirement really creates uncertainty for those involved in the dairy industry whilst also imposing time and scope restraints on managing the whole decision-making process and the regulatory response to expiry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000441\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003ESo, under clause 4, we see that sections 147 to 150 will be repealed. Currently, section 148 says that Subparts 5 and 5A cease to apply. So what that means is that there will be no obligation from Fonterra to collect milk from new conversions\u2014or, potentially, dairy farms, currently\u2014and that does not help provide certainty to the industry, and it\u2019s an industry that at times faces real uncertainty through weather conditions, payouts, etc. So amending the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act and preventing expiry provisions will mean that the status quo remains.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000442\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003ESome of the key provisions that will be maintained are the open entry and exit, whereby Fonterra must accept applications from farmers to become a shareholding farmer and they must accept a supply of milk from that shareholder. Shareholding farmers can also exit when they choose and move to supply another dairy processor. This is one of the most significant of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act provisions, and it allows for new processors entering the industry the opportunity to obtain milk supply and will also incentivise Fonterra to price milk efficiently.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000443\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EThe milk price monitoring regime, currently the Commerce Commission, is required to review Fonterra\u2019s Farmgate Milk Price calculation at the end of each dairy season, and it also reviews Fonterra\u2019s Farmgate Milk Price manual. This manual sets out the methodology by which Fonterra calculates its base milk price that is paid to the farmers for their milk at that season.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000444\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EThe intention of this is to provide confidence and transparency in Fonterra\u2019s base milk price settings. It also allows for the 20 percent rule. This allows farmers to sell 20 percent of their milk to other processors each season. So, again, this is going to continue to provide certainty to dairy farmers while the Government undertakes a full review, or the ministry organises a full review, of the industry, and I think that it\u2019s really important for our farmers. Where I live, in the electorate of Rangitata, the majority of farming practice there is predominantly dairying, and this will provide real certainty for them.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022 data-id=\u00228d194ec67c8447f2b46e12a905300b53\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000445\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228d194ec67c8447f2b46e12a905300b53\u0022\u003ERINO TIRIKATENE (Labour\u2014Te Tai Tonga):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair. I\u2019m pleased to take a call in the committee stage of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2). I want to really focus on the core provisions of what we are doing with this piece of legislation. It is all about, as my colleague Joanne Luxton said, providing certainty for our South Island dairy farmers, the whole dairy sector. If we look at clause 4 in Part 1, it really goes to the heart of it, because Subparts 5 and 5A of Part 2 of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA), those provisions have been activated under the 2001 principal legislation. That was because the market threshold, which was set in the legislation at 20 percent, had been assessed to be in excess of that. So we had all of these legislative triggers that had been activated, which led to the Minister requesting that the Commerce Commission produce a report, but it also activated\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000446\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002262dcf1348b9f4ab483b08dacdb85ebe9\u0022\u003EHon Ruth Dyson\u003C/span\u003E: Did they do it?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000447\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227af2155f66604708aaf423041bb03d77\u0022\u003ERINO TIRIKATENE\u003C/span\u003E: They did; they did a very fine report. In fact, the Commerce Commission felt that there was sufficient competition and the industry wasn\u2019t quite ready for full deregulation. So that\u2019s what we\u2019re doing here today, ensuring that the provisions of DIRA, which have been in place since 2001, will continue for all farmers in the South Island, and processors as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000448\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ESo let us think: what would happen had we not passed this legislation? It would throw the entire dairy sector of the South Island into disarray, because the provisions of Subparts 5 and 5A of the Act are far-reaching. As I said, it\u2019s activated a process, a trigger point, and the cancellation, basically, of the regulations that have long applied. So what we would do, in one fell swoop, by failing to pass this legislation is throw all of the dairy sector into disarray. They would not know whether they would be obliged\u2014who would collect their milk, whether they would still be able to apply for open entry into Fonterra, or whether they would still be entitled to be able to give 20 percent of their milk supply to a different processor.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000449\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ESo the reasons why we are doing this, as I\u2019ve said\u2014it\u2019s very important that we maintain the status quo, that we provide certainty for our South Island farmers, and, as it states here, in repealing the provisions of the expiry, which are imprinted into Subparts 5 and 5A, we need to ensure that those provisions don\u2019t come into effect so that, indeed, as I\u2019ve mentioned, the status quo can remain. Our farmers of the South Island can be at ease, they can wake up in the morning, as they do, and get to work on their farms, and they will know exactly what will be taking place.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ENow, that\u2019s not to say that change is not on the horizon, and that\u2019s why, running parallel to this piece of legislation, there will be a review being carried out. As the Commerce Commission said, there needs to be a pathway to deregulation, but that needs further discussion, further consultation with all of the industry, because, again, these are big issues that need to be discussed. Setting the right thresholds\u2014again, based on the Commerce Commission\u2019s recommended 30 percent threshold, effectively, again, the status quo should remain, because currently Fonterra\u2019s supply that they don\u2019t have is around 24 percent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000451\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003ESo it\u2019s really important that we pass this legislation. We started it under urgency, and it\u2019s really important that we continue that process so we can, again, provide comfort, certainty, to the South Island dairy sector but also, parallel to this, we will continue the path, have full consultation with the sector, to ensure that there is a clear pathway to deregulation, which will occur, and that will provide a larger picture for our dairy sector in the future. But for the time being, it\u2019s very important that this legislation\u2014that the triggers that are in place are cancelled so the status quo can remain.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022 data-id=\u00229d0ccbb229844940a18d15a549afe584\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000452\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229d0ccbb229844940a18d15a549afe584\u0022\u003EANAHILA KANONGATA\u2019A-SUISUIKI (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s a privilege to take a call on the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2). I want to acknowledge the importance of the dairy industry in terms of our reputation as a reputable export nation. Recently, I\u2019ve just returned from the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum, which was the delegation led by Jonathan Young, and joining Jonathan Young were Mark Patterson and myself. I\u2019m talking about this because they made stunning speeches internationally, in Vietnam, about New Zealand\u2019s contribution to economic development in terms of the primary industry, and it is important to note that whilst we in the House might have differing ideas, when we represented the nation in the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum, we were one. We were one, and when we did speak, we spoke on matters regarding Aotearoa New Zealand. We were proud to talk about the great things that are happening here. So I want to acknowledge the dairy industry and its importance in terms of its contribution to the well-being of our nation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000453\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve chosen to make a call on this\u2014I think the member, maybe three members ago, spoke about how it is a small technicality. He talked about\u2014and I want to thank the Minister for putting clarification on\u2014the small technicality, but I put it to the House that if the dairy industry is important to the nation, to our growth, then anything to do with the dairy industry is not small. Every discussion that we have on the dairy industry is not small. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000454\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003EI\u2019ve heard members speak about the importance of preserving the status quo, and one thing that comes with preserving the status quo is the confidence and security\u2014confidence and security, not just for the farmers themselves but the rest of New Zealand. And in doing this process, in terms of talking in the House about the dairy industry, it also educates parts of the country or members of the public, and I put myself in those in terms of educating myself in terms of the dairy industry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000455\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003EI want to support this bill because it\u2019s important that time is allowed. Some people might say 12 months is a long time, but if you take out the public holidays and the weekends, I think time is to allow certainty\u2014if we are seriously looking at the sector, to ensure certainty in the market, and we as a country and as a Government are responsible for making sure that we provide time by conducting a review that runs side by side in terms of this legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000456\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002295945ace-51e8-4dbc-a0e3-c19f4ed99ed9\u0022\u003EI want to also support what others have said\u2014that the legislation has been here since 2015 and we\u2019re just talking about it now. Some members of the Opposition\u2014I sat through yesterday, and I\u2019ve listened to honourable members speak on this subject and talk about their expertise in terms of their knowledge in the farming industry, and most of the people that spoke on that were accountants. My background is social work, and people might question, \u201CWell, what does she know about the dairy industry?\u201D Well, I started my talk about the importance of New Zealand\u2019s contribution to the world economy, and the importance of that being transparent, and about keeping the status quo while the review is being conducted. It is because we want confidence and security\u2014not just for our farmers but worldwide\u2014we want to make sure that things\u2014[Time expired]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022 data-id=\u00225146d9e694dc44e2a8df76cc6daa1842\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000457\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225146d9e694dc44e2a8df76cc6daa1842\u0022\u003EMICHAEL WOOD (Labour\u2014Mt Roskill):\u003C/span\u003E Mr Chair, thank you. I\u2019m delighted to take a call on this very important piece of legislation. As I walked into the Chamber not that long ago, Mr Chris Bishop shouted out the word \u201Coutrageous\u201D, and I wasn\u2019t sure if he was commenting on my entry into this debate or on the comments of one of my other colleagues or if it was a comment in relation to one of the leadership aspirants in the National Party today, but I don\u2019t think this bill is outrageous at all. I think this bill is actually a very, very important piece of legislation, and the Government\u2019s very pleased to be getting on with the job and putting it forward today. I think we\u2019ve heard previously that this is a bill that languished in select committee for some time back in 2016, and, actually, there\u2019s a degree of urgency in proceeding with it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000458\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EThe bill, of course, amends the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA). That Act came about in 2001 under the previous Labour Government, and enabled the formation of Fonterra. This goes to the very heart and the very purpose of what we\u2019re talking about, because why was that Act required to enable the formation of Fonterra in the first instance? The chief reason that it was required was because Fonterra acts, essentially, in a monopsonist manner, in that it is not quite a single buyer but an extremely dominant buyer of a very important commodity product within our economy. The normal competition laws that are in place wouldn\u2019t necessarily allow for such a company structure to form, and so we needed a special piece of legislation to allow for it. When this House makes those sorts of decisions, we need to put in place certain protections to ensure that that market power that is handed, in this case, to Fonterra has some checks and balances on it and that we don\u2019t entirely eliminate the potential for companies to enter that market and create a degree of competition and a degree of innovation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000459\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003ESo the situation that we find ourselves in is that that original Act put in place certain provisions that created those checks and those balances, but there were, essentially, sunset clauses put in there that said that when we get below a certain threshold those provisions will no longer be in effect. That was passed last year.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000460\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003ESo what happened at that point was the Commerce Commission had to undertake a review, and what they found\u2014this is really, really important; that\u2019s why we have to get this piece of legislation through\u2014is that, and I\u2019m quoting from the regulatory impact statement here, \u201Cthe current state of competition is not yet sufficient to ensure the efficient and contestable operation of dairy markets in the absence of the DIRA regulatory regime.\u201D So that is why we need this piece of legislation, to ensure that we have those protections while we get on with the broader business of looking at what the longer-term regulatory regime might be and whether it is, in fact, possible to move to more of a deregulated situation. But, of course, we want to be cautious in that area, because if we remove those regulations while there is not sufficient competition within the industry, we have a lack of competition, we have a lack of innovation, and we have a lack of protection for some of those smaller players who may well have good things to contribute within the dairy market.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000461\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003ESo the bill itself is a reasonably short piece of legislation. Part 1, essentially, relates to sections 147 to 150 of the primary legislation. The particular provisions that we want to ensure are kept in place to ensure that we have a degree of competition within the industry relate to\u2014I\u2019ll just find them here\u2014having an oversight of what is happening within the sector, essentially. We\u2019re talking in particular about the South Island. The key things that we want to see in place are having an open entry and exit regime. So Fonterra must accept applications from a shareholding farmer in Fonterra and must accept supply of milk from that shareholder. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000462\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022098b8334-57f8-4062-bac6-bfbc3474e88e\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s a milk price monitoring regime, and that\u2019s, effectively, ensuring that the regime that we have in place, which has Fonterra as a very dominant receiver of milk, a very dominant buyer, doesn\u2019t result in milk prices being too high. This is really important\u2014the 20 percent rule. That allows Fonterra farmers\u2014farmers who\u2019ve signed up with Fonterra\u2014to sell up to 20 percent of their milk production to another processor each season. That, to me, is probably the critical part of this, which allows space for smaller suppliers, who might otherwise be squeezed out by a very, very dominant buyer, to have a place in the market, to get a toehold, to be able to innovate, to be able to give good service to those farmers, and also to keep Fonterra on its toes. So this piece of legislation does need to go through, so that we can ensure that degree of competition and innovation remains in this very important industry, which makes up 40 percent of our agricultural exports. Thank you, Mr Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022 data-id=\u002269ea12b203ed4926ac721bf877e1500f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000463\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002269ea12b203ed4926ac721bf877e1500f\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR (Labour\u2014\u014Ch\u0101riu):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair. As someone who stands in this Chamber representing what, on the surface of it, would appear to be a very rural electorate, \u014Ch\u0101riu\u2014certainly, while it\u2019s the most beautiful electorate in New Zealand, it also is quite interesting because it\u2019s one that really, when we look at dairying, is a picture and a history of dairying in New Zealand. Unbeknown to many, there were once 20 dairy farms in that electorate, out in \u014Ch\u0101riu Valley. Those farms once provided this fine city and the burghers thereof and the people thereof with their dairy products over the years. Obviously, this has evolved somewhat now\u2014essentially it\u2019s now horses and sheep mostly out there. However, that does give a little background to what I would like to discuss in relation to this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000464\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EIn my own background in dairying, let me just say that I was so young when I first started milking cows on a West Coast dairy farm that my father, instead of using metal cups, actually had plastic cups so that we young lads could actually reach up and put them on in the very modern cowshed, the first herringbone cowshed, on the West Coast. So here we were\u2014and I suppose as a member of the Labour Party I\u2019ve got to be very careful that I\u2019m not going to be quoted later on, across the Table, as advocating for child labour. But here I was, as a six-year-old, milking cows with my brothers while my father went off the farm to help the rest of the West Coast. As we had that herringbone shed, we did get many visitors from around the South Island. It was such an advanced piece of technology on this farm. It was to be, obviously, overtaken later on by those who were lucky enough to have the roundabout.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000465\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EHowever, on a little bit of a sadder note, before I go on to the depth of the bill\u2014and although farmers like to think of themselves as a very independent bunch, right through the history of farming there has been the need for good government oversight and even control to ensure that industry does continue. I talk of TB. I can still remember my father looking at the results of the latest TB test, and Buller, northern Buller in particular, was an area that was badly hit by TB\u2014losing a third of the herd each time. He, like many other farmers in the district, was very nearly wiped out. It was only the timely intervention of the Government, where those cattle that previously went down the chute because they were riddled with TB when they went to the works, were actually bought from the farm\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000466\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002210dd96555d4c406e86ed6a4c76373ecb\u0022\u003ERt Hon David Carter\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. I just want to remind Mr Chair and the member that we\u2019re talking about the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act Amendment Bill (No 2)\u2014two simple pages of an amendment; nothing to do with the contribution being made by this member whatsoever.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000467\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229fb93be9dd0a44ffb7f10a54b52d63ce\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: Mr Chairman, if I might, just to give some context\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000468\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226e8556440c06464bb30b396c6c99dead\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: No, no\u2014e noho. [Interruption] No, I don\u2019t need any help. I thank the member for that contribution. This has been quite a wide-ranging debate on such a small bill, and I tend to agree with the member and I\u2019ll ask Greg O\u2019Connor to continue but to come to the bill. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000469\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022edfde5f18ea34c8398d60885d2934f4b\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: Right, thank you for that very clear and concise direction\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000470\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002236c8c596-d890-4cca-9767-1eeb5c9ce710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ce0c0cdacf034b918815c9bfaf7383af\u0022\u003EDarroch Ball\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. I\u2019d just like some clarification on the ruling you just made. This Chamber is aware, and every member should be aware, that this bill didn\u2019t go through a select committee. So I\u2019m just wanting your assurance that there is quite a wide berth given to the speeches that are made through this process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000471\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002257aa39650e0147b0a47e43575f112f91\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: I can assure the member that if it did go to select committee, the content of some of the speeches would not be discussed there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000472\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f9a437809acc4bf5a1d06a43d874f1d3\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you again, Mr Chair, for that very clear and concise direction. What I was endeavouring to do was to just build the background and context to understand that the background of this bill, of course, was around ensuring that there is sufficient competition in the dairy sector in the South Island\u2014in fact, right throughout New Zealand\u2014to ensure that, actually, the people who are ultimately protected are the farmers. I am aware that there are farmers now in the South Island who are in some trepidation that, ultimately, their milk will not be picked up because, in the absence of any such competition, which this bill is actually addressing, there will be only one big provider who will decide they will stop at a certain river and not go beyond that river to pick up the milk. We\u2019ll see that those very people that members across the aisle seek to be protecting\u2014or certainly leveraging their anger, as we saw in the previous election\u2014will be the ones who will be left either pouring the milk down the drain or actually having to turn their farms into another source of production.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000473\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003ESo I recommend this bill to the committee for the reason that it is absolutely essential in an industry that is so important to New Zealand that we have the right governance structure, and that this Government, which in the past has saved farmers like my father\u2014saved industries\u2014still maintains the ability to do so. A laissez-faire approach would be the result of ignoring this legislation, and that would result in a poorer farming environment. Thank you, Mr Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022 data-id=\u0022a83c25b5b31a4f7dab827f70c6b08b2f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000474\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a83c25b5b31a4f7dab827f70c6b08b2f\u0022\u003EVIRGINIA ANDERSEN (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair, for the opportunity to speak on the amendment to the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act. I think it\u2019s important that we look at the role that the dairy industry plays in New Zealand and also how this has changed over time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000475\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003EThere was a time in New Zealand when any small farmer had the opportunity of participating in dairy farming and of being able to make a living from dairy farming. Over time, we\u2019ve seen companies grow bigger and a more corporate spread happening, while that\u2019s benefited New Zealand hugely\u2014and we look at the contribution that our only multinational company, Fonterra, makes to our economy\u2014we also look at how the average person is trying to make a living in farming. Their first crack really is as a sharemilker not as an owner or an operator. So when we look at the inability of the average farmer to be able to participate, and own and take a stake in how this is happening, we need to make sure that there is sufficient competition within New Zealand\u2019s dairy industry to enable that healthy competition to take place.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000476\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003ESo what we\u2019ve seen through the Commerce Commission\u2019s inquiry is that this is not sufficient in the South Island, that there is not a sufficient level of competition happening in order for us to be satisfied that those provisions should expire, and that\u2019s exactly why this piece of legislation is being put through under urgency. We need to make sure that there is sufficient knowledge, that we do have healthy competition, and that we do have a good way of doing this. The Labour Party has a strong record of making sure that we have healthy competition in the market place. When I think back to having Telecom as a single provider in our telecommunications industry, the last Labour Government looked at opening the market place for there to be more healthy competition and to enable other providers to give New Zealanders access to fair price products in the telecommunications market. That\u2019s also what we need to be reassuring New Zealanders should be happening right here. For that reason, we need to make sure that there are good opportunities for those in the South Island to have a fair go.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000477\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003ENow, one of the things that I remember, growing up in parts of rural New Zealand, was seeing how much it\u2019s important to have a good community and good people who can make ends meet. I remember clearly at A and P show days where kids were struggling out in the farms and where farmers were struggling. We need to make sure that this bill proceeds with urgency in order to give that reassurance. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000478\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003EThe Government wants to take a strategic view of the dairy industry, given its place in New Zealand\u2019s economy; 40 percent is a big whack of what we earn, and it\u2019s about right that we make sure that we do it properly. I think the members opposite would be inclined to rush into this blindly and stamp it and not be too concerned. But we do need to remember that this bill did not proceed to select committee, and it does need further interrogation and debate at this point in time. It would be nice if the members opposite actually even paid attention and started listening and contributing to the debate instead of sitting there quietly, so it\u2019s important that they don\u2019t even seem to be that concerned about this piece of legislation, which was kicked off initially by their own party. But there\u2019s still opportunity tonight for further comment, and I encourage the members opposite to read the papers and take part in the debate and talk about some of their own constituents, potentially, who could benefit from this piece of legislation progressing as quickly as possible.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000479\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003ESo, Madam Chair Williams, I thank you for the opportunity and I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022 data-id=\u002242218ac2385444b3afc1aec85732911c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000480\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002242218ac2385444b3afc1aec85732911c\u0022\u003EGARETH HUGHES (Green):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora, Madam Chair Tolley. Ng\u0101 mihi nui ki a koutou, kia ora. I\u2019m glad the National members are supporting it. I\u2019m glad they are, because on one hand it\u2019s quite surprising. If you listened to the debate last night, David Bennett himself said it was the biggest attack on the New Zealand farming industry in the next three years\u2014the biggest attack in the next three years\u2014but David Bennett and the National Party voted for it. Now, I don\u2019t want to call them up on their inconsistencies of language, but I\u2019m glad they\u2019re voting for it, because what we\u2019ve had for a long time is an approach where policies and rules have been rammed through. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000481\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003EWhat we actually need to do is have a whole-of-the-country discussion, because it\u2019s really important when we\u2019re dealing with the dairy industry that we get all stakeholders around the table. Instead of a one-sided debate that has seen the massive intensification, the massive problems we\u2019ve seen in New Zealand, we should be working collaboratively over those solutions. What we need is to hear from all those stakeholders that have had their voices ignored. It\u2019s incredibly important because Fonterra, you know, is the world\u2019s biggest dairy exporter company, the second-largest by volume, responsible for 40 percent of our primary industries and a huge number of jobs\u2014tremendously economically important, but also, you could put an argument, a tremendously missed economic opportunity. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000482\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003ENow, what we haven\u2019t heard in this debate in the committee stage is a comment on the environmental implications of what Fonterra\u2019s done. What we\u2019ve seen is two-thirds of our waterways in New Zealand are considered unsafe for our kids to swim in. Our kids are risking getting sick if they swim in our rivers, and we\u2019ve got to acknowledge that Fonterra and all those dairy farms are a major contributor to declining water quality\u2014in fact, the dirty rivers that are making us sick across the country. Other countries have their factories, which are quite visible with their smokestacks and pollution; this is our equivalent in New Zealand, responsible for half\u2014half\u2014of our total greenhouse gas pollution. So this is such an opportunity to address those issues. How do we encourage more value-added products from our agricultural sector? How do we tell that national story and leverage off our \u201Cclean, green\u201D brand? How can we clean up our environment and make sure that our rivers are safe to swim in? So that\u2019s why I\u2019m glad that all parties are supporting it, because, essentially, all this bill does is give us a little bit of time, a little bit of breathing space so that we don\u2019t have to do what the previous Government used to always do, which is ram stuff through to actually get all the parties around the table.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000483\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003ESo in Part 1, by delaying the implementation of sections 147 to 150 of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA), we allow the open market entry and exit and the milk price monitoring regime to have a bit of time to have that review. At the moment, what we know is they would have expired in May of this year. Now, we did have concerns, originally, with this. What we wanted was for the industry to be able to crack on with the changes to the open entry and exit, because at the moment one of the major problems facing our environment in New Zealand is that automatic entry and automatic requirement for milk to be picked up. When you drive across country, be it Canterbury or the central North Island, you can see these massive dairy conversions, and I think, quite simply, you could argue we\u2019ve been seeing dairy in the wrong place. It\u2019s not suitable for the environment. What it has done is it\u2019s encouraged peak cow\u2014this fantastic growth in the numbers of dairy herds, which some experts say is the equivalent of tens of millions of people\u2019s effluent flowing into our waterway. This is what these rules have achieved. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000484\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003ESo we are urging the Government to crack on with this review, because we do need to call a halt to the massive and, I put it, crazy intensification in conversions we\u2019ve seen in this country\u2019s recent history.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000485\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002229d9f4de6c3b4985852d8acf13cc1651\u0022\u003EAlastair Scott\u003C/span\u003E: Ah, you are closing down the dairy farms.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000486\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226bf2bab2e16640c5899636f4e512ebd6\u0022\u003EGARETH HUGHES\u003C/span\u003E: No, we\u2019re not talking about closing down the dairy farms. We\u2019re talking about a smart, rational approach that actually sees dairy in the right places and other agricultural industries in the right places, because when we\u2019ve seen the massive environmental consequences, we know something\u2019s gone incredibly wrong. That\u2019s something that has been totally ignored by the previous Government. It\u2019s something that their original legislation, which these clauses are changing, would have ignored. The National Party\u2019s always said that environmental issues shouldn\u2019t be dealt with by this, but when you\u2019ve seen a structural body, in the form of Fonterra\u2014with the massive market power and influence it has, it hasn\u2019t acted as a force for good. In fact, it\u2019s acted as a force for declining water quality in New Zealand and dirty rivers that are making our kids sick. So that\u2019s why we want to make sure all the stakeholders are around the table. We can actually design a system where it acts as a force for good. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000487\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003ENow, we\u2019re a huge supporter of cooperatives in New Zealand. We want to see more cooperative activities. It\u2019s a great model that\u2019s succeeding on the world stage, but let\u2019s take it to the next step and make sure it\u2019s a force for good. That\u2019s why we were glad, when we were delaying these sections\u2014only for the year review\u2014that the Minister has agreed to some of the ideas that the Green Party has been pushing, because we want to make sure the sustainability and environmental protections are contained in that review. So the Minister\u2019s agreed over that 12-month period to talk about organics. Now, what we know is it\u2019s a higher value - added product. It receives greater export earnings and less environmental impacts. There\u2019s some fantastic work being done by conventional and organic dairy farms in New Zealand. What we want to make sure is that Fonterra, as a cooperative, is set up to encourage us to approach those greater value - added products. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000488\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003EWhen you look at those 10,500 dairy farms in New Zealand, aggregated\u2014you know, the world\u2019s largest exporter\u2014but when you look at a different comparator, we\u2019re the 18th in the world for sales volume per kilogram of milksolids. That\u2019s a common measure of value. What that means is we\u2019re very good at producing milk, but we\u2019re not that great at actually producing value out of it. So when we are exporting products all around the world, we\u2019re focusing on these low-value commodities, these, essentially, brown paper bags of milk products\u2014products that have a high greenhouse gas intensity. Now, when you\u2019ve got a system that the DIRA encourages, which is for Fonterra to accept every single drop of milk being produced, what you\u2019ve seen is negative environmental consequences. But, on the flip side, because the system has been driven by volume, they\u2019ve gone for these low-commodity, low-value products. So to process those milk products\u2014the milksolids\u2014they\u2019ve turned to coal, and we know that Fonterra\u2019s the largest coal consumer in New Zealand. So not only are we trashing our environment and not only are we trashing our climate, but we\u2019re not even getting the most out of the product.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000489\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003ESo we\u2019ve got a vision that we can achieve a sustainable dairy industry in New Zealand. We could leverage off that great\u2014$18 billion is the estimate\u2014\u201Cclean, green\u201D brand. We could tell a fantastic story in traceability of dairy products, back to the story of those family farmers who produced it. We could be focusing on innovation, and I put it to this committee that Fonterra\u2019s lack of success at innovation and focusing on R \u0026amp; D has been a primary driver of our country\u2019s terrible standings, as we saw at the end of the National Government after nine years\u2014in the bottom half of the OECD for R \u0026amp; D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000490\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002255bb390e-f6c3-498c-bbf6-ea1a8fc993c7\u0022\u003EI guess our theme tonight is we can have an opportunity by passing this legislation\u2014these key, critical sections we\u2019re debating right now\u2014so that we can have that national conversation. We can actually make sure that Fonterra is a force for good. We can focus on more income for New Zealand. We can focus on cleaner rivers. We can focus on innovation and R \u0026amp; D. So, basically, what we\u2019re talking about is that if we listen to National and their arguments\u2014never mind the inconsistency that they\u2019re voting for it, but the way National went about it was if you didn\u2019t support this, you\u2019d see very little change and very little change for good. So what we\u2019re talking about is let\u2019s have this review, let\u2019s get all the people around the table, and let\u2019s sort out the solutions and have a cleaner, richer New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022 data-id=\u0022ec3b331e9e08424c8fa533162e7af341\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000491\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ec3b331e9e08424c8fa533162e7af341\u0022\u003EKIRITAPU ALLAN (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Madam Chairperson Williams, thank you for the opportunity to provide a contribution this afternoon. Yesterday, I proffered a relatively animated contribution, because I personally am so concerned about the lack of attention that the previous administration paid to the implications that the absence of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) amendments have for the primary industries. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000492\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003ENow, before I turn my mind specifically to Part 1, which repeals the provisions for the expiration of Subparts 5 and 5A of Part 2 of the primary legislation, I just want to make a brief note about the fact that the Opposition yesterday waxed lyrical\u2014[Interruption] \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000493\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223a98649aaf234217bc65a38e570918e7\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! Order! \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000494\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223a1989ed8cf4418d806aa91da97800f7\u0022\u003EKIRITAPU ALLAN\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014about the fact that us having to go through this process of taking this legislation through urgency was, in some way, us trying to lack transparency. Right now, we are in the committee stage, where there is every opportunity for the Opposition to ask questions of our Minister and to ask questions of our officials, who are sitting in this Chamber. As I\u2019ve been sitting here listening to the contributions, or lack thereof, from my Opposition counterparts, I have been trying to understand why\u2014really have been trying to understand why\u2014when they had their DIRA amendment bill up on the Order Paper in March of last year and they knew that the order\u2014the revocation of the Dairy Industry Restructuring (Subparts 5 and 5A of Part 2 of the Act Disapplied to South Island) Order 2016. Now, that was enacted because Subparts 5 and 5A were triggered by the fact that the South Island had reached its 20 percent quota as determined in 2001, when the original Act came into being, and the provisions were triggered almost two years ago. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000495\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EThis order was gazetted by our former Governor-General Jerry Mateparae, noting that this provision\u2014Subparts 5 and 5A\u2014would cease to apply to the South Island in May of 2018. Now, that\u2019s in three months\u2019 time. That\u2019s in three months\u2019 time, and the Opposition, the former Government, has the cheek\u2014there are two parts. One is to say that they\u2019re a bastion and friend of our dairy industry, but the reality is that they\u2019re completely fine to accept uncertainty within this industry, knowing that we are three months out from this order coming into effect, which will mean that the DIRA provision would cease to apply to the southern island. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000496\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003EBecause they were the Government at the time, they know that the Commerce Commission found that albeit in 2001, when it might have made sense that 20 percent of the sharemilk contributions going to independent processors\u2014that might have been sufficient to debunk the competition that Fonterra held. But when the Commerce Commission came out with their findings last year, I can only imagine the beads of sweat and the tears in quiet little cracks and corners around the former Minister for Primary Industries\u2014what he must have been doing at that stage\u2014knowing that a huge stoush was about to be on his hands. He was going to have to deal with a battle between Fonterra\u2014and of course they want to be the dominant provider. Why wouldn\u2019t you? This is commerce and business. And then, they wanted to compete with the interests of their farmers. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000497\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003ENow, we saw the submissions from Federated Farmers\u2014and those guys waxed lyrical yesterday about the 105 submissions that they received. Well, they weren\u2019t 105 submissions all in approval of their hack provision\u2014the compromise legislation that they were going to rush through. No, they weren\u2019t. They know that; we know that. This piece of legislation is being rushed through under urgency because the former Government failed the farmers of the South Island. They failed the farmers of the South Island. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022 data-id=\u0022f184c478314348e496cdee09429629e7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000498\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f184c478314348e496cdee09429629e7\u0022\u003EHon CLARE CURRAN (Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chairperson Williams. I stand here as a proud and staunch Mainlander, representing the South Island dairy farmers from my electorate of Dunedin South. Clearly, I am advocating for this bill and its intent and its objective and its effect, which is, ultimately, protecting the interests of South Island dairy farmers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000499\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EYou know, this is a strategic bill. It fits into a wider strategy. It\u2019s a bill that demonstrates that this is a responsible Government, in direct contrast to the behaviour of the previous Government, which is now the National Party Opposition, firmly in Opposition. I think the reason why we\u2019re having this bill and the reason why it is under urgency is because the previous Government\u2014the National Party Opposition\u2014clearly either were avoiding a stoush that they didn\u2019t want to have, or they just took their eye off the ball.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000500\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b70eefb085a34f16a04b9d3f2311c0e8\u0022\u003EKieran McAnulty\u003C/span\u003E: They just fluffed about.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000501\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002266004713e6224385a6fcd8e33a7b4e36\u0022\u003EHon CLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: They fluffed about. They had the opportunity to put this bill before a select committee, because there was a time limit on it. Well, let\u2019s hear from them and let\u2019s hear the explanations as to whether they just took their eye off the ball, or they were avoiding a stoush that they didn\u2019t want to have before an election. Why is it that this bill didn\u2019t get to a select committee, given that it was time-limited? Two years, as Kiritapu Allan, the member before me, referenced\u2014two years this was triggered.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000502\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EI raise a point of order, Madam Chairperson. Is it appropriate for another member in the Chamber to physically come and interrupt a member\u2019s speech?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000503\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002282981bc8d36a4f2980c4d17b105bb8be\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: I would suggest that it is highly unusual, and I\u2019d encourage the member not to do so. But I do believe that what is being indicated here is relevance to the bill. So I\u2019d just encourage members to stay\u2014it is a broad-ranging debate, but to stay, if we can, to the components of the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000504\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022534dcf14c416432185b41733c3acad30\u0022\u003EHon CLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000505\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cfd9bef534cd43d794cdf8a92f117ee7\u0022\u003ERt Hon David Carter\u003C/span\u003E: I raise a point of order, Madam Chairperson. While I appreciate that it\u2019s not normal for members on the other side to assist Government members by taking them a copy of the bill, the general debate was three o\u2019clock until four o\u2019clock today. We\u2019ve now had a very wide-ranging debate and the current speaker has certainly not once referred to the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2). It\u2019s a relatively wide-ranging debate but not to the extent we\u2019re discussing all aspects of the dairy industry. It\u2019s a simple piece of legislation. It\u2019s simply about extending a threshold for the South Island. It\u2019s no longer in urgency, despite the Hon Clare Curran claiming it\u2019s still in urgency. It was the Government\u2019s move yesterday, after going into urgency, to break urgency last night about 10 o\u2019clock. We\u2019re now on normal time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000506\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022afde9208022d4035a365489041be9882\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: I thank the member. Thank you. No, I don\u2019t need any more assistance.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000507\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002236c8c596-d890-4cca-9767-1eeb5c9ce710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229de08a58348d412e8584646b1bb71233\u0022\u003EDarroch Ball\u003C/span\u003E: It\u2019s up to the Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000508\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226ecbe537b34043bdbdc67aea7a706ca8\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: It is up to the Chair to determine relevance. I have cautioned members that we do need to come much more to the substance of the bill, but, given that the nature of the debate is quite wide ranging, I will determine relevance. And points of order will be taken in silence and so will determinations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000509\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229d89d5cd35b0470591e95eb713acf8a0\u0022\u003EHon CLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Chair. The Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2) is before the committee today because of a trigger that happened in 2015 and a Commerce Commission report that lead to a bill eventually being drafted by the previous Government that never made it to a select committee. That is why this bill is before the committee and has had to be put through its stages without going to a select committee. My point is made, and clearly to the National Party Opposition it is a sensitive point, and so that\u2019s why we\u2019ve had the reaction that we\u2019ve had.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000510\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EI\u2019d also, as a proud Mainlander, like to acknowledge my heritage in the dairy industry and acknowledge my godparents, actually: my godparents, my uncle and aunt, Digger and Moira O\u2019Neill from Edendale.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000511\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bcd052dd262a4f609292868143c984bc\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Hey, but that was an important cousin.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000512\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221d3607653bac4586b09ed5141d08c11c\u0022\u003EHon CLARE CURRAN\u003C/span\u003E: It is. Digger and Moira O\u2019Neill, sadly, passed away\u2014my godparents and my uncle and aunt. Digger O\u2019Neill actually sat on the board of the Edendale cheese factory when it was the cheese factory; very well known in Edendale. And I have milked a cow; not very successfully, but I have milked a cow. I actually feel very proud to acknowledge the O\u2019Neills today, who made a very large contribution to the dairy industry in the South Island and that the interests of South Island dairy farmers are paramount in this piece of legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000513\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00222aa0b524-c38d-45aa-bd5b-99c5927085f4\u0022\u003EBut beyond that, I do acknowledge the Green member Gareth Hughes, for the importance of where this fits. This goes to this Government\u2019s strategic approach, its responsibility; it\u2019s responsible government. Looking at this in a context of a wider strategic undertaking of the dairy industry and its place, that\u2019s looking at sustainability, and it\u2019s looking at environmental impacts\u2014something that the previous Government never would\u2019ve gone near; that is of importance to New Zealand society, \u201CNew Zealand Inc.\u201D\u2014and looking at also the ability for us to examine and innovate in the industry, which will lead to more sustainability.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022 data-id=\u002258aeee49bdd34113bde916f3cf1cc4d6\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000514\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002258aeee49bdd34113bde916f3cf1cc4d6\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister of Housing and Urban Development):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chairperson Williams. I find it remarkable that the National Party Opposition, who claim to be the great friend of the farmer, negligently allowed the progress of this bill to just sail forth towards the automatic expiry provisions, seemingly without a thought for the state of the industry and the important decisions that needed to be made about the future of the dairy industry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000515\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003ESo many members in this debate have pointed out how important the dairy industry is to this country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000516\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a29e321538bf45729813438cf73656b0\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Their heritage. Yes, I\u2019ve learnt a lot.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000517\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229179ac4ff2b148c78f0e1b2525a87013\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: Notwithstanding the heritage of various members, and we\u2019re not going to go any further into the heritage of members of this House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000518\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c7500e951ea94fadac6c835fe97fd4bb\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Come on. Tell us your heritage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000519\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b885d64b52aa4889a40c952f2d964a46\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: We\u2019ll stay right out of my heritage, thank you, Mr Bennett. So this bill prevents the expiry of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA). Without this bill, we face two possibilities. The first is that the bill that the previous Government had before the House would\u2019ve pre-empted an important consideration of strategic issues facing the dairy industry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000520\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002287f28379c475415d82257056244b3700\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Could I just ask the member to take a seat. Can we just have a little bit of order. If members are wanting to interject across the Chamber, the interjections need to be helpful to the debate; currently they are not. Let\u2019s just take a deep breath and start again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000521\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c5f904e1a8404d0f9bd582a61a38efd3\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: I would say that any interjections that are helpful to the speaker would be most welcome\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000522\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221704dd01c96f4ca79fbc8617b9bc4ba9\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: I asked about your heritage.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000523\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224c5dae6fba1f4b38a264b505361754b8\u0022\u003EHon PHIL TWYFORD\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014but no interjections about my heritage, thank you, Mr Bennett. So what this bill will mean is that the DIRA provisions will continue to apply throughout the whole of New Zealand, allowing time for the new Minister the Hon Damien O\u2019Connor to undertake a comprehensive review of the DIRA before any other changes are made. The alternative to that is just to let the automatic expiry provisions run their course. But it\u2019s our view on this side of the Chamber that that would not be helpful to the dairy industry. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000524\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EThe main purpose of the Act was to manage the dominance of Fonterra until there was enough competition in the market place to make regulation unnecessary. That\u2019s why the DIRA contained those expiry provisions that were triggered when Fonterra\u2019s market share fell below the threshold specified in the Act. So the expiry process that\u2019s contained in the original Act necessitated a review of the state of competition in the dairy markets to be undertaken by the Commerce Commission. The Commerce Commission did that review in 2015, when Fonterra\u2019s market share in the South Island met the threshold. So, as we know, the Commerce Commission found that there wasn\u2019t sufficient competition to let parts of the DIRA expire in the South Island.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000525\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003ESo keeping the DIRA in place now will give the industry certainty about the regulatory environment, and it allows the new Government to undertake the very review that the past National Government should\u2019ve conducted if they were serious in their claim to being the great friend of the dairy industry.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000526\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EThe review that I know the Minister Damien O\u2019Connor has under way now is intended to allow a much more strategic focus to be taken to the issues facing the dairy industry, including, for example, environmental issues, the likes of which Gareth Hughes set out; the need to get the industry on a much more sustainable footing; to reduce carbon emissions that are such a feature of our dairy industry right now; and to find new policy settings for land use in this country that will allow the industry to continue to generate the prosperity that it does for New Zealand without putting further stress on our waterways and our land. What this Government wants to see is the best outcomes for farmers, for consumers, and for the economy overall.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000527\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022cbc37df2-57ae-4536-94ed-a2e39eecd585\u0022\u003EI said before that preventing the expiry of the DIRA will mean that the current regulatory settings will continue in place. The key provisions that are being maintained are the open entry and exit, the milk price monitoring regime, and the 20 percent rule. This bill provides certainty for the dairy industry while the essential review is carried out.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022 data-id=\u00221f972db5e0d44c41a11f32cfc5eee4a9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000528\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221f972db5e0d44c41a11f32cfc5eee4a9\u0022\u003ERt Hon DAVID CARTER (National):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u00224a86e7288afa4e5a8d3b784864b562b6\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 57\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 56; ACT New Zealand 1.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 63\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion not agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u00225d9cc92508bf4e44998e8f924895ddbc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000529\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225d9cc92508bf4e44998e8f924895ddbc\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: Before I call another member to speak, I am encouraging you all to speak specifically to the substance of the bill and to give us some discussion and debate that hasn\u2019t been heard before. We\u2019ve been going for an hour and a half, and the substantive part of the bill appears to have been covered. So I am encouraging members to take a call if they have something new to add to the debate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022 data-id=\u00222927529db04e466bb898dd4d40c73c18\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000530\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222927529db04e466bb898dd4d40c73c18\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Chairperson Williams. It is indeed a great honour to stand here to speak to this bill. I have been waiting for quite some time, but on that fact I\u2019m not surprised because this is a very important bill. It seems today, if we were to look at just what\u2019s on offer, the Labour Party is the only party that\u2019s taking this bill seriously. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000531\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EThis bill provides certainty for the industry. It is a very small and very specific bill, but it is a bill that\u2019s important and will provide certainty, not only to the industry as a whole but to those individual players, those farmers, and those who work within the industry\u2014just like my father, who\u2019s a dairy shed inspector and has been for 40 years. The fact is\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000532\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e4b09a29-dfd3-42c0-8585-11463bd6077b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fb7fd763ec7c4351a312ea6df327766d\u0022\u003ERt Hon David Carter\u003C/span\u003E: Vested interest. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000533\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022db16d23c120b4c859a3eb63fafefecf6\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, yeah\u2014well, OK. The point here is that this Government\u2014the Labour Government\u2014wants to give New Zealanders the opportunity to hear what it is we\u2019re proposing here and what it is that this bill is going to do. You would think that the Opposition would take the opportunity available to it and want to speak on it. In fact, all we have seen in the last half an hour, from the contributions of a former Speaker of the House, is to act the goat, cross the floor, and pass a piece of paper to a speaker\u2014which I found to be highly inappropriate\u2014and then stand up, and at that point I thought, \u201CHere we go. Finally, the National Party will say something.\u201D, but all it was was a closure motion. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000534\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EI wonder why that may be. Perhaps it\u2019s because this bill, or something very similar, was available to be discussed and implemented in March of last year. Did they do anything with it? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000535\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c3733eaa8b054367bd607e1d704f457a\u0022\u003EHon Members\u003C/span\u003E: No. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000536\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002262e240ced2bf4164abfb4b4977d63555\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: No. No, they fluffed about. They fluffed about, for two potential reasons: one, they wanted to avoid taking responsibility\u2014they wanted to actually avoid having this debate\u2014or, two, because they couldn\u2019t be bothered. They ran out of time. And, here, the only contributions that we saw on this bill from the National Party last night were criticisms of it being considered under urgency. Perhaps if the opportunity was taken at the time, there wouldn\u2019t be the need for urgency. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000537\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003ENow, talking specifically to the purpose of this bill, I want to highlight why we wouldn\u2019t just leave it and let the expiration date that this bill proposes to push out come into force. When the original Act was passed in 2001, Fonterra had a dominant position in the market by the nature of its establishment. The main purpose of the original Act was to ensure that that dominance, until sufficient competition emerged within the market, still allowed for those smaller or alternative contributors to the industry to actually be there. We wanted to ensure a competitive market. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000538\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EYou would think, given the founding principles of the National Party, that they would want to take the opportunity to discuss why it is so important to ensure competition in the market, or is that not what the National Party stands for? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000539\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e075719c221043ad9294329077c5a5ff\u0022\u003EKiritapu Allan\u003C/span\u003E: We thought so. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e074e044e1d743b4a322d867119336f1\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: We thought so, of course. But, obviously, not today. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000541\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EThis bill gives certainty to the market because it pushes out what would have been the expiry date of May this year, and in doing so it provides this Government the time to consider a broad review of the industry\u2014something that is good practice, particularly when there hasn\u2019t been one in an industry that has seen significant growth over the last couple of decades. It also gives those producers in the South Island that are worried about their particular farm and the contract that they have\u2014without this expiration date being pushed out, they have no certainty within their contract of supply. They could live beyond any arbitrary boundary and miss out on what was previously a guaranteed contract, because it is not preserved in legislation. So I\u2019m pleased to be able to be part of a Government that is actually wanting to take the initiative, that does take the dairy industry seriously, and that is therefore putting this forward to the House so that no more are those within the industry showing concern. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000542\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EBut, touching on the key provisions that are being maintained here, there are three in particular. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u002204252b38944045e28d0511eca61f7c8e\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000543\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002204252b38944045e28d0511eca61f7c8e\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E I move, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u002269bb002071be4f358a458a98af213989\u0022 name=\u0022division\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EA party vote was called for on the question, That the question be now put.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 57\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand National 56; ACT New Zealand 1.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 63\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 46; New Zealand First 9; Green Party 8.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion not agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u0022169f7cfd512f4710b5665702bf356d8f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000544\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022169f7cfd512f4710b5665702bf356d8f\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E I raise a point of order, Madam Chairperson. I just wanted to raise a point of order with respect to this bill and remind the committee that the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act passed in the time that we have dealt with the No. 2 bill in the committee stage. I thought that was pretty amazing, because that was quite a substantial piece of legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022 data-id=\u0022fb2fef356e9844779240ca7e10887429\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000545\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0e0c86e-e14d-4daa-9bc8-1b5a3d7defeb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fb2fef356e9844779240ca7e10887429\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Poto Williams)\u003C/span\u003E: I thank the member.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022 data-id=\u00221684a376ed74405798a4d9d48933f0d3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000546\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221684a376ed74405798a4d9d48933f0d3\u0022\u003EJAMIE STRANGE (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E As we have heard, dairy obviously plays a key role in New Zealand. This bill amends the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001 (DIRA) to prevent the expiry of certain provisions in May 2018. The Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2) aims to prevent the expiry of those provisions to provide certainty for the dairy industry about the regulatory regime. There are three key words here: No. 1 is continuity, No. 2 is consistency, and No. 3 is competition. We\u2019ve certainly heard a lot about competition, and markets thrive under competition, and that\u2019s what this bill attempts to do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000547\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EDairy makes up approximately 40 percent of New Zealand\u2019s total primary sector exports. New Zealand\u2019s largest dairy processor, Fonterra, as we know, was established in 2001 from a merger of the two largest dairy cooperatives and the New Zealand Dairy Board. It was created under a Labour Government, and it is something we\u2019re certainly very proud of.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000548\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThe DIRA Fonterra provisions are due to expire in the South Island on 30 May 2018, hence the reason for this bill. This bill will allow a more strategic focus to be taken to issues facing the dairy industry, including, for example, environmental issues\u2014as we\u2019ve heard from the member Gareth Hughes\u2014land use, and how to achieve the best outcomes for farmers, consumers, and the New Zealand economy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000549\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThe DIRA was passed in 2001 to manage Fonterra\u2019s dominant position in dairy markets until sufficient competition emerged. We\u2019ve heard a lot about that, around that aspect. The DIRA, therefore, contains automatic expiry provisions that were triggered in 2015 in response to Fonterra\u2019s reduced market share in the South Island. If we look at DIRA in the South Island\u2014my family once had a dairy farm there and it was the largest producing dairy farm in the South Island; it had only 300 cows. But, certainly, this is an example of the Labour Party standing up for farmers in the South Island.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000550\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThe DIRA regulatory provisions on Fonterra in Subparts 5 and 5A of Part 2 provide a means of promoting efficiency that would ordinarily be provided through competitive market pressures. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000551\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002275a05f96-2474-4c90-a6ea-cf7b5798e03e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224e366c8c6afe4b68b49234bc8e04ec0f\u0022\u003EHon Ruth Dyson\u003C/span\u003E: Which you\u2019ll talk about later, on Part 2. We\u2019re on Part 1.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000552\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228445d0169b346b9a4411ee87b3c9e55\u0022\u003EJAMIE STRANGE\u003C/span\u003E: Ah. So just coming back to the three key points there I mentioned around No. 1, continuity\u2014so it provides continuity for farmers, it provides certainty for the market around consistency and around competition. It allows for checks and balances around Fonterra.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000553\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003ESo we certainly commend this bill to the House, and we\u2019re not going to take too much more time. Thank you for listening to contributions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022 data-id=\u00221fe1d74565b842d48ce9332043dede07\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000554\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221fe1d74565b842d48ce9332043dede07\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR (Labour\u2014\u014Ch\u0101riu):\u003C/span\u003E Madam Chairperson Williams, it does give me pleasure to speak again on this bill. I\u2019d just like to speak about the P\u0101hau River. The member who represents Canterbury there may be aware of this, but this is a river that recently has been given an award. It is the river in New Zealand that has reduced the E. coli count by the most for any river in New Zealand, which is a wonderful achievement by the dairy farmers in that area. That\u2019s on the back of some other great achievements in North Canterbury where, by the use of pivot spray, by the use of moisture probes and only irrigating when necessary, and by the use of riparian planting, some great things have been achieved in North Canterbury in dairy farming. However, one of the problems is that those achievements have been lost in the noise that\u2019s been created deliberately by those who seek to turn town against country on this and other issues\u2014which will bring me very shortly to this bill, and to summarise this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000555\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EThe important point is that this bill ensures that there will be sufficient governance of the dairy industry to ensure, not only for farmers but for the rest of New Zealand, that the industry\u2014which we all accept is extremely important to New Zealand\u2014is properly governed. We\u2019ve heard that in the past, through suspensory loans, through subsidies, and through other means, Governments have been very involved in ensuring that farming does stay in a good state, and this Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2)\u2014DIRA, as we call it\u2014is simply an extension of that. It is about ensuring that we get an extension to the exemption\u2014that we get this extension that will guarantee we can do the necessary work to ensure there is sufficient competition in dairying in the South Island; to make sure that the continued intervention\u2014positive intervention, necessary intervention, that has made the New Zealand dairy industry and other parts of farming in New Zealand the success they are today\u2014continues.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000556\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EI recommend this bill to the House as a means of ensuring that the necessary governance over this vital industry is maintained. Thank you, Madam Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000557\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EPart 1 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000558\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00223a8f570d98654478b82ad30003911792\u0022\u003EPart 2 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000559\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022cde0ce5f46614f39a1de2d7fe76037c6\u0022\u003EClauses 1 to 3 agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000560\u0022\u003EHouse resumed.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000561\u0022\u003EBill reported without amendment.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000562\u0022\u003EReport adopted.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000563\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002294092c21a2554f3e8fc3a87056a2b187\u0022\u003EConservation (Infringement System) Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000564\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002254c37ab250844d438dd90083596e6ff2\u0022\u003EFirst Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000565\u0022\u003EDebate resumed from 1 February.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022 data-id=\u002281e9077cf5514ce8a774a0ccfce76a1b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000566\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002281e9077cf5514ce8a774a0ccfce76a1b\u0022\u003EJENNY MARCROFT (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora and thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. Thank you for the opportunity to stand and speak on behalf of New Zealand First on the Conservation (Infringement System) Bill. Much of New Zealand\u2019s taonga exists within nature\u2019s stores. The lure of New Zealand for many lies in the environmental uniqueness of our national parks and reserves, our native wildlife, and our outdoor culture. Unfortunately, though, these treasures are vulnerable to corruption and misuse, and people do take advantage of this. So, personally, I am pleased to see the Conservation (Infringement System) Bill in the House today. It is good to address this issue, and it will give the Department of Conservation (DOC) the ability to issue infringement notices for minor offending. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000567\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003ECurrently, we have a system where someone who breaks the law either goes through the costly court system for a major offence\u2014and I\u2019d like to make a note of the example of the kerer\u016B crimes that hit the headlines a couple of years ago, when a certain matua, a whanaunga from the North, tried to smuggle the birds out under his coat after a hunting trip in Ng\u0101i Tahu. Now, of course, there was no other option but the full force of the law to come down hard. However, at the other end of the scale, the minor end of the scale where maybe, say, a tourist drops rubbish as they\u2019re walking or mountain biking around the redwoods in Rotorua\u2014should they get caught, all they get slapped with is a wet bus ticket. This bill will tidy up the law, and those who commit an offence at the minor end of the scale will face real consequences in the way of an instant fine. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000568\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EFrom the Bills Digest, the purpose of the bill is \u201Cto create systems of infringement offences for less serious offending under the following Acts which are administered and enforced by the Department of Conservation and local authorities: Conservation Act 1987; Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978; Marine Reserves Act 1971; National Parks Act 1980; Reserves Act 1977; Trade in Endangered Species Act 1989; Wild Animal Control Act 1977; and Wildlife Act 1953.\u201D It\u2019s important to note that the bill doesn\u2019t create any new offences, and the penalty is to be set by regulation and must not exceed more than $1,000. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000569\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EFrom DOC\u2019s regulatory impact statement, I note \u201CThe Department of Conservation (DOC) administers about one third of New Zealand\u2019s land area (more than 8 million hectares), 44 marine reserves, and 6 marine mammal sanctuaries (totalling 4,115,669 hectares) for the purposes of conservation. In addition, DOC also protects, conserves, or manages native freshwater fisheries, recreational freshwater fisheries, and protected native wildlife, and controls harmful species of introduced wild animals and regulates the hunting of these animals.\u201D As we can see, this is a vast area that DOC is responsible for, and for such a vast area, it\u2019s imperative that there is a better system to allow DOC to carry out their work. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000570\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EThe Conservation (Infringement System) Bill hopes to fix the anomaly where the Department of Conservation is the only major Government agency that lacks the power to use such a system in enforcing laws within their jurisdiction. It\u2019s not a new concept, at all. These systems exist already in many other areas of law, certainly for traffic offences and, more relevantly, in the Fisheries Act. This bill will bring conservation legislation in line with similar Acts and it creates consistency across our legislation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000571\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003ENow, what are some of these activities that would be treated as an infringement offence? Well, currently, there would be breaches of the whitebait regulations\u2014they\u2019re some of the most numerous prosecutions, currently, for illegal fishing in marine reserves\u2014and also offences relating to the Taup\u014D trout fishery. This bill would also enable DOC to manage littering in public conservation land through the infringement offence. And what about those who foul our special natural spaces\u2014freedom campers who leave behind their nasty business? Well, I do note that the Freedom Camping Act 2011 already contains separate infringement offences, and so DOC can use those. So this bill doesn\u2019t actually affect freedom camping. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000572\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003ENow, overall, the bill seeks to make conservation and protection efforts more effective, as actions previously inappropriate for prosecution will have more of a consequence than just a warning\u2014just a shake of the head and a wag of the finger and a \u201CTut, tut!\u201D The scale of the infringement system means that penalties will be better matched to the degree and seriousness of the offence. Since its beginning, DOC has had to deal with offenders in one of two extremes, by way of either a warning or an official prosecution. Warnings are the equivalent of a slap on the wrist and do little to deter people from continuing and committing further offences. They rarely have the desired effect of changing people\u2019s behaviour. DOC currently issues around 200 warnings a year and are concerned that the numbers will increase, as minor offences continue to occur without a specific remedial penalty. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000573\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EThe bill will remove unnecessary costs to the judicial system, as fewer of the minor offences will need to be addressed in the courts. This will be beneficial for Kiwis also, as well as tourists, as this is a difficult process to manoeuvre and can have lasting impacts on future endeavours. Currently, the prosecutions take time and resources from both DOC and the court system. It\u2019s also a huge impediment to individuals who commit minor offences and who must endure the hassle of the court system and the lasting impact that any criminal conviction has on their future, on their life, and on their future rights and freedoms. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000574\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EThere are a number of examples where we can see the need for a better system. In 2016, in the K\u0101weka Forest Park, two hunters were found without permits. They were trespassed. A couple using a campfire at the Mangat\u016Bt\u016B hot springs were given a verbal warning from a DOC officer, only to be discovered again with another fire. They were then trespassed. Now, these kinds of infringements are very real breaches of the law, but a warning, or even a trespass notice, may not cause the offender to change their behaviour in a way that a fine might. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000575\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003ENow, even though the fines won\u2019t be paid directly to DOC, it is a way for DOC to recoup some losses they encounter as a result of offending. Minor offences can have an impact on the environment and on the resources available to DOC. By using infringement notices for these minor and medium offences, some of this will be accounted for, and DOC\u2019s resources can be better spent on improving conservation rather than on repairing damages caused by these offences. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000576\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EI\u2019d just like to note New Zealand First is concerned about the safety of these warranted officers that will be carrying out this work. DOC maintains a nationwide network of warranted officers who are formally trained and who hold official warrants to undertake compliance and enforcement activities. New Zealand First would like to see that these DOC warranted officers are suitably trained and equipped with the appropriate safety gear for the work that they have to carry out. As at December 2017, 111 incidents of threat, harassment, intimidation, or assault to DOC workers had been recorded since 2006, when records first started being kept. We must ensure their safety. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000577\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EI\u2019d also like to just note that concerns may come from the public around introducing such a system. They may think it\u2019s, in fact, a way of gathering revenue. There are no new offences being added to this piece of legislation, and the fines will be capped at $1,000. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000578\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EEssentially, the main focus of DOC is the protection and conservation of our natural taonga. It\u2019s the responsibility of DOC to carry that out in the best way possible, and they have a duty to ensure this. However, they absolutely need the proper tools to carry out this programme. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000579\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022676b0bc5-331b-4818-b261-ecf892d0bf23\u0022\u003EThe Conservation (Infringement System) Bill will give the department that tool. Human activities are among the contributing factors that lead to the degradation of our natural environment\u2014our natural heritage. If we tread with heavy footsteps, then, at the very least, we need to ensure that we mitigate the effects and that some form of compensation is made to reset the balance. A lack of respect for Papat\u016B\u0101nuku, our precious taonga, our nature stores\u2014which we are all kaitiaki of\u2014must not be allowed to continue without consequence. An infringement system is long overdue, and New Zealand First will support this bill. Kia ora koutou. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022 data-id=\u0022c69583e66581420c97c8e58e4dd88ae7\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000580\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c69583e66581420c97c8e58e4dd88ae7\u0022\u003EHon NICKY WAGNER (National):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Assistant Speaker. I and National are delighted to support this bill\u2014this Conservation (Infringement System) Bill. The reason we\u2019re so delighted is that it\u2019s National Party policy, and I worked with it with the Hon Maggie Barry, when she was the Minister of Conservation and we were in Government. I\u2019m particularly pleased because not one single word has been changed since the bill was introduced in February last year.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000581\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003ENow, most New Zealanders care deeply about the natural environment. We enjoy the fact that we can get out in the great outdoors, and the vast majority of us treat the environment\u2014as the privilege that it is\u2014with respect and care. But there are always a few\u2014a few who break the rules. In the past, Department of Conservation (DOC) rangers had only two options for how to deal with illegal behaviour, and they were two options at either end of the punishment spectrum. The first was a warning, and the second was a prosecution. We all know that prosecutions are very time consuming and very expensive. The problem was that sometimes a warning was too soft an approach, and sometimes a prosecution was too tough. So what this bill does is provide a middle ground: an infringement and a fine system that will deal with less serious offences fairly, well, and efficiently and, most of all, quickly. I think the quickness is really important because what we want our DOC rangers to be doing is looking after our conservation estate, not necessarily chasing up the few bad eggs in the system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000582\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003EI support this bill, and I really hope that the new Government will continue to support National\u2019s conservation legislation. In particular, I\u2019d really like to ask them to reconsider the stalling of the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill. That was supported by Parliament unanimously back in 2016, and thousands of New Zealanders and environmentalists were really keen to see that happen, particularly the Greens. They welcomed this bill because they\u2019d been lobbying for the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary for many, many years and are always wanting more marine reserves\u2014in fact, just last week, the new Minister of Conservation, the Hon Eugenie Sage, was talking about marine reserves and increasing the number of marine reserves in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000583\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003ESo I just suggest that they progress the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary, because what I saw on the Greens\u2019 website, under Eugenie\u2019s name, is that the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary would be New Zealand\u2019s only reserve that protects an entire ecosystem, and, by protecting 620,000 square kilometres of Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary, it would become the world\u2019s largest no-take marine reserve and would be a positive inspiration to other nations to implement greater marine protection measures. So it is absolutely deeply disappointing, certainly not uplifting and positively inspiring, that self-serving coalition politics are stopping the creation of this globally significant sanctuary.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000584\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003EThe conservation Minister talks about the significance of conservation, and we agree with her. But talk\u2019s cheap. How about she walks the walk and passes the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill, because that would be truly significant for conservation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000585\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002292824476-4e66-4052-8435-b049833d8b83\u0022\u003ESitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022 data-id=\u0022ee23ddd348df4752861be4935b903eb5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000586\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ee23ddd348df4752861be4935b903eb5\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister of Conservation):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe e Te M\u0101ngai o Te Whare. I am very pleased to speak on the Conservation (Infringement System) Bill. I welcome the support from across the House for this bill and acknowledge the work by the former Attorney-General and by the former Minister of Conservation, the Hon Maggie Barry. I look forward to the bill going to the Environment Committee. Having been a member of that select committee, I am sure that it will apply the usual and scrupulous care and attention to examining the bill, to reading the submissions, and to analysing those that the former committee, in the last term of Parliament, did. One of the particular issues that I am interested, as Minister of Conservation, in hearing the select committee\u2019s views on\u2014and advice, obviously, back to the Parliament\u2014is just the status of Fish \u0026amp; Game in relation to this new regime of infringement notices.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000587\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EThe Department of Conservation (DOC) is the only major agency that doesn\u2019t have an infringement notice system for lesser offenses under conservation legislation, and that is why this bill is important. There are a lot of issues in terms of breaches of the whitebaiting regulations, breaches of marine reserves\u2014the smaller breaches, where it may not be enough to justify a prosecution\u2014but at the moment, because we don\u2019t have this mechanism of infringement offences, the person may not be penalised at all for illegal activity. So this bill is bringing the Department of Conservation and conservation legislation alongside fisheries, biosecurity, and other legislation, by providing this opportunity for infringement offences.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000588\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EI would point out that it\u2019s not going to be like the traffic system, where infringement notices are issued on the spot. There will be trained staff and warranted officers, so that rangers and staff in the field, if they catch someone doing something illegal, will be able to gather information and then give that information to the warranted officers to make a decision about whether an infringement notice should be issued. That provides a certain safeguard, as does the training there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000589\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EThat\u2019s why this whole issue of Fish \u0026amp; Game\u2014and I acknowledge the comments by my ministerial colleague the Hon David Parker and his work in taking proceedings for Fish \u0026amp; Game. The previous Government decided that Fish \u0026amp; Game shouldn\u2019t have the same powers as conservation rangers and staff, and that is something I\u2019m very interested in hearing the public\u2019s views on. I\u2019m sure that Fish \u0026amp; Game councils, and others, will make submissions, and the select committee will actually weigh that, because it\u2019s the Fish \u0026amp; Game councils that do have statutory responsibilities for the management of game birds, for the management of sports fisheries\u2014trout and salmon\u2014for the licences to be observed, and those sorts of issues. Under that legislation, it may well be appropriate for those Fish \u0026amp; Game staff, warranted officers, to actually have the power to get the information and to initiate the infringement notice procedure.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000590\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EAs others have commented\u2014and I won\u2019t go through all of the eight Acts that the bill amends\u2014it\u2019s, essentially, creating an infringement offence under each of those pieces of legislation, in parallel to the offences that can be taken to prosecution. It\u2019s recognising, as I\u2019m sure many other members in the House recognise, that we want our national parks, we want our conservation lands, to stay safe from damaging activities\u2014our marine reserves, similarly\u2014but, for example, if somebody drops litter in a reserve at the moment, if it\u2019s conservation land, the department doesn\u2019t have a mechanism to take action against that person. Local councils can, under the Litter Act, in the areas that they administer, but the department can\u2019t on conservation land. So it\u2019s putting the department on a much more equal footing with other agencies.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000591\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EI would certainly like to acknowledge that the procedures that will be used certainly ensure that M\u0101ori customary rights are respected when conservation staff are doing enforcement work, because the seriousness of offending guidelines, which are going to be developed by the department, will recognise whether particular species are taonga species and the impact of any offending on w\u0101hi tapu and other sites significant to M\u0101ori. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000592\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EThere will be regulations that are developed under the legislation to actually establish the scale of the penalties. That work\u2019s obviously still to be done, but there\u2019s a lot of benefit in this legislation in ensuring that those who seek to do harm to conservation areas can be prosecuted, but those people who, maybe unwittingly, do something like anchor in a marine reserve may not be prosecuted but can have an infringement notice issued to ensure that they recognise that there is a problem in doing what they have done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000593\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EI think that this bill will help make the whole enforcement system for conservation legislation more effective and efficient, and it will reduce unnecessary use of DOC\u2019s resources in taking prosecutions for less serious offences, and it will help keep some matters out of the courts that don\u2019t need to go to the courts, thereby saving on court time and resources. So, taking heed from the comments of some members of the Opposition who were keen that this bill go to select committee without further ado, I really welcome the support that members across the House have given to this bill and to the principle of ensuring that our conservation legislation is much more efficient, and I commend the bill to the House. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022 data-id=\u002274e6c56036654d29bd21d8f4ca41e047\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000594\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002274e6c56036654d29bd21d8f4ca41e047\u0022\u003EERICA STANFORD (National\u2014East Coast Bays):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. I rise with pleasure to speak on the Conservation (Infringement System) Bill in its first reading. Of course National supports this bill; it is, of course, our bill, and it is very nice to be back talking on a bill that has cross-party support. I\u2019m not going to say too much more than the previous contributors, because it\u2019s been quite a comprehensive debate already. Can I just start by acknowledging my colleague and my electorate neighbour, the Hon Maggie Barry, for this excellent piece of work. The Department of Conservation (DOC) has wanted an infringement system for a long time, and it\u2019s been very persuasive in outlining its need for it. The middle step that this bill creates will allow DOC to concentrate on its core business while still efficiently and appropriately responding to conservation offences. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000595\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EThis bill is really an effective in-between for DOC rangers, allowing fines to be issued for offences that deserve more than a warning but less than a prosecution. These offences can include minor breaches of fishing regulations, camping in the wrong place, dogs being let off the leash in prohibited or protected areas, and taking plants from national parks. These offences aren\u2019t to be minimised, of course, but it is patently clear that punishing them with an infringement system commensurate with the level of offending is more appropriate than the heavy-duty tool of prosecution. Prosecution has its place, but for lower-level offences it\u2019s a costly exercise that is time-consuming for DOC, leaves people with criminal records, takes up court time that can be better used, and is ultimately not commensurate with the crime.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000596\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022275c91f8-c6b8-42fd-b3ab-d8fc000dd41f\u0022\u003EA similar fine system exists under other statutes, including the Fisheries Act, the Resource Management Act, and the Biosecurity Act. There is widespread support for the type of infringement system that this bill creates to deal with those less serious offences at the minor end of the scale while still holding people to account. This bill delivers what DOC wants: a flexible system that many other departments already have. New Zealand\u2019s natural environment is a top priority for National, and this bill is a further step towards protecting it. I\u2019m looking forward to scrutinising this bill when it comes to the Environment Committee, which I serve on, and I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022 data-id=\u00223fe15d4a33a64888b97420270e23572f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000597\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223fe15d4a33a64888b97420270e23572f\u0022\u003EJAMIE STRANGE (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. This bill is about common sense. It is an excellent bill, and it\u2019s simply around not using a hammer when a fly swat will do. Most New Zealanders are decent law-abiding citizens, and it starts from that premise there, which is an excellent premise to start from. The objectives of the bill, as we know, are, number one, to improve the effectiveness of conservation compliance and law enforcement to better protect conservation values; number two to ensure that penalties for offences are commensurate with the seriousness of the offence; number three to ensure that people do not risk criminal convictions if they commit minor offences; number four to make the treatment of offences consistent with those in similar regimes, such as fisheries; number five is around removing unnecessary costs to the court system; and number six is about contributing to the Government\u2019s objectives of improving government interaction with New Zealanders and delivering better public services for less cost.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000598\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThe Conservation (Infringement System) Amendment Bill updates eight separate Acts to allow the Department of Conservation (DOC) to issue infringement notices instead of prosecuting for minor offences. One of the minor offences that\u2019s talked about in this bill is around whitebait\u2014maybe someone taking extra whitebait. While I was reading that, it certainly brought back memories of my father. He told me that he used to catch whitebait; he used to have sackloads of whitebait back in the day, but I don\u2019t think you get that any more, unfortunately.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000599\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EIf we look at the first point there, which is around conservation values, some of the key conservation values are biological, ecological, social, and cultural values of outstanding significance. In my area, in the Waikato, there are a number of excellent examples of this\u2014for example, Mount Pirongia, where I grew up, where there is a strong community passion for preserving the conservation of that mountain, saving the k\u0101k\u0101p\u014D being one of the key aspects. You also look at my region in P\u016Bt\u0101ruru, around the Blue Springs, and, again, there\u2019s a sense of community.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000600\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EHowever, there are some tweaks that need to be made, and one of them is around the offences because some offences are quite minor, and for a minor offence we don\u2019t need to throw the full book of the law at the person. So it\u2019s just about treating the offence as it should be treated, depending on what that is\u2014for example, we may have some teenagers who, at times, maybe make silly choices, but there\u2019s no point them having a criminal conviction for something that is just minor. So that\u2019s where the aspect around common sense comes in on this bill, which is excellent.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000601\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThere is another aspect here I\u2019d like to talk to, which is around removing unnecessary costs to the court system. Our court systems at times are under a lot of pressure so, like I said, going back to that keyword around common sense, you know, this is an example of taking some of the pressure off the court system so people are not going to court when they don\u2019t have to. The cost to the Department of Conservation around court costs includes staff time preparing the file, travelling to court, attendance at court hearings, the cost of serving the information and, in contested hearings, the cost of conducting the case, all of which is at times unnecessary. The cost to the court system includes registrar and judge time, and in some instances offenders may receive legal aid.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000602\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EOur national parks, public conservation lands, and indigenous plants and wildlife need to be kept safe from illegal human activities, but I don\u2019t want to see people prosecuted and get a criminal conviction for a minor breach of the whitebaiting regulations, for example, like I mentioned before\u2014for example, dropping litter in a park. Offences in the current law have covered a wide range of offending, but this law is simply narrowing it to make it more nuanced, which in my opinion is good legislation. Like I said before, you don\u2019t always need a hammer when a fly swat will do.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000603\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThese changes bring DOC\u2019s powers into line with how low-level offences are dealt with in fisheries management, biosecurity, dog control, resource management, traffic, and parking, which are good examples to follow. So thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker, for the time, and I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022 data-id=\u0022acdf902d8fe7440e965f73807f9484ee\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000604\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022acdf902d8fe7440e965f73807f9484ee\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour\u2014Christchurch Central):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. It\u2019s a real pleasure to stand and support this Conservation (Infringement System) Bill. It\u2019s a real pleasure because this bill really does go to the heart of what it is to be a New Zealander. I certainly, myself, hold very dear the conservation estate, which I enjoy on a regular basis. This bill is about ensuring that the tools are there to protect our conservation estate. In doing that, it enables us to build a culture of preservation, protection, and value around our conservation estate, because, in my view, for far too long we\u2019ve had a laissez-faire approach to our conservation estate, a \u201Cshe\u2019ll be right\u201D attitude, where, in fact, the users of that estate have thought that it doesn\u2019t really matter if they break the rules; as long as they\u2019re not doing anything too bad, no one will mind. Well, what this bill does is it enables enforcement officers to take a much more nuanced approach, as my friend Mr Strange alluded to. I would have said a sledgehammer to crack a nut, but if you want to try it with a fly swat, that\u2019s all right by me.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000605\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EWhat we have here is an absolute range of possibilities, and I\u2019m sure that conservation officers will still use a warning approach in the right circumstances, and I think we\u2019ve got to recognise that at the lower end it is entirely appropriate for a conservation officer or any other enforcement officer to educate the transgressor, to impress upon them the importance of the rules, and, indeed, to send them away with those valuable lessons. But there will be situations that fall into an intermediate ground, a ground where it is not appropriate to throw the book, where it\u2019s not appropriate to invoke the precious resources of our court system, but nevertheless that conduct has to be set aside as unacceptable.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000606\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003ELooking at the bill, you can see that there are a number of somewhat obscure offences, including, indeed, selling or delivering a carcass of a wild animal to a game depot or game packing house without the ears attached. Now, that\u2019s not something I knew, and it\u2019s those kinds of offences that might be a little obscure. I understand that will be to ensure that it is, in fact, wild game and not a tagged animal that\u2019s perhaps from a deer farm, but those are the kinds of offences; a little bit obscure but nevertheless important to the regulation of our conservation system.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000607\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve got an infringement system coming into force that will be cost-effective, time-effective, and proportionate to the wrongdoing. We\u2019ll be able to avoid the prosecution, which is exactly the opposite of all those things. Having said that, it\u2019s important to recognise that this bill sets apart a number of offences that by their very nature are serious, require a serious response, and will be dealt with by the courts. So we\u2019re seeing things like firearms offences in there and, of course, offences that interfere with the system itself\u2014offences, for example, of obstruction of a conservation law enforcement officer. Those kinds of offences, which go to the very heart of the system itself, will always be prosecuted. If the evidence is there, then it is appropriate for that prosecution decision to be made.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000608\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003ESo we will have a response to the full continuum of offending, and I think it\u2019s really useful to have, not quite, I must say, a ticketing approach but an approach that lets people know that what they\u2019re doing is quite wrong, that there are consequences for their wrongdoing, and that, in fact, they will pay the fiscal penalty for that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000609\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EAnd it\u2019s worth noting that exactly how that will roll out is yet to be designed. There\u2019s a lot of work yet to be done, not only by the select committee\u2014and I\u2019m sure the select committee will do an excellent job\u2014but also in the devising of those regulations to ensure that, for example, the range of fines available is proportionate and that the mechanism by which they\u2019re enforced is appropriate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000610\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EI understand that the Department of Conservation (DOC) is not looking at a system like a kind of ticketing system where you get a note written on the spot, an instant fine system\u2014which, sadly, I\u2019m familiar with in another context\u2014but rather a system where the enforcement officer will report the offending and it will be scrutinised by a team of people whose particular job is to look at those matters, a specialist team. I think that\u2019s really important to ensure that a decision can be made, whether it\u2019s a warning letter or whether it\u2019s a fine of some sort or whether it goes to prosecution, because one of the difficulties in any kind of roadside or tree-side system is ensuring consistency, and if we have a team of enforcement officers who are trained and will be able to give uniformity across all offenders, that\u2019s a really good thing. It overcomes that kind of roadside discretion, which sometimes can perhaps be misused but, at the very least, can sometimes perhaps just go awry, where one officer might be a bit more generous and sympathetic to a sob story than another.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000611\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s also important to note that local government is being brought into this system, and that\u2019s a really good thing. Local government already has significant enforcement powers across a range of areas, including the issue of infringement notices. So where they do administer reserve land, they will now be able to issue these infringement notices using the same system as a DOC officer. So that\u2019s a really good thing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000612\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EIt is also worth just noting\u2014I think this really is something for the select committee, and I would encourage anyone who is interested in this area to make a submission\u2014the carve-out for the New Zealand Fish \u0026amp; Game Council. They haven\u2019t been included in this framework. That\u2019s a decision that was made when this bill was drafted by the previous Government, and I\u2019m not going to take a view one way or the other. I can see that there are good and compelling reasons for that. They are not a Government agency\u2014they\u2019re a private agency\u2014and to give them the power to impose a fine would be a significant step. It may well be thought that where a fisheries officer sees an infringement, it is considered to be more appropriate to say, \u201CWell, if you think it\u2019s serious, we need to have an arm of the State involved. We need to have a court process.\u201D That\u2019s an entirely legitimate approach.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000613\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EOn the other hand, I am sure the select committee will take into account the countervailing argument, the argument that, in fact, fisheries officers are some of our most responsible enforcement officers. They\u2019re also numerous. There are many volunteer fisheries officers out there. They do a fantastic role, and I don\u2019t think we should dismiss lightly the suggestion that they\u2019ll take such a job seriously and won\u2019t misuse that power but, rather, will see it as an important tool. And there is a question of why they should be dealt with differently\u2014why someone who is accosted with an undersized trout by a fisheries officer is in a different position from someone who is accosted by a conservation officer. So I think that is an important question for the select committee, and I hope that submissions are made on it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000614\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EBut coming back to the bill as a whole, it really is an excellent piece of legislation that has come from the prior Government and one that looks at something that is really important, and that is ensuring that the rules around conservation are adhered to at every level. It\u2019s that kind of broken-window approach to conservation\u2014that minor infringements are just as unacceptable as other infringements, and we need to leap on top of those. We can\u2019t have people taking, you know, one fish too many and getting away with it because a prosecution is just too much bother. No, we need to be able to respond to that and say, \u201CThat is wrong, there is a system that is proportionate to your wrongdoing, and you need to know that this graduated system will respond whatever the wrong is.\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000615\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003ENow, this doesn\u2019t necessarily catch people who are ignorant or who have genuine reasons for not complying with the rules or have an excuse that is compelling. There\u2019s no suggestion that this is a compulsory system. I mean, in my experience, enforcement officers have always been ready to educate, to warn, to listen, and, really, to engage in a quite constructive manner with users of the conservation estate, the marine estate, and so on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000616\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EThis bill is a great step forward. There\u2019s work to be done, if I may say so, and I think we do need to look at it. I commend it to the select committee, and I do hope that members of the public will take a close interest in it, because it touches on something that is dear to all of us. I\u2019m sure that this will be a great step forward for the conservation estate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022 data-id=\u0022960613744121418f81c6f2351ab213f1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000617\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022960613744121418f81c6f2351ab213f1\u0022\u003EHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Associate Minister for the Environment):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you for the opportunity to take a call on the Conservation (Infringement System) Bill. I\u2019ve listened very carefully to the contributions of my colleagues, and I too believe that the bill makes some useful steps forward in the way in which the infringement system will operate across a range of Acts to try and get some greater consistency but also to ensure that the infringement is proportional to the offence. I do want to make the point that even in its simplicity, it\u2019s the type of bill that will, I expect, garner a lot of interest at the select committee level, and we do expect a lot of groups to participate in the select committee process and give a view on the effectiveness and the way in which the infringement system is expected to work but also intentions around implementation and its workability. So we do expect that there will be a broad range of submissions: Fish \u0026amp; Game, recreational groups, hunters, the general public\u2014vigilant lawyers, perhaps\u2014landowners, and also local government officers, because, as I say, in its simplicity it offers a very practical way of dealing with infringements in a number of areas.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000618\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThere are some aspects that may require further investigation and may urge the select committee to pay some attention to the finer detail. For example, I was just looking through the bill and noted that there could arise questions in various contexts around who authorises the offence and who is able to authorise the infringement notice. In some instances it\u2019s a ranger, and in some instances it\u2019s a warranted officer. In relation to reserves, it\u2019s the director-general or chief executive who warrants a ranger to be able to issue an offence. Now, a select committee, thinking through the practical application of that and who are the people that we\u2019re talking about, I think, may find, or may reveal, the way in which, in practice, this will happen.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000619\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe other thing is that, by and large, the infringement system exists within an ecosystem of greater care and respect for the rule of law, and the general public have a part to play in this process. Take, for example, in the conservation estate when people enjoy their part of the conservation estate and see someone who is taking into the estate a dog untethered, which runs off and chases a bird. If the general public sees an activity or an infringement like that take place, then what actions are they able to take? I think the practical application of what\u2019s intended to, I guess, capture these types of smaller offences but to ensure greater vigilance in the way that we look after our conservation estate are things that the select committee can pursue. And it is useful, because, after all, you do want to know that the laws that we are seeking to ensure have an impact to protect our conservation estate, our wildlife, our marine mammal protection, and the like can actually work.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000620\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThe other issue is how to pay. Now, I\u2019m making this comment based on how road tolls are collected, but paying an infringement notice isn\u2019t that easy, actually. If we think about just a couple of weeks ago, you go to Waitangi and you pay your toll online\u2014it isn\u2019t easy for a lot of people to go through that system. So it\u2019s worth investigating just the payment method and whether it\u2019s accessible to a range of people who may or may not have access to the internet and online banking services and the like. Now, these are all the types of issues that could come through a select committee process, and we encourage submitters to think about these issues as they reflect on the intended impact of this particular bill and the way in which it is implemented.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000621\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EI come back to a point that I made earlier around context. Context does matter. The bill covers a range of other Acts, and when you think about them in isolation of each other, there are different sets of circumstances, in reality, that apply. Take hunting: there are infringements that apply to hunters there, and I have heard, certainly, in instances where M\u0101ori land abuts conservation estate, where hunters are, kind of, on the border there, on the periphery, they kind of travel a little bit freely, and it is the bugbear of landowners. But how do you ensure greater compliance in that space? I\u2019ll be interested to see whether that is an issue that comes through at the select committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000622\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EI take also the issue of the Wildlife Act and the protection in this area. Now, a point was raised earlier around the exemption of Fish and Game not being covered in terms of the extension of the rights to rangers. I think I recall in the House last term that we did debate that very issue, and it did come up as to the reasons why they weren\u2019t given extensive powers. That may come up again in the submission process this time, as well. Suffice to say, context will matter. The practical application of how the law is intended to apply and actually will apply\u2014that insight will be gained through the submissions process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000623\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EI do also note that there is a level of variability in the way in which reserves operate, so it will be helpful to local government\u2014the way in which infringements are set out in a more consistent way and apply to reserves. I\u2019m sure that will be a very useful addition to a number of issues that apply on reserves. Now let me read a couple of them: \u201CFailure to remove animal, vehicle, aircraft or boat\u201D\u2014one of them; \u201CUnauthorised entry\u201D into a reserve; \u201CAnchoring or mooring of a boat in breach of notice or permit\u201D; \u201CDamage by fire\u201D; \u201CAltering boundary marks or items issued by Minister, Department, or administering body\u201D; \u201CUsing or receiving items removed unlawfully from [the] reserve\u201D. My understanding across reserves in local government is of the level of variability. This will give some consistency to certain matters and will enable councils to practically apply a common standard when it comes to offences, setting out offences, and the issuing of infringement notices.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000624\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003ELastly, can I just say that, albeit there is a simple range of amendments to the infringement system, I do pick up on the point well made by the speaker before me, my colleague Duncan Webb, when he said that these are incremental steps that in their totality will make a difference to the better functioning of the way in which we protect our special areas and the way in which the public observe the rule of law, and, practically, our attempt to try and ensure that the infringement is relative to the offence that is being committed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000625\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EThey are very practical amendments. A lot of hard work has gone into preparing the bill that we have before us. I encouraged submitters across a range of community, stakeholder, and interest groups to make their views known on this bill. We will certainly welcome feedback at the second reading of this bill, when it comes to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000626\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EBill read a first time. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000627\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220e7e8da2-a6a1-41bb-aeb0-a49be255a293\u0022\u003EBill referred to the Environment Committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000628\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00221dd619d9fdd94970a18b9b109a84e93d\u0022\u003EFood Safety Law Reform Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000629\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00227eefadf831e5466d8e2635bb2915d41a\u0022\u003EIn Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000630\u0022\u003EDebate resumed from 12 December 2017.\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000631\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d9f5f0ab9731444fbc4de5a4fbdf3855\u0022\u003EParts 1 to 4, schedules 1 and 2, and clauses 1 and 2\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022d65a7f4e74f04232a4335e302c82aaec\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000632\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d65a7f4e74f04232a4335e302c82aaec\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Adrian Rurawhe)\u003C/span\u003E: When we were last considering this bill, we were debating the question that Parts 1 to 4, schedules 1 and 2, and clauses 1 and 2 stand part. Tamati Coffey had the call and has one minute and 55 seconds remaining.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022 data-id=\u00225ae3b9e514944554adf60bac690c2ea8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000633\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225ae3b9e514944554adf60bac690c2ea8\u0022\u003ETAMATI COFFEY (Labour\u2014Waiariki):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair, for that. I will take one minute and 55 seconds to try and finish off what I started, which was now three months ago\u2014so, best of luck.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000634\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EThe bill itself\u2014I demonstrated that I was incredibly supportive of this bill. It\u2019s gone through the select committee and all of the suggestions have been made. How controversial is it? Not very controversial; in fact, it\u2019s had quite a bit of favour from the sector itself. So that\u2019s something to be applauded. It\u2019s in response, of course, to the botulism scare that happened here in New Zealand and, as somebody from an electorate that is reliant heavily on tourism, where we encourage people from all around the world to come and visit our shores, we need to make sure that we\u2019re sending a positive message that when you get here our food is going to be safe.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000635\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EThe proposals are mostly enabling or clarifying positions to strengthen the food safety system. We\u2019re going to be, through this bill, implementing the inquiry recommendations, and the bill includes some other minor enhancements and technical amendments. The bill will also amend three main food safety Acts so that, where possible, similar provisions apply across the sectors. As I\u2019ve said, it\u2019s relatively straightforward, this one. It had unanimous support and both sides of the House supported it during the second reading. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000636\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EThe consultation itself took place and there was good support, as I\u2019ve said, from the sector; a very solid piece of work. They also looked into the financial impacts this bill was going to have, and I\u2019m pleased to report that there were no immediate costs from the bill. There may be some cost to the Ministry for Primary Industries and to business to implement the proposals, and that will be explored in more detail as regulations are developed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000637\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003ETwo points that I wanted to\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022 data-id=\u002255b0eb00c37e4723a3348f0dcde6f967\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000638\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002255b0eb00c37e4723a3348f0dcde6f967\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN (NZ First):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Mr Chair. I apologise to my learned colleague; I didn\u2019t realise he had more to say. I take a call on behalf of my colleague Mark Patterson, who\u2019s actually had a family tragedy and so he\u2019s not here this evening, so just to acknowledge him in this moment.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000639\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EOn behalf of New Zealand First, I rise to talk on the Food Safety Law Reform Bill. Just to, I suppose, update the public listening around what this bill does, because it\u2019s been a little time since we last were here discussing it in the committee stage. It was, obviously, as my learned colleague said before, a side effect, or a downstream consequence, of a whey protein concentrate suspected, sort of, botulism issue with Fonterra; more than 1,000 tonnes of consumer product across several countries was affected by a recall of this product. As it turned out, there were no actual cases of consumers becoming ill from the issue that created that recall. But New Zealand prides itself\u2014we have to pride ourselves\u2014on the quality of the food that we produce. We are a food producing nation, still, currently. And while we wish to go forward and, obviously, invest in new technologies and be part of the new digital age and so on, right now we are known best for the food that we grow, the food that we produce, the food that we make. So this bill continues that legacy of making sure that the standards of New Zealand food are not only maintained but can never be questioned by others out there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000640\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EI note that there are a couple of Supplementary Order Papers. I note actually the Supplementary Order Paper I picked up off the table is in the name of the Hon David Bennett, which is lovely to see. I see it\u2019s got some very practical, reasonable things in it, which is why I had to read the name twice, but I think that\u2019s excellent. Thank you very much, Mr Bennett. Thank you very much, Mr Bennett for bringing some practical, reasonable steps into the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000641\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EI do, however, want to acknowledge that New Zealand First did have some qualms, and I probably go to the amendment in section 9, which will amend the Food Act and allow regulation to permit low-THC hemp seed to be in food products. New Zealand First had very collegial conversations with the Minister in the chair. He was able to assure us that a person would have to\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000642\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002203fd985b-4fb8-4111-ba38-5033a254d962\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a7b24028cfe04babb06027582cb49db1\u0022\u003EBrett Hudson\u003C/span\u003E: Over some low-THC hemp.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000643\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b6b875c93abb4625b3dfb86e2702c202\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN\u003C/span\u003E: No, it\u2019s all right, Mr Hudson; I\u2019ll tell you. If you consume a very, very, very large amount of this particular hemp seed, Mr Hudson, it may have some effect. It may have some effect, but thankfully this amendment to section 9, it\u2019s not going to have any really significant downstream effects. It\u2019s low-THC hemp seed in food products, so the Minister was able to alleviate New Zealand First\u2019s fears.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000644\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EThere was another issue, of course, that we did have some concern around\u2014and I think it\u2019s been expressed by members of the select committee, if I can recall correctly conversations that I have had with my colleague\u2014around small artisan food producers and the compliance costs that are a concern to them. If I recall correctly, there was a particular cheese manufacturer from the North for whom our leader, the Rt Hon Winston Peters, wanted to make sure that the compliance costs, the travel that they had to take, and so on was taken into account in this legislation, and we are assured by the Minister\u2019s office that the Ministry for Primary Industries is looking at ways to reduce that compliance burden for small producers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000645\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EI would ask the Minister in the chair whether he would take the opportunity, though, to articulate again the fact that the small and medium sized producers have been taken into account. Those concerns: the distance of travel\u2014I think testing facilities are quite some distance from the North. I\u2019m not sure whether it\u2019s Takapuna\u2014from Whangarei to Takapuna, something like that. For those of you who don\u2019t go north very often, Mr Bennett, that\u2019s about an hour, an hour and a half. It\u2019s quite a long way. The roads are not necessarily very good; there\u2019s been some neglect in that area. So we would really appreciate the opportunity\u2014if the Minister would like to just articulate that for us again so that we can be very clear and we can put our concerns to rest.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000646\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s one other area that I\u2019m very pleased to see, and that\u2019s around the regulations with regard to the criteria included on the need to protect public health and the requirement for any food to be safe and suitable. Making regulations under this new provision requires full Cabinet processes such as public consultation and regulatory impact analysis, including analysis of cost impacts. I wonder if the Minister wouldn\u2019t mind speaking to that also, because, as a parent, obviously, as somebody\u2014well, I eat food, but also there have been times in my life when I\u2019m the person responsible for providing food to young humans. I am interested. I\u2019m relieved to see a statement like that, but I just wonder, to make sure, if the Minister wouldn\u2019t mind articulating and stretching on that for a little bit so that we can give real reassurance to the New Zealand public that these sorts of provisions are in place because the Government recognises that it\u2019s important; there\u2019s an important responsibility to make sure that the food we eat does not harm us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000647\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003EThere is only one other place\u2014my husband is a winemaker, and I note that this bill also amends or impacts on the Wine Act\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000648\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226741b8bebbed40a2a0399802491293a3\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: I wonder why.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000649\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dde86dc86e6049549a192afd4c8f8dc9\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN\u003C/span\u003E: He\u2019s a gold medal - winning winemaker, actually, Mr Bennett\u2014a gold medal - winning winemaker. You should try his pinot noir. But I would be interested, Minister, if you would be able to just give us some clarity about how this bill impacts on the Wine Act 2003. I know you yourself dabble a bit in making a bit of the product, so I thought perhaps you could expand on that, because I know that the winemakers in Martinborough and Central Otago\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000650\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229e8450c5b5e4436ebab08ae7d4ff257c\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: When is she going to get back to the bill?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000651\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f729c7392e4847329797e23b5eb12c7c\u0022\u003EHon TRACEY MARTIN\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014will be riveted\u2014will be riveted, Mr Bennett, to this particular reading because they are very concerned. They produce a high-quality product here in New Zealand. It\u2019s obviously world-renowned, and I just hope that perhaps the Minister could give us some clarity for those winemakers tuned in here this evening, so that we can see how this bill might affect those.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000652\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022530ce0c4-c977-40cb-90fb-754f54931ff1\u0022\u003ESo New Zealand First will be supporting this piece of legislation. We\u2019ve had such a wonderful relationship with the Minister in the chair. He\u2019s alleviated all our fears. The collegial relationship\u2014it\u2019s fascinating, it works very, very well, you know. So we\u2019re more than happy to support the Minister as he passes through this piece of legislation at committee stage. Thank you so much, Mr Chair.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022 data-id=\u0022444545e700a4488996e56eceff466580\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022444545e700a4488996e56eceff466580\u0022\u003EJAMIE STRANGE (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E So as we know, the purpose of this bill amends the three main food safety Acts, the Food Act, Animal Products Act, and Wine Act, to address gaps identified by the whey protein concentrate (WPC) inquiry and make other improvements to the food safety regulatory system. It obviously arose out of the Fonterra botulism, and we know the three purposes: protecting human health, maintaining New Zealand\u2019s reputation, and ensuring steps have been taken to address the recommendations of the WPC inquiry. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000654\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EI\u2019d particularly like to ask the Minister in the chair, Damien O\u2019Connor, if he could please elaborate on the aspect around the low-THC hemp seeds in food products. This is an area I\u2019m particularly interested in. I think that whenever\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000655\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226b104d28e1d74f44afcf870f448f84c7\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, right!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000656\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002245bd81e7005e4402b80569f921e45648\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Ha, ha!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000657\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ca76be7ad8f84f6e872d2e1052a982fe\u0022\u003EJAMIE STRANGE\u003C/span\u003E: Not as interested as some members, but whenever the word \u201Chemp\u201D or \u201Cmarijuana\u201D is mentioned, some people in society tend to freak out. I mean, we\u2019ve just had a bill come through from Chl\u00F6e Swarbrick. Myself, I\u2019d probably lean towards a more socio-conservative model, but when it comes to marijuana and hemp, I think there are aspects of this plant that we shouldn\u2019t be scared of. So I\u2019m really encouraged to see this in the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000658\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003ESo, Minister, if I could just share some of my thoughts around this and then maybe you might want to elaborate and add a few aspects around this, and why the change is needed around the low-THC hempseeds in food products. My understanding is the definition in the Food Act 2014 does not allow substances regulated under health legislation to be in food, even if the level of substance is safe to consume. Food products are continually evolving and New Zealand\u2019s regulatory system must be able to adapt to new business opportunities, consumer preferences, and technological developments, hence the reason why this aspect is included in this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000659\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThe reason it\u2019s needed now is that in April 2017, the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation approved a standard for low-THC hemp to be in food. Under the food treaty with Australia, New Zealand is required to adopt this standard without undue delay, which is what we are doing. The proposed change around this is the amendment to section 9, which was just alluded to before, of the Food Act to allow regulations to permit the low-THC hempseed to be in food products.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000660\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EI know that there were a few concerns raised in the ministerial forum. They originally had concerns about potential impacts on roadside drug-testing and whether marketing low-THC hemp would confuse the public about the acceptability and safety of cannabis\u2014so in a sense blur the lines. But the Minister might want to talk about that. My understanding is these issues have been addressed, but the Minister might want to elaborate on that aspect of it there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000661\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EThe benefits that I understand around having low-THC hemp is that this amendment will also help futureproof the Food Act, because similar interface issues are likely to arise in the future. Food science and technology and the development of foods for health are growing rapidly. For example, a 2015 report by KPMG stated that the annual global nutraceutical market, which the hemp is involved in, is primed for rapid growth and was expected to be worth a lot of money by 2018.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000662\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003ESo I guess just coming back to my original point there around this aspect of the bill, it does seem to be an aspect of society where we have become a little bit nervous when there is mention of the word \u201Chemp\u201D and mention of the word \u201Cmarijuana\u201D, but I do think it\u2019s important to take an objective look at this plant and have a look at the aspects of this plant that can be used for good purposes. I think this bill has done that, which I appreciate. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000663\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c2e823af-22b7-4411-8b12-14d7b43680ea\u0022\u003EIn closing\u2014so, just coming back to the key objectives of this bill, around one I didn\u2019t mention, which is harmonising the implementation of the WPC inquiry recommendations across the three food safety Acts. So it\u2019s about bringing them together, which is, in essence, about simplicity, which is certainly something that makes sense for Governments to do. So I certainly commend this bill to the committee, and I look forward to the Minister\u2019s response around this particular aspect of the bill. Thank you, Mr Chair. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022 data-id=\u00224f186301e4514b5bad5f4cb8092fc56d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000664\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224f186301e4514b5bad5f4cb8092fc56d\u0022\u003ETAMATI COFFEY (Labour\u2014Waiariki):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair. I just want to continue where I left off just before. I was talking about the financial impacts of the bill, about which I stated before that there would be no real immediate costs from the bill, but there are a couple of points I wanted to make. One was that the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) had identified the need to invest in its IT systems to store risk management programmes. As well as that, businesses were set to incur some costs too, and I was wondering if there was some talk about how we could quantify that, just while we\u2019ve got the opportunity to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000665\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EThere were some amendments to the Food Act that I wanted to also bring up and touch on and get some clarification on, on top of that. As a small-business owner and as a hospitality provider myself, I\u2019m quite familiar with the Food Act and the amendments made to it. Now, the Food Act\u2014for those people that don\u2019t know it\u2014overarches the whole food regulatory system here in New Zealand. The amendments made in this part were for the purpose of implementing the inquiry recommendations and also for imposing the new design for delegated legislation and clarifying the relationship between both of those, and also to make other changes for overall improvement and consistency. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000666\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EI wanted to bring in clause 8, which has been removed, and I just wanted to know a bit more about that area. That would have required operators to send full copies of their plans to their verifiers. Now this change was made, apparently, because of the likely compliance impact on businesses, which would be greater than the food safety gains. Some select committee members have stated their discomfort with that being removed, but despite all of that happening, it did go through, and the members of the committee supported the bill through to its second reading. So I would like to know just a wee bit more about that, too. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000667\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EAlso, clause 24 in that particular part of the amendments to the Food Act\u2014that was also removed. It stated that it would\u2019ve required a verifying agency to hold and store copies of food control plans supplied by the operators. Now, I guess, from the outset, it looks like quite a reasonable thing to expect, so I\u2019m just looking to find out why exactly it was removed\u2014again, just while we\u2019ve got the opportunity. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000668\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EClause 25 was also removed, and that there would\u2019ve required a verifier not working for an agency to hold and store copies of food control plans supplied by the operator. It seems that maybe the rationale was the same as the first one\u2014clause 24\u2014being removed, but I\u2019d just like to hear a bit more clarification around that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000669\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EAll in all, I think that the bill is a very solid piece of work, and I commend the committee and all of the work that\u2019s gone into it for that reason. There is one little pit that I did want to point out, especially around giving the Director-General of MPI the permission to compel parties that provide services to a food business to provide information, and then to also be able to inform the public as well, which I think is a good move in terms of efficiency and time. I\u2019d just like to hear a bit of the background behind that, and also just say that MPI and their statutory role in contingency planning\u2014all in all, with those few modifications, I think that it will lead to a better system, all in all. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000670\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EAgain, I\u2019ve got nothing else to specifically point out in this, but there\u2019s just a few clarifications that I\u2019m hoping we might be able to get on that piece. Thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022 data-id=\u00228eeea98314f843118a60bf3127197652\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000671\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228eeea98314f843118a60bf3127197652\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT (National\u2014Hamilton East):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chair. I\u2019d just like to first of all thank the Labour Party for supporting this bill. I think that it\u2019s really important that we have support across the House. The speeches tonight have shown an indication\u2014maybe through the speaking notes, but\u2014of certainly some of the issues\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000672\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022312b94eb389042e5ac77e14d7fa214cc\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, come on!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000673\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225727cf77b95a4fbe945f9ce26c8e35c2\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014that have arisen in this bill, and I\u2019d just like to thank you. I don\u2019t give praise to the left very often, but in this case it is great to see that you are actually doing the right thing for New Zealand for once and supporting this bill. [Interruption] I know, I know, it\u2019s difficult for you to accept that, but this legislation\u2019s really important. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000674\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s important for a number of factors. First of all, New Zealand is a food-producing country, and we need to have the highest standards of food production and for people to have confidence in those rules and regulations that are in this country. That\u2019s a crucial part of enabling New Zealanders, who are consumers, to actually have some security and that what they buy actually meets the standards. Also\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000675\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022443c1b08d9d44f33995cf6705982c941\u0022\u003EHon Dr David Clark\u003C/span\u003E: Careful\u2014it makes your hair fall out. That member should know. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220637ccdf4b8d4802be0537a70bd167ea\u0022\u003EHon DAVID BENNETT\u003C/span\u003E: The member over there, who is balder than anyone else in this House\u2014it\u2019s great to hear him talking about hair loss. But I\u2019m sure that as Minister of Health, he\u2019ll work for some solutions in that area. But it is really important for New Zealanders to be able to have confidence, and also for us as an export-industry country that really exports a lot of food products that we have those high standards here. So I think it is great that we see the Government parties supporting this bill along with the Opposition here tonight. I think that shows that Parliament is supportive of the general health and well-being of all New Zealanders but also is supporting our export industries in a way that I think we can all be very proud of. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000677\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EThere are some changes that have occurred during the process of this bill, and those reflect some accommodations with our Australian colleagues. We\u2019ve heard about the THC and other things there that actually reflect the joint arrangements between the two countries around food safety. That\u2019s a unique arrangement\u2014where two countries work together under the same regulatory system\u2014and I think that\u2019s something that\u2019s also very impressive in our system. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000678\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EBut, in saying that, this is not a bill that necessarily will solve all problems. The food safety and integrity issue is a difficult one, and there\u2019s always going to be issues around compliance costs and balancing that against achieving the goals of higher standards of level for the safety of our consumers. That\u2019s a difficult balance to achieve, and I\u2019d just like to thank the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) personally for the great work that they and their officials do in supporting this bill but also for the way that they actually implement this legislation. They\u2019ll get some pressure from food producers who think that they are too regulatory, but at the same time they have a very important role to play in our system of maintaining that integrity, not only for our consumers but also for \u201CBrand New Zealand\u201D. So I think that we should all thank MPI for their great work in this area. It\u2019s not an easy process. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000679\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s good to see that Minister Damien O\u2019Connor is also supporting this bill passing through. It is under a time frame that needs to be passed, and we recognise that. With the contribution of all parties in this House, I think that we can actually work towards a food system that is strong and maintains the values that all political parties would want to see in our New Zealand food system, but, at the same time, it gives consumers comfort and direction around some of the issues that are involved. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000680\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003ESo this is good to see it coming through the parliamentary process. It\u2019s not perfect. It will take some time to work through. But we need to be engaging, and this is a very good first step. With the good work of MPI and the understanding of food producers and consumers, I think we can all work towards getting a very good resolution of these issues for the benefit of all going forward. So I thank all members for their support. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u0022971b952154c6491890338b996184d5c5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000681\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022971b952154c6491890338b996184d5c5\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister of Police):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Mr Chair. Unlike the last member, David Bennett, I\u2019d like to just talk about a couple of issues in the bill. I just have a couple of questions around process, really, that, hopefully, the Minister will answer. I mean, I agree with the previous member\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000682\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022dc6c0f88-e781-476d-bca1-d1bf9b69302b\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220f7e61e6f3024b72913daf6a6449b024\u0022\u003EHon Amy Adams\u003C/span\u003E: No, you don\u2019t. You\u2019re filibustering\u2014be honest. We can see it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000683\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022285577ea8bad4d968c24863ecaf95dd0\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Leadership bid started already. We\u2019re going to hear it. They\u2019re all going to line up and they\u2019re all going to have a go every time there\u2019s something on. Get the face on TV and go hard\u2014go hard, Amy. Here we go. In the Hansard\u2014filibustering.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000684\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s no leadership bids going on here; I actually have some real genuine questions for the Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000685\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022335d29422b8b4dcaad26416e1c365058\u0022\u003EIan McKelvie\u003C/span\u003E: Ask him after hours.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000686\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229add83df49f24369800a3da5f20b9026\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Are you going to put your hand up for the leadership as well, Mr McKelvie? Go hard. Or does it mean, because he\u2019s sitting beside Amy, that he\u2019s\u2014he\u2019s asking Amy at the moment, \u201CWhat can you give me if I vote?\u201D Here we go. It\u2019s all beginning. And then he\u2019s going to go and someone else is going to come and sit down. We\u2019re going to have this all night. They\u2019re going to come in and out. It\u2019s going to be the best show in town.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000687\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EAnyway, anyway, here we go. Back to the bill\u2014and thank you very much, Mr Chair; I was just a bit distracted by that member having a go and I thought\u2014anyway. Clause 233 talks about \u201CNotification of certain matters\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000688\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220a54099f561e4d559f664b097251bba8\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Yeah, that\u2019s important.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000689\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221d87ff30820a47b798a2fa1015cfd721\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: And it is important because what it says here is the director-general\u2014and this is important\u2014\u201C\u2026 must\u2014(a) publish the notice, or notification that it has been issued, in the Gazette;\u201D, and this is how notices have been communicated to the general public in the trade for time immemorial. But what it does say here, it talks about \u201Cwhere the Director-General considers it practicable, cause the notice to be brought to the attention of persons likely to be affected \u2026 by [the] notice [, by] publication in any newspaper or trade journal,\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000690\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe question I have here is what is the test when we talk about \u201Cconsiders it practicable\u201D? The reason I ask that is that it is very easy for the director-general to say to any notice, \u201CLet\u2019s just put this in the trade journal, or let\u2019s put it in a little public notice in any newspaper.\u201D The concern I have about these notices is they do affect the health and well-being of a business. If someone has made a decision based on a certain regulation or something, then the director-general issues a notice\u2014and they should be looking in the Gazette, but I actually think this should be published; this must be published in trade journals, or we must do whatever we can to actually get that information out there to people who are likely to be affected.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000691\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EAnd again, what is the test around \u201Clikely to be affected\u201D? Is that a test that the director-general him or herself is going to make? Or is it actually an objective test? But we can move away from this if we say that they must be published in trade journals or in newspapers. It is not a hard test\u2014or even if we specify a newspaper over a readership of say 100,000 so we know it\u2019s going to go in the Dominion Post, or the New Zealand Herald, etc. It\u2019s not hard to give effect to. The last thing I would want to see is these notices just published in the Gazette when it would\u2019ve been really easy for the director-general just to direct his or her staff to put it in trade journals. It just makes it a lot easier. It is very important, as the last member alluded to, for the integrity of the system that people have the ability to get the information required to undertake business.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000692\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EAnother point I\u2019d like a bit of clarification on is new section 118A, inserted by clause 234. This talks about \u201CAutomated electronic systems\u201D. I\u2019m assuming\u2014and I could be wrong here\u2014reading new section 118A, we\u2019re talking about an email system. But I\u2019m not too sure if my assumption\u2019s correct. It says here, \u201CThe Director-General\u201D\u2014and, again, I\u2019m quoting\u2014\u201Cmay arrange for the use of an automated electronic system to do the actions\u201D, and the actions are \u201C(a) [the] exercising a power: (b) carrying out a function: (c) carrying out a duty:\u201D, so they\u2019re quite important. But, again, under what circumstances, or what safeguards are in place to ensure that the director-general\u2019s actions are actually communicated and received?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000693\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EIf we go to new section 118A(4) subparagraph (a) and (b) it says, \u201CThe Director-General may make an arrangement only if satisfied that\u2014\u201D, and I quote, \u201C(a) the system has the capacity to do the action with reasonable reliability;\u201D. And this is where my concern rests. What is the definition of \u201Creasonable reliability\u201D? Is it the fact that the director-general has communicated with this person or this organisation more than once and got a reply? Or is it an assumption because someone has got an email address that they\u2019re going to receive the message? What is the test around that?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000694\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EWhat it does say is it talks about, and I quote\u2014this is new section 118A(4)(b)\u2014\u201C(b) a process is available under which a person affected by an action done by the system can have the action reviewed\u201D\u2014I know I\u2019m going on a bit here, but it\u2019s important\u2014\u201Cby a person described \u2026 without undue delay.\u201D Again, I\u2019m not too sure what the definition of \u201Cundue delay\u201D might be. Because we\u2019re talking about notices, here, that can have an impact on someone\u2019s business. Is \u201Cundue delay\u201D within 24 hours? Is it within a week? Is it within a month? So just a little bit of guidance around what undue delay actually represents. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000695\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe reason I ask these questions is I would hate for the judiciary to have to interpret what these are because someone comes forward and says, \u201CI did not receive the notice. You might\u2019ve sent me an email, but I was out of the country.\u201D, or \u201CThat email isn\u2019t used.\u201D, and the Ministry for Primary Industries says, \u201CWell, we believed that you\u2019d received this without undue delay, and we expected you would get it within a day.\u201D, and the person says, \u201CI was in Uzbekistan. I wasn\u2019t back for a week\u2014I was negotiating some sort of trade deal\u2014undue delay?\u201D So I just think a little bit of a clarification around that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000696\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe other thing it says, and this is quite interesting because what it does say\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000697\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022141fefdbb2494696b7563b6edf21e55a\u0022\u003EIan McKelvie\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019ve got to remember this speech\u2019ll be on record.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000698\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022551d3165a3694605b9c923ebc24d6e93\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Mr McKelvie will be interested in this\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000699\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002278c92222142e43be99a6088610ae7084\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: We want to hear about Greg. Greg O\u2019Connor\u2019s cowshed is better than this.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000700\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e3eba26919af492ab8e4de60113b6b38\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014and certainly Mr Bennett will be interested in this, because I know that Mr Bennett\u2019s passion as a dairy farmer is food safety. For the first time I heard someone from a former Government talk about \u201CBrand New Zealand\u201D\u2014from the dairy industry. How ironic now that we\u2019re putting all this sort of stuff in place. Mr Bennett used to give me a lot of gyp about talking about \u201CBrand New Zealand\u201D, but here we are.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000701\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003ESo this is new section 118A(6), and it says, and I quote\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000702\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022eaf79431-1033-44f1-a633-22633da52c0d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b898c681c23c433592528da3a6dce0ac\u0022\u003EHon David Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: Say \u201CBrand New Zealand\u201D again. Say it with a deep voice. Say it like a man.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000703\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225dc21519fd674235b3d7dd4ceaeaf06b\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: A dairy farmer\u2014talk about \u201CBrand New Zealand\u201D. They\u2019re the ones that get the benefit, and yet some of them\u2014not Mr Bennett; he\u2019s a dairy farmer that acts, I know, with integrity, but some don\u2019t, and I would like to see Mr Bennett hold more of them to account.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000704\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EAnyway, we\u2019re talking about the previous bill, or the bill before the bill. But anyway, what it says here\u2014and this is most interesting\u2014and I quote, \u201CThe Director-General must consult the Privacy Commissioner about including in an arrangement actions that involve the collection or use of personal information.\u201D So what does this actually mean? So does this mean that every time the director-general goes out to a supplier or a customer or someone who is involved in this and asks for personal information\u2014I mean, I\u2019m assuming personal information is also about business information and where do you live, what\u2019s the address of your company, etc.\u2014that they\u2019re going to have to consult the Privacy Commissioner? Or is the Privacy Commissioner going actually to come up with a ruling that states that this is the sort of information that the director-general can collect with impunity? I would suspect that every time the Privacy Commissioner sent out an automated electronic notice or request\u2014i.e., let\u2019s assume it\u2019s an email\u2014that asks for personal information, it will be incredibly onerous if they have to go to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and get a ruling on whether they can actually collect the information they\u2019re asking for.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000705\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EThe reason I ask this is that we are operating in the 21st century. I am all for automated electronic systems. We need to move to the 21st century where electronic systems are the norm, they\u2019re the way of doing business, because, let\u2019s be honest about this, writing letters and that sort of carry on isn\u2019t the way forward. So we\u2019ve got to just get this sorted. Whenever someone asks, you know, \u201CMr McKelvie\u2019s a farmer, can I collect information from him?\u201D, going to the Privacy Commissioner to ask if they can actually collect this information, I would\u2019ve thought, could be quite onerous.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000706\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003EI\u2019m just after a little bit of clarification about what this actually means but also what we\u2019re trying to achieve here. We have got systems like the New Zealand Business Number, for example, on which a supplier, a business, or a sole trader can enter all the information required. So I\u2019m just sort of wondering what sort of personal information we\u2019re trying to collect that would require a trip to the Privacy Commissioner. The Privacy Commissioner is an office we hold in high integrity\u2014there\u2019s no doubt about that. The Privacy Commissioner must, and I totally agree, be satisfied that the information that is being requested is done so for a proper reason.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000707\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e29e0d54c0b14f328b3e1550e12f2a0a\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Oh, of course.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000708\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222ed6887ec43a4685ad861ea0ace83de2\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Absolutely. So I\u2019m just seeing where we\u2019re coming from on this. The interesting thing, the last point I\u2019ll make in the last 13 seconds is in new clause 118B(2), inserted by section 234, it says, \u201CAn action allowed or required by this Act done by the system\u2014\u2026 (b) is not invalid by virtue only of the fact that it is done by [a] system.\u201D I look at this and I wonder what this actually means.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022 data-id=\u00229feffaaf665c4c45bb0bdd45cee55e34\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000709\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229feffaaf665c4c45bb0bdd45cee55e34\u0022\u003EHon DAMIEN O\u2019CONNOR (Minister for Food Safety):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Chairman. I thought it best that I take a call before I started forgetting all the questions that have been put to me. I guess the bill hasn\u2019t been in the House for some time and there may be some people who are listening who may not have quite worked out what it\u2019s all about, so I thought I would go back to basics. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000710\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EThis bill is a very important piece of legislation. Unfortunately, because of the false botulism scare\u2014which was an international debacle, effectively\u2014we weren\u2019t in the position to properly test milk powder that was thought to have botulism in it. As we do always take a precautionary approach, we went out and alerted some of our trading partners, and that has literally cost us hundreds of millions of dollars. Subsequent to that, the previous Government held an inquiry. It came back with recommendations\u2014in fact, there were 38 of them in all. It did undertake some very good work\u2014I acknowledge the set-up and establishment of the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre and the Food Safety and Assurance Advisory Council\u2014and it conducted a number of other practical operational changes that we hope will prevent any such thing in the future. I will acknowledge the previous Minister of Food Safety, David Bennett, and his, I guess, shepherding of this bill into the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000711\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EI have to say there have been a lot of very good questions put to me in the committee and there have been a lot of others. Can I just say, firstly\u2014and starting to address some put by our coalition partner, New Zealand First\u2014they have consistently raised issues about the impact of food legislation on small producers. Can I assure the Hon Tracey Martin, in regard to the question that she asked on behalf of her colleagues, that we are as a Government moving to reduce the compliance on small innovative food producers and to ease the pathway for them to develop the new products that might take New Zealand into the future. This Government will assist us to move from being a country that produces lambs and logs and produces meat and the best bulls, to producing the finest-quality food for the world\u2019s most discerning customers. That\u2019s what we want to do. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000712\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EA lot of that innovation and creativity comes from small operators around the country, and we are doing a number of things. We are progressing a range of initiatives that will help reduce the time, the effort, and the cost required for small food-business owners to meet the food safety regulations. We make no apology for those regulations being stringent, because we need to produce the safest food in the world. But we have to acknowledge that for small operators around the country, who might be incurring the cost of long travel distance to far-flung-out places\u2014and they\u2019re just producing a small amount of food, but it\u2019s great food\u2014they have to incur the cost of flights, of travel, and of verification. We are looking to bring a lot of that online and to reduce, I guess, the ongoing compliance costs. But we must ensure that they continue to produce safe food. That\u2019s paramount. So an assurance for the Minister there, on behalf of her colleagues, and, of course, the rest of Parliament, which wants to ensure that we have a good food safety regime. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000713\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EI\u2019ll speak briefly to a couple of\u2014oh well, before I\u2019ll go to that, I guess, just in answer to a few other questions that have come from my colleagues. To my associate, Minister Nash, he\u2019s asking about what \u201Cpracticable\u201D means. I could turn the table on him and say, well, it\u2019s a bit like what \u201Cprecautionary\u201D means in fishing. There\u2019s a lot of variation in it, and can I say that we have to trust the people who implement this to do it in the right way. It\u2019s up to Ministers in Government to keep an eye on them, and I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll do that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000714\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003ECan I come back to the Supplementary Order Papers, and there are two of them, doing a couple of things. It was raised, again by New Zealand First\u2014who have concerns about allowing people to eat hemp seed. I have to say it\u2019s a low THC. Actually, THC in itself doesn\u2019t do a lot to give you a buzz, and so I\u2019d have to say\u2014well, actually I apologise. That\u2019s not quite true. The THC will, but the cannabidiol won\u2019t\u2014and so a slight mistake there on my part. There\u2019s no way that we\u2019re promoting the consumption of high THC hemp seed, or will allow that. But the reality is that we\u2019re going to have to change, through the Supplementary Order Paper, the definition of \u201Cfood\u201D because, as we know, people are eating lots of things safely as food. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000715\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EI have to say I can remember the first time they put a flower on my plate. I looked down with horror, wondering what to do with it, but I was assured that you could eat the flower safely. I\u2019m more familiar with tutu, which is actually the flower down in my patch that if you ate it, you wouldn\u2019t do too well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000716\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EThe point is that we have to ensure the systems in place protect us. This change in definition will allow people to consume hemp seed, but it\u2019s not going to give them a buzz or make them sick\u2014other than huge amounts of consumption of seed, which may do strange things to your body, but not to your mind. So it\u2019s a sensible progression. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000717\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EThe other Supplementary Order Paper, which was brought in at the last minute, is one to ensure that the Dietary Supplements Regulations won\u2019t expire, as they are deemed to do in 2019 under current legislation. We\u2019re taking the opportunity in this piece of legislation to extend out to 1 March 2021 those regulations, to give us plenty of time to have a review of them and to go through and make the tweaks that we may need. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000718\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003ECan I just say that I appreciate, as I say, the introduction of this bill by the previous National Government. The fact that we supported it through\u2014it\u2019s had unanimous support in the House all the way through, and we\u2019ll pass this as quickly as we can. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000719\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022471dee54-f59e-4497-b3d3-c39044ce7169\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s been a long and sorry saga around the WPC80 dilemma, but we\u2019ve used the opportunity\u2014made the best of a good crisis, I suppose\u2014to improve the legislation and to hook on a couple of other changes that will improve the regime around food safety in this country, so that we can rightfully stand up and say that we produce the best food, the safest food. We\u2019ve got legislation in place that can be implemented, and any of our trading partners can come here and check the legislation and check the practices carried out by the officials. On top of that, of course, it will provide pathways for young, often, but small innovative food producers\u2014people with new ideas to create new food that will take this country into the future. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022 data-id=\u00227d638e69db054569b828ad8822f19475\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000720\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227d638e69db054569b828ad8822f19475\u0022\u003EHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Minister of Customs):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair. I\u2019m pleased to take a call on the Food Safety Law Reform Bill. Just by way of opening remarks, I thank the Minister for taking a call to remind us all of the purpose of this bill. Can I also acknowledge the Hon David Bennett and, obviously, the former Government, from which the bill originated as a result of the botulism scare in 2013, and, obviously, the decision by Cabinet in 2014 to limit the scope of this bill. So thank you to the Minister for explaining that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000721\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThe bill, as he\u2019s quite rightly indicated, is another measure to ensure food safety production in this industry, which is very important to many of the folk around the country. While the Minister was explaining and answering some of the former questions, it reminded me that where I come from, the Hawke\u2019s Bay, I enjoy frequently, every Sunday morning, the Hawke\u2019s Bay Farmers\u2019 Market. They seem to have become a regular feature in many of our electorates.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000722\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EAt that fair, I\u2019m always impressed with the innovation in the food that\u2019s been presented over the many years that I\u2019ve been going to the Hawke\u2019s Bay Farmers\u2019 Market\u2014food like olive oil, and recently we\u2019ve been having ostrich meat on the menu. I do want to say, in relation to Part 1 of this bill, Minister, where you talked about the verification process, I did have the occasion to talk to a particular supplier who passed on his comments around the supply of ostrich meat and his determination to farm ostrich meat. But he did pass on the drawn-out verification process that he had to face. In fact, he talked about it taking more than 12 months to get verification.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000723\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003ESo there is a part in Part 1 of this particular bill that addresses verification and, I guess, putting it in layman\u2019s terms for this particular supplier, I\u2019d be keen for you to give the House, if possible, a bit more detail on how you see the verification process actually being rolled out. You talked about website tools to make that possible. But I\u2019m sure, for you as a West Coast MP and me as an East Coast MP\u2014nothing beats the face-to-face engagement on the ground to help facilitate the ongoing innovation that a lot of our small providers in the food industry are keen to unveil.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000724\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EI do know that you touched on this, Minister, but for the gentleman that I had the pleasure of not only tasting his ostrich meat but actually listening to some of his concerns in Hawke\u2019s Bay around verification, I would ask if the Minister would just make it crystal clear how he sees it rolling out, both in terms of people on the ground where our small operators are, as well as the self-help tools that you addressed in terms of making the process a lot more seamless online. So, Minister, that\u2019s an important question for some of our small providers in the Hawke\u2019s Bay where I come from, and I\u2019m hoping that you can give a bit more clarity and certainty to the question around verification and making it a lot more seamless for our very small but very innovative operators around the country. Thanks very much for that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022 data-id=\u0022e2582809f1a14996998e130d0f0d53e4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000725\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e2582809f1a14996998e130d0f0d53e4\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much. I\u2019m very excited to be able to rise and speak to this bill. My colleagues and I here on this side of the House take this issue seriously. I can\u2019t help but note that in the list of speakers that have risen to speak on this bill, only one has come from the National Party. What message does that send to producers and, indeed, consumers\u2014not just here domestically but internationally as well\u2014when something as crucial as this is not getting the debate that it deserves?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000726\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EI do note that the only speaker to rise from that side of the House, the Hon David Bennett, said this: \u201CThis bill will take some time to work through.\u201D What that says to me is this deserves the debate that this issue warrants. This issue deserves to have the time and the scrutiny, for people to actually take it seriously and stand here and discuss it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000727\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EI would specifically like to touch on clause 23 and clause 112. I\u2019ve just come from an event here in Parliament. The honourable Minister was there as guest speaker, and two groups of food producers from the Wairarapa and Hawke\u2019s Bay regions, the shepherds and grasshoppers, a longstanding association of producers who\u2019ve got together to advocate for their industries. I think they\u2019d be concerned to see that the party that portrays itself as one that advocates for the rural sector has not even bothered to talk about this bill tonight. But we will, and we have, and we will continue to do so.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000728\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022106966ef-8cc3-434a-9dbe-dd76b708c2a1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002219a96043778041d6b96f82bfc34b0927\u0022\u003EHon Andrew Little\u003C/span\u003E: Because we\u2019ve got a good Minister.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000729\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022697ca87374b3438597094eb09a216cca\u0022\u003EKIERAN McANULTY\u003C/span\u003E: We have a marvellous Minister; a universally acclaimed and admired and respected Minister\u2014mainly by those that don\u2019t know him.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000730\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EClause 23 inserts New Part 3A, and Subpart 1 of that brings together and clarifies some very important requirements. It is around the provisions for tracing and recall. We\u2019ve heard tonight how important our image is to our export sector. How we are perceived as a country is directly linked to the demand that we see, particularly overseas. As consumers get more educated and more discerning, so it is more important that New Zealand lives up to international standards and lives up to how we portray ourselves overseas as a food producer. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000731\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EIndeed, the requirements that this bill is proposing to make in the amendments to the Food Act, specifically around tracing and recall, give confidence to those consumers and give confidence to our producers and exporters that we can say, just like producers in the UK and just like some producers in the United States, that if there is an issue, we can have the measures in place to be able to recall it quickly and trace back to the source of the problem.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000732\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EOf course, it was the false botulism scare that brought rise to this bill. We as a country, as an exporting nation, cannot afford to make those same mistakes again, and I\u2019m pleased that clause 23 does bring in requirements so that producers do have to have provisions in place for adequate tracing and recall. Similarly, in the proposed amendments in Part 2\u2014the amendments to the Animal Products Act\u2014clause 112 inserts New Part 6A, with a similar subpart, and this is, as outlined, very similar to that in clause 23 in that it brings in requirements for tracing and recall.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000733\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a1f7bbd1-b6ae-41c0-963b-dbe1251f5540\u0022\u003EOf course, all food that is produced here and exported needs to be able to be recalled if there is an issue. The fact that this wasn\u2019t here before the botulism scare is a concern, and I do acknowledge the officials and the previous Minister\u2014and, of course, our Minister here\u2014for putting work into this so that we can put confidence back into our export sector and food producing sector. As this bill clearly outlines in the purpose, it\u2019s not just animal products and it\u2019s not just food either; it\u2019s all products of the primary industries that we export as a nation so that we can live up to our clean, green, pure New Zealand brand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022 data-id=\u00228406851aa83a46eda728610b14091d75\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000734\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228406851aa83a46eda728610b14091d75\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair Tolley. It\u2019s a pleasure to stand and take a call on this, the Food Safety Law Reform Bill. I would like to agree with the Hon David Bennett in what he said before, in that this bill is a very important bill. It is important to give people confidence, and it\u2019s important for people\u2019s health and well-being. He did mention that there will be compliance costs, etc. and things like that, but, in all honesty and in all fairness, if we don\u2019t look to pass this bill the cost to this country could be far greater than some compliance costs. As a country, we pride ourselves that we supply food to consumers here at home and to other countries around the world, and that they can be assured it is safe and of high quality, and this particular piece of legislation is one that we should take note of. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000735\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EAs we know, it was the whey protein concentrate (WPC) contamination incident that brought our reputation into question. It caused significant damage to our reputation and damage to customer relationships. While this did turn out to be a false alarm, it was a very expensive one that cost in excess of well over $180 million, and that, ultimately, came directly out of farmers\u2019 pockets. There were two inquiries after the incident, and this bill that we have before us is a result of the recommendations made from the inquiry. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000736\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EAlthough the inquiry was originally based around the dairy sector, the purpose of this bill is to amend three Acts: the Food Act 2014, the Animal Products Act 1999, and the Wine Act 2003. This bill ensures that recommendations made from the WPC inquiry have been addressed. It is intended to better protect human health. We need to know our food is safe for consumption\u2014don\u2019t we; we don\u2019t want to risk our health unnecessarily\u2014and to ensure our international reputation as a supplier of food that is totally safe for consumption both here and internationally. Reputation is everything, especially for an economy like ours that relies heavily on export. More than 10 percent of New Zealand\u2019s gross domestic product is from our food sector, and that is actually quite substantial. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000737\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EIn Part 1, amended section 43 set out in clause 7, is, ultimately, about managing risk and vulnerability; we simply can\u2019t risk having issues such as the botulism scare. It is simply too costly, not only financially but also to our reputation. Operators will be required to submit food control plans for registration, and this allows the registration authority the ability to have full and clear information about what the operator\u2019s risk management processes are. It is vital that there are robust plans and processes in place. It not only gives us assurance that there are actual risk management plans in place but also ensures that operators know what is required of them and how they will demonstrate competency\u2014that is, in regard to how operators intend to demonstrate that staff have appropriate training in food production, processing, and handling. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000738\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003EThis bill takes four tools that are currently in the Food Act and puts them into the Animal Products and Wine Acts. These tools will encourage compliance and incentivise behaviour, which is more favourable than immediate prosecution. These tools are improvement notices, infringement regime compliance orders, and court order penalty for commercial gain if found guilty. This bill is about managing risk and our vulnerability.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u0022cabb0062df18462aa6d41e638251db1f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000739\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cabb0062df18462aa6d41e638251db1f\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley)\u003C/span\u003E: Just before I call the next speaker, I know the member\u2019s a new member, but you really should not be reading a speech in the committee stage. Try and do it without reading it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022 data-id=\u0022407eff46827b4beb9fd2632af8a90c8f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000740\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022407eff46827b4beb9fd2632af8a90c8f\u0022\u003ERINO TIRIKATENE (Labour\u2014Te Tai Tonga):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chair Tolley. I\u2019m delighted to take a call on the Food Safety Law Reform Bill. I want to focus on the design aspects around the regulation-making powers and notices\u2014the delegated legislation, so to speak, which is a core aspect of this bill. A bouquet is owing to the officials who have drafted this bill, because, effectively, the actual, real guts of everything that this amendment bill is wanting to do will be found in regulations, and, potentially, in notices that will be made as well. This legislation clarifies the regulation-making power for all delegated legislation that sits under the three Acts that we\u2019re amending.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000741\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI guess a best-practice model was followed around delegated legislation based around the Legislation Design and Advisory Committee guidelines, and I think that\u2019s very important, because there needs to be consistency. Yes, we are having the power and authority of Parliament to pass primary legislation\u2014you know, it gets proper scrutiny, as we\u2019re doing through the House. For regulation-type powers, obviously, that goes only through Order in Council by the Governor-General, so it has less checks and balances, I guess. Then, further\u2014I guess a step down from there\u2014is the issuing of notices by the chief executive of the ministry. For instance, in the Food Act, it\u2019s the Ministry for Primary Industries. So there is a hierarchy of delegated legislation, which is integral and central to this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000742\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EI believe that the officials have pitched it right, but what I would just like to have clarified\u2014I guess an issue for me is that it is prescribed, the situations where, for instance, a chief executive must issue a notice, and it is prescribed around regulations, and practically every second or third provision is all around regulations and/or notices. But for me, I guess, the concern is around the thresholds of what a chief executive is responsible for, because, indeed, a chief executive can also delegate his or her powers to other officials within the ministry. So that\u2019s also a part of it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000743\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EWhat we\u2019re doing, though, is we\u2019re taking away the scrutiny of Parliament, we\u2019re taking away the ability to review and to give proper consideration, and we\u2019re putting more power and authority into the hands of officials and bureaucrats. I think we must always be careful around how much power we are prepared to devolve to unelected bureaucrats who are discharging functions under the empowering legislation, but I guess it\u2019s the subject matter that is crucial. So I would just urge Minister O\u2019Connor, through his officials, to ensure that there is very thorough, comprehensive consultation that is to take place with the industry\u2014with all participants, food companies who are impacted by this legislation\u2014to ensure that those powers are set correctly, to ensure that powers that are delegated are appropriate. That will give confidence to the food sector in general and to the New Zealand public in general that there are appropriate decision-making delegated powers at the right level for the appropriate decisions that have to be made under this legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000744\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EBut, apart from that, I do commend the officials for what they have done in drafting this legislation, and I\u2019m looking forward to it being implemented fully through the enactment of those regulations that will come into force in due course. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000745\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EThe question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Papers 316 and 11 in the name of the Hon Damien O\u2019Connor be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000746\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EAmendments agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000747\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EParts 1 to 4, Schedules 1 and 2, and clauses 1 and 2 as amended agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000748\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002281825190-fd5d-4ed0-bb80-f12f3c93e653\u0022\u003EBill to be reported with amendment presently.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022\u003EBills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000749\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a943f9ad4c754b37b06e3ba1145ba539\u0022\u003ECustoms and Excise Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000750\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022684bf8f0e4364826afa5289625ece5d8\u0022\u003EIn Committee\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u0022879d3ce428164661b74341e03423fbe1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000751\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022879d3ce428164661b74341e03423fbe1\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley)\u003C/span\u003E: In accordance with a determination of the Business Committee, the debate will be conducted on the following four themes: information disclosure, powers and obligations, revenue and trade, and mechanics and miscellaneous. There will be no debate on clauses 1 and 2, but clause 2 may be referred to in relation to the commencement of provisions as they are debated. The Chairperson will determine the length of the debate on each theme, so there will be no closure motions accepted. There is no limit, however, on the number of calls per member. However, the practice will continue that no more than two consecutive calls will be given per member. All questions will be put at the end of the debate. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000752\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u002227184489f2624d8cbcd450d23e926c33\u0022\u003EInformation Disclosure\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000753\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ac15c6a788cb4d8fa6d73924e4125970\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, we come first to the debate on information disclosure, comprising Part 5, Subparts 5 and 6.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022 data-id=\u002262bdaed3274f4ec7be3019088b25a338\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000754\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002262bdaed3274f4ec7be3019088b25a338\u0022\u003EHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Minister of Customs):\u003C/span\u003E Madam Chair, thank you very much. It\u2019s indeed a privilege and a pleasure to oversee the ushering of this very important bill, the Customs and Excise Bill. By way of opening the discussion, can I first acknowledge the former Ministers, the Hon Tim Macindoe and, of course, the Hon Maggie Barry, who definitely had a hand in this bill that we are discussing tonight. I\u2019m looking enthusiastically for the contributions that I know are going to appear as we deal with it theme by theme. Despite the time, I know that there\u2019s going to be a lot of contribution given to this very important legislation. This is a non-controversial piece of legislation, but it\u2019s a very important piece of legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000755\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EWe are attempting to modernise the Customs and Excise Act, which hasn\u2019t been modernised for up to 20 years. In some parts of the Act, it\u2019s about a hundred years in which it hasn\u2019t been touched, so this is an attempt to bring it into the modern world. The legislation will be more flexible to respond to a changing global environment and changes in business and border management practices, and the bill will balance the protection of the nation with individual rights. Just for members\u2019 information, the bill carries over most of the current Act, with, of course, the key policy changes to bring the legislation into line with modern technology and business practices.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000756\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EFor members of the House, I want to acknowledge that business have been involved throughout the policy development stages of the bill and consulted on the draft. If there was an exemplar bill that we would put up where stakeholders have been actively involved in its crafting, then I would definitely nominate this one. The Customs Service will continue to engage with business in developing regulations, customs rules, and staff guidelines.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000757\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThe major policy change is in relation to greater information-sharing between customs and other Government agencies: disclosing information on people and goods and crossing the border for national security, law enforcement, public health, and safety purposes. Information will also be able to be disclosed to implement or guide Government policy, such as free-trade agreements or to maintain regulatory regimes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000758\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003ETo increase certainty about how customs must manage its information and circumstances and conditions under which information may be disclosed, the bill provides for information-sharing agreements made at the ministerial level for domestic arrangements, or chief executive level for international arrangements. Agreements will specify protection for personal and commercially sensitive information, and give a more efficient and transparent process for the sharing of information. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000759\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThis bill attempts to be better for businesses. It will be easier for traders to do business and to interact with customs. The bill also is attempting to provide greater certainty around excise liability and greater certainty for the fuel industry around when excise is due, and collect an additional $5 million per annum in Crown revenue from avoiding future litigation. It also clarifies when excisable goods are subjected to the control of customs. It\u2019s also about modern and flexible powers to protect New Zealand. This bill confirms the majority of customs\u2019 existing powers, while recognising privacy concerns. It also provides greater scope and flexibility to address smuggling and national security concerns. The bill also introduces a modern sanction framework. A range of penalties have been increased and made consistent across the bill and other legislation to ensure ongoing compliance. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000760\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EIn terms of opening statements, I think it\u2019s important that the members are also made aware that the Privacy Commissioner and the Law Society made submissions on many of the substantive policy changes in this bill, and these submissions have informed the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee\u2019s report back to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000761\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EI now turn members\u2019 attention to theme one and its title of information disclosure. Focusing on this particular part of the bill, just for the benefit of members, I inform them that the bill provides a coherent legislative framework for managing information while protecting privacy. This part of the bill continues the information-matching arrangements contained in the current Act, which are working well. Permitted information matches relate to matters such as student loans, fines enforcement, and child support. Any information disclosure agreement made by customs under the new provisions must be consulted with the Privacy Commissioner prior to it being approved by the relevant Ministers within domestic Government, or the chief executive for international and private sector agreements. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000762\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003ESensitive personal information, such as the passenger name record data and biometric information, can be disclosed only under restricted circumstances. To increase accountability and transparency about how customs must manage its information, the bill provides for agreements with other Government agencies, including for direct access to customs information, to be made at the ministerial level for domestic arrangements. The Privacy Commissioner will have active oversight. Greater information disclosure by customs to other Government agencies will contribute to national security, law enforcement, and public health and safety. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000763\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThe bill retains the ability from the current Act for customs to disclose information to overseas authorities under a formal written agreement. Checks and balances are written into the agreement. The bill also retains the ability from the current Act for customs to disclose information to an overseas authority outside of a formal written agreement. This ability is restricted to a limited range of functions of the overseas authority and in the type of information that can be disclosed. This form of information disclosure is necessary to meet operational considerations when the trade flows between New Zealand and the other country are not sufficient to warrant a formal written agreement. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000764\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThe select committee considered in their view how best to balance the need for transparency in the collection, use, and disclosure of information with parliamentary oversight. I want to acknowledge the work of the select committee and, of course, the officials who have brought this bill to this stage. I look forward to the contributions from the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022 data-id=\u0022624e624d13ca4dcaac18fd556541d53b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000765\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022624e624d13ca4dcaac18fd556541d53b\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister of Immigration):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Chairperson Tolley. It\u2019s a pleasure to be able to participate in the debate on the information disclosure aspects of this Customs and Excise Bill. I intend to speak with some particularity to clause 293, but before I do that I would like to make some general statements about the information disclosure aspects of this bill. Obviously, our Customs Service has the power to collect an enormous quantity of information and data, not just about goods and items that cross our border but about people as they cross our border. It is a rich source of information, and it is appropriate that the Government judiciously make that information available for other purposes. But it is certainly incredibly important that \u201Cjudicious\u201D is the keyword here. We must take extreme care and caution with the information that is gathered about people, how that information is shared with other Government agencies and with the private sector, and how that information is used. I believe that these aspects of this bill warrant significant scrutiny by Parliament. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000766\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003EIt may appear to some members that this is reasonably non-controversial. There\u2019s certainly agreement across the House about these aspects, but I think it is our duty as representatives of the New Zealand public to ensure that we scrutinise this bill closely, given the nature of the powers that this legislation provides to not just the Customs Service but other Government agencies and our ability to use the information that we collect about people. For instance, information that is collected by the Customs Service can be used in the administration of the Student Loan Scheme Act\u2014you know, personal information about people to be able to enforce aspects of that legislation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000767\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225b6b1d74-9e5e-42ba-a922-85b0ea7f5ab6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002221cd55965f0b4575803d068b0b62a585\u0022\u003ESimon O\u2019Connor\u003C/span\u003E: You\u2019re doing well, mate\u2014keep going.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000768\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225e6b7aaa-8157-4d5e-9940-1bdbcd61ae95\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022649f8e3b66004303af16e4f9f7954f39\u0022\u003EAlastair Scott\u003C/span\u003E: Only two minutes and 26 seconds to go.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000769\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ce574a47451f41ee8d2af3321aea74e1\u0022\u003EHon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY\u003C/span\u003E: There\u2019s considerably more than two minutes to go, I can assure you gentlemen. It also can be used in the recovery of financial support under the Child Support Act. It can be used in verifying people\u2019s benefit entitlements. So it is very personal and private information\u2014absolutely appropriate uses, but it\u2019s very important that we as a Parliament are satisfied that this legislation is carefully crafted and able to ensure that we protect people\u2019s privacy and we use that information appropriately. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000770\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003EAs I said, I wish to speak particularly to clause 293, which deals with the direct access to information for purposes other than the specified purposes that other clauses relate to. This allows for Government agencies to share information that supports the detection, investigation, prosecution, and punishment of various offences; the detection and investigation of suspected or actual terrorist acts or the facilitation of terrorist acts; the protection of national security; the processing of international passengers; the protection of border security; the protection of public revenue; and the protection of public health and safety. Obviously, as Minister of Immigration, I have considerable interest in this information-sharing ability. As Minister, I am regularly briefed on action that is taken by our border services to ensure the integrity of our border, to ensure the integrity of our immigration system, and to ensure that people who wish to attempt to enter New Zealand for unscrupulous purposes or who are unable to verify the validity of their intentions for trying to enter New Zealand are able to be, in some cases, turned away or are able to be processed in an appropriate manner. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000771\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003ENow, the ability to do that is, of course, incredibly and heavily reliant on the ability to gather data from various sources about those people\u2014heavily reliant on the ability to collect that information. So the ability to collect and share that information is important, but it is, as I say, vital that we have the right protections in place. I am pleased to see that the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee saw fit to elevate the responsibility for entering into these types of data-sharing agreements from the chief executive level to the ministerial level. We, as Ministers, as elected members of Parliament, have that accountability to the people of New Zealand in a much greater way than even a chief executive, as senior they are, as great the level of accountability that they have, the levels of responsibility\u2014[Interruption] Two members are heading off to a leadership meeting, I think. It is important that it\u2019s actually the elected officials, the elected representatives, who are able to enter into this type of arrangement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s also important that the Privacy Commissioner must be consulted\u2014so it\u2019s not an option for Ministers entering into these agreements. The Privacy Commissioner must be consulted, and Ministers must have regard to any comments received from the Privacy Commissioner on the proposed agreement. Again, I think, in the 21st century, when people\u2019s data is one of the most sought-after commodities available in the 21st century, it\u2019s incredibly important that we make sure that those safeguards are included in there.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000773\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003ELegislation also prescribes what these written agreements between Ministers must include, such as which databases may be accessed, the particular types or class of information that may be accessed, and, importantly, the purpose for which that information can be accessed. We have seen this in the past\u2014previous Governments that have been a little loose with the purpose for which they were using information. Perhaps, frankly, they have misused and abused the access to information that we have as a Parliament and as a Government, and it is important that the exact purpose for which information can be shared, for which that information can be accessed, is set out in those agreements and that we don\u2019t have creep beyond what those specified purposes are.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000774\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003EIf, once an agreed purpose is set in place, it is determined that maybe it would be useful for the Government\u2014that there is a genuine and useful reason for going beyond the purposes that are agreed in those initial agreements between Ministers\u2014then Ministers need to come back to the table, set out that new purpose, and work with the Privacy Commissioner to make sure that that is a reasonable and sensible purpose, because we cannot allow information to be used incorrectly or inappropriately by people who are in a position of significant power.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000775\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003EThose agreements must also set out how the information is to be accessed, the designations of the people within the Government agency who will be able to access those databases, the way the records are to be kept, safeguards that are to be applied, etc. So this is all about making sure that we have the appropriate level of oversight, the appropriate safeguards in place to ensure that where this information is being shared, it is for the specific purposes laid out in the Act. The Act is actually quite precise in terms of the exact reasons that this information can be shared. I think that is incredibly important, and I think that the improvements that have been made, the changes that have been made by the select committee, do improve the bill and they do go a long way to protecting the privacy of individuals.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000776\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022490ccdbf-7c22-4e12-98f2-f3aa08f8e676\u0022\u003ESo with those comments on this specific part of the aspects of the bill that deal with information disclosure, I\u2019m happy to conclude my contribution there, but I suspect that other members have considerably more to say on this part of the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022 data-id=\u0022cd51ad496b7040a5a9538156eb3eee05\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000777\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cd51ad496b7040a5a9538156eb3eee05\u0022\u003ELOUISA WALL (Labour\u2014Manurewa):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Madam Chairperson Tolley. It\u2019s a pleasure to speak on the Customs and Excise Bill in the committee stage as a member of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee. I want to commend the debate and the themed debate that we will be having, and what it does provide is a real scrutiny of the select committee\u2019s work. Actually, in this particular area\u2014in the information disclosure area\u2014I want to commend the select committee. They made numerous amendments, particularly to clause 288\u2014which I will speak to\u2014clauses 293 and 294, and I\u2019ve got some special comments for clause 297. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000778\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003ESo if we start at clause 288, this provides customs and the Ministry of Justice to share information to enable recovery of fines. The amendment that I specifically want to focus on is actually an increase in the threshold in the definition of what a \u201Cserious default\u201D means. Under the previous legislation, it was people who owed at least $1,000 who could be stopped. Obviously, that was our opportunity to recover the debt that these people had to society, and I know the Minister has talked about that in her opening address. But what we did do, I believe, is futureproof that particular clause in allowing, by Order in Council, that amount to elevate up to $5,000 over a period of time. Now, I think that is a really good attempt at making sure that this piece of legislation is fit for purpose going into the future, but I would appreciate from the Minister some clarification about that figure. How it did you come to that? Was that something that the officials with the select committee were able to set? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000779\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003ERegarding clauses 293, 294, and 297, again, I think the select committee did a fantastic job in focusing on the issue of privacy. I found a little quote just before about where privacy came from, and I\u2019ve found a paper from the European Digital Rights commission on the evolution of the concept of privacy. Actually, privacy\u2014as they\u2019ve noted\u2014started, essentially, in 1776 when John Adams, who was the second President of the USA, made a comment about the British, who at that time seemed to think that they had a right to search houses without justification. So the whole concept of unjustified violation of privacy is in a state of evolution, and what I\u2019ve enjoyed reading in the select committee report has been the thinking around those particular amendments to those particular clauses. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000780\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003EAs a principle, what those clauses have said is that\u2014and I just want to focus on some principles of privacy that our Privacy Commissioner has published on their website. Private information\u2014the whole issue of privacy\u2014is actually about how we collect private information and how we use private or personal information. There are 12 principles. We should think about the purpose of the private information or personal information we are collecting, the source of that personal information, the collection of that information from the subjects themselves\u2014that is, do people know and are they aware that the information that they are contributing, even if it is ticking a box, is actually being collected? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000781\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003ESo it then becomes about the manner of the collection, the storage and security of personal information, who has access to that personal information, is it readily retrievable, is there an opportunity to correct personal information\u2014so, if you find that your personal information has been stored and you find out that there\u2019s a problem with it, you are entitled to confirm that that information is correct but also to change it if it isn\u2019t. So there is an issue about the accuracy of the private information, and the people who collect it should also check it and verify that that private or personal information is, in fact, correct. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000782\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003EIt should not be kept longer than is necessary, and, obviously, there are limits on the use of private information. It must not be used for any other purpose than that for which it is collected. In fact, it\u2019s within these clauses that we see the extension of the use of that personal information from one ministry\u2014that is, from the Customs Service\u2014to other ministries such as the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Social Development, the police and a variety of other agencies. The intersection of the use of that information then becomes about issues such as police vetting and security issues, and do they also relate to issues about some of the substances or commodities that people are wanting to bring into the country? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000783\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003ESo there obviously are limits, and should be limits, on the disclosure of that personal information. Also, we should make sure that there are never unique identifiers in the system, so that people\u2019s personal information isn\u2019t coded in other ways so that we actually know who they are and all their details. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000784\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003EThe reason that I highlight that particular framework around privacy is because everything that the committee added to clauses 293, 294, and 297 has been about protecting that personal information and the integrity of its use. So requiring Ministers, for example, to have information-sharing agreements elevates it to a level that is beyond a chief executive to chief executive relationship. It then says that the safeguards attached to the sharing of that information must be complied with. So, for example, in new clause 293(3), there are now some criteria that Ministers will have to sign off before those agreements can actually be entered into, such as \u201C(i) direct access to the information is reasonable and practical \u2026 (ii) there are adequate safeguards [including audit requirements] to protect the privacy of individuals, \u2026 (iii) the agreement will include appropriate procedures for direct access to and use, disclosure, and retention of the information;\u201D. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000785\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003ESo it\u2019d be really good to hear from the Minister specifically about clause 297(5B), where we are requiring a review of any privacy agreements, and the Privacy Commissioner has an opportunity to \u201Chave an active oversight of information disclosure arrangements.\u201D This is, specifically, arrangements with overseas authorities, and the reason I want the Minister to comment about it is because having a review clause like that actually goes back to my point about the paper that I highlighted about the evolution of\u2014sorry, where is it; I\u2019ve lost my reference\u2014this whole issue of privacy. It\u2019s such a changing world, and privacy is a concept that will change, based on data and information and technology. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000786\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003EOne of the issues that has been highlighted recently, for example, is the whole Edward Snowden revelations and the National Security Agency in the United States and their ability to collect data from multiple sources. So in this technology space, things are happening at such a pace that I know the Privacy Commissioner\u2014given it is their primary function\u2014will be able to provide that oversight, which means that we can update this particular clause, if needed, or those particular arrangements. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000787\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003EInformation and the access to information and who and how information is collected is actually dynamic. It is part of the dynamic society that we live in today because it\u2019s a global society. It\u2019s one where we can purchase things online, and someone may be able to monitor our IP connections and what we like and don\u2019t like. I mean, that certainly happens with our Countdown cards. They know what specials to send you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000788\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022b4a597dd-ed8b-42b8-975b-40c6e0cdaee1\u0022\u003EI just, again\u2014in concluding\u2014do want to highlight the work of the select committee, and I actually congratulate them because these amendments we should be proud of as a Parliament. Kia ora. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022 data-id=\u0022d244b8a629f64d9cad148d30d14c47ff\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000789\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d244b8a629f64d9cad148d30d14c47ff\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour\u2014Christchurch Central):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Chairperson Tolley. It\u2019s with great pleasure I stand to support this very substantial bill. I must say, it\u2019s a much-needed bill, because the law prior to this was very confusing and had layer upon layer of reforms. So this consolidation of all of those reforms, and a re-expression, is indeed welcome.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000790\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EIt does give significant powers to the Customs Service, and for good reason. On the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, we\u2019ve had occasion to look at what customs does, and they face an extremely onerous challenge of protecting our borders. It is, I think we must recognise, a battle that is fought not necessarily simply with boats and with border controls and the like but also with data. So I can see the enhanced powers in respect of the searching of electronic devices\u2014and it is worth querying the Minister on some of those powers. They are powers that are indeed much needed, because, obviously, in battling against the evils that sometimes cross our border, whether they be drugs, other illicit goods, or even simply people avoiding duties, we do need that information and that data.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000791\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003ESo clause 207 does allow the searching of electronic devices. However, it\u2019s all very nice to say that customs has the right to search an electronic device, but as we all know with our devices, they are often locked down, and asking nicely sometimes simply won\u2019t do it. So my question, really, is whether the powers go far enough, because whilst we need to be very cautious in interrogating someone\u2019s personal device\u2014whether it be their laptop or their mobile phone\u2014when we must, we must do it thoroughly and we must do it properly. When a phone is encrypted, as indeed has been discovered in a recent case in the United States, it\u2019s more or less impossible to interrogate that data without destroying it. So my question, really, is this: do we need to be able to compel not only the holder of that device but also the manufacturer of that device to provide access to that information? If someone won\u2019t give you their password, someone won\u2019t give you their encryption key, or whatever it might be, the question then is: where do we go now? We have, essentially, a stand-off, and, as sure as night follows day, some people in those situations simply will not be prepared to hand over\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000792\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227cdd89f15cd649e6bad5b2f99c16b51b\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley)\u003C/span\u003E: I don\u2019t like to interrupt the member, but I think you\u2019re on the wrong part. We\u2019re actually on information disclosure rather than powers and obligations. [Interruption] I know it\u2019s a\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000793\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224c3e0a50452f457799ca350bad4e22c2\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Chair, there\u2019s a lot of overlap there, because the real question there\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000794\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222e58c278b21e43ccbe08702c73dd1bc1\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley)\u003C/span\u003E: Are you arguing with me? We are in a themed debate, so bring your discussion to the theme of information disclosure. I\u2019m sure you can do it, Dr Webb.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000795\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227f8c102d21804ddb9d284e893bde2478\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, absolutely, Madam Chair. Thank you for the vote of confidence. The information on that device is critical and the question is about the protection of that private information. I didn\u2019t want to overlap with the previous speaker too much, but that really is the question, about protecting that information and ensuring that information that is interrogated, the private information, the non-relevant information, is protected and it is not disclosed to the wrong person\u2014that it\u2019s not interrogated and, in fact, that it\u2019s put entirely to one side. As the previous speaker noted, privacy is a critical concern, given the extensive powers that exist here.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000796\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003ESo, really, in respect of this bill, yes, it\u2019s an absolutely necessary consolidation. But there are some residual questions there about the balance to be struck between the powers we\u2019re giving customs and their need to get that information and the privacy rights of the owners of that information\u2014the individuals concerned. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022 data-id=\u0022e996beaa22ae4ba89f8df1ca35649053\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000797\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e996beaa22ae4ba89f8df1ca35649053\u0022\u003EHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Minister of Customs):\u003C/span\u003E Madam Chairperson Tolley, thank you very much. I just want to rise and answer a couple of questions\u2014very good questions\u2014that have come from the right side of me. Of course, there is always an open invitation to the left side to ask some questions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000798\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EIn terms of the member Louisa Wall, I just want to pick up the question she asked in relation to clause 288, around the $5,000 upper limit threshold. Her question, I understand, was the rationale behind that $5,000. Suffice to say that\u2014well, what I\u2019m getting advised is\u2014the $5,000 is regarded as a reasonable upper limit to the $3,000, and it\u2019s amended so that it\u2019s no longer open-ended. So there was, obviously, an attempt to kind of bring it in within a reasonable amount so it wasn\u2019t open-ended. So, in terms of that\u2014just, initially, answering your question\u2014I also want to say that the Regulations Review Committee raised concerns about the fact that it was open-ended; hence the reason why we\u2019ve got that $5,000 limit. The Regulations Review Committee identified it, and I think that\u2019s where we\u2019ve got to the $5,000. So that\u2019s just in response to that particular question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000799\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EIn terms of your further question, to the member Louisa Wall, around clause 297, particularly around the Privacy Commissioner\u2014her question around the guarantee of protection of privacy information-sharing between agencies\u2014under clause 297, we\u2019re talking about allowing the Privacy Commissioner to require chief executives to periodically review an agreement. So, just for the member, the Privacy Commissioner may request a review of an information disclosure agreement on any grounds he or she sees fit\u2014for example, changes in data practices, non-technology. A review would look at the agreement\u2019s reasonableness against the changed circumstances\u2014so just another layer of certainty for the very important question that the member raised around guarantees of the privacy of that information. So just a short call to answer and respond to the member\u2019s questions in the committee.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022 data-id=\u0022b06e1efb94544ad09eaae50d328bc7f1\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000800\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b06e1efb94544ad09eaae50d328bc7f1\u0022\u003EVIRGINIA ANDERSEN (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you. Just to continue, in terms of clarifying information disclosure, there are two main points that I\u2019d like to cover in the time I have to speak tonight, the first being general comments around information disclosure, and the second being more specific discussions around direct access to information, particularly around clause 293. The main reason that we\u2019ve reviewed the Customs and Excise Act 1996 is that the world has changed and we have come to learn the fact that for New Zealand, as an island nation, our border is special, very special, not just in terms of our identity as a nation but also in terms of our economic state at the moment, and it\u2019s important to protect that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000801\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s important to protect it because customs is the only agency that collects information about all goods and people that come in and out of New Zealand, and that\u2019s an important function. It\u2019s not important just because of those goods and those people. We\u2019re in an age where it\u2019s the information surrounding those entities that has become even more interesting over the time that we try to strike a balance between making sure we have transparency in the collection of that information and its use and dissemination but also in terms of protecting that border\u2014making sure that we retain the importance of being an island nation with a border. That\u2019s why this piece of legislation is so important. It enables us to move, as a country, with the times and to make the most of who we are as a country, make the most of the fact that we are an island nation. That\u2019s why it\u2019s really important to keep us moving with those times. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000802\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003EOne of the most important things that this piece of legislation does is clarify the direct access to information for certain purposes. In the past what we\u2019ve seen is\u2014well, for want of a better term\u2014a bit of a free-for-all in some ways. We haven\u2019t had a clear framework, in terms of transparency, as to where we are accessing information. There\u2019s been no clear measuring up of who\u2019s getting it and where, so it\u2019s good to see that now if we\u2019re wanting to access thing like the passenger name record, which is the list of people coming into New Zealand\u2014if there are agencies that need to access that information directly, we need to know why and we need to make sure that our Ministers are aware of the reasons why. It\u2019s really encouraging to see that before entering into any written agreement about information sharing, those Ministers must be satisfied on three clear factors, and I\u2019m going to iterate those now because I think it\u2019s important that we know what those factors are that Ministers must be conscious of before written agreements are entered into to enable that direct access of information into customs information gathered at our borders.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000803\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003EThe first is that the \u201Cdirect access to that information is reasonable and practical\u201D. The second one is that \u201Cthere are adequate safeguards, including audit requirements, to protect the privacy of individuals\u201D\u2014and how important that is. Thirdly, is that \u201Cthe agreement includes appropriate procedures for direct access to, and the use, disclosure, and retention, of the information.\u201D Can I just say that at a time when we\u2019re recording biometric information\u2014that\u2019s information about people\u2019s identities that are recorded; their faces, their irises, their fingerprints\u2014it\u2019s important to know how long that information is being retained. So while we move with the times, while we need that more accurate data, we also need to conscious of how we are retaining that information to make sure that that privacy is adequately protected.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000804\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c21f4beb-20c4-4b12-bc6f-fdc931e2dc96\u0022\u003EOne of the main objectives behind this bill\u2014and they are listed out in the introduction at the very start\u2014is the \u201Cfacilitating [of] greater information-sharing between Customs and other agencies.\u201D, and that is so important. We do need to be a joined-up Government, we do need to be making sure that we understand who is coming into New Zealand and who is leaving, and that is why we need to make sure that\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u002224f76a26537642ca986e130c9d2bba1c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000805\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002224f76a26537642ca986e130c9d2bba1c\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley)\u003C/span\u003E: Sorry, the member\u2019s time is up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000806\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022dac4b5b8e53b4390822f5ac70bfd0daa\u0022\u003EPowers and Obligations\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022 data-id=\u0022f56b9f959dec458884148a521c449b42\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000807\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f56b9f959dec458884148a521c449b42\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley)\u003C/span\u003E: It is my view that it is now reasonable to move on to the next theme, which is the debate on powers and obligations, comprising Part 3, Subparts 1, 2, 4, and 8, and schedule 5; Part 4; Part 5, Subparts 4, 7, and 10, and schedule 8; and Part 6, Subpart 1.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022 data-id=\u0022fcb1037099144181a01cf58824e46ac2\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000808\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022fcb1037099144181a01cf58824e46ac2\u0022\u003EHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Minister of Customs):\u003C/span\u003E Just by way of introduction to theme two, powers and obligations, the committee may want to know that the bill confirms the majority of customs\u2019 existing powers while recognising privacy concerns. Powers are backed up with modern sanctions. Specific thresholds must be met before customs officers can search an electronic device. So for my learned colleague Dr Duncan Webb, this is the part you might want to take a call on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000809\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThe bill further goes on to clarify the traveller\u2019s obligation to provide access to an electronic device for such searches. Privileged information will be protected in full searches of electronic devices. Controlled deliveries are highly effective in breaking smuggling networks and will be possible across a wider range of goods such as objectionable publications. There will be a streamlined process for imposing controls on imported and exported goods. Also, the commercial transportation operators may be required to provide the passenger name record information\u2014or PNR\u2014they generate, such as ticketing data and payment information. Limits are prescribed on when the power can be exercised relative to arrival or departure times. PNR is used in the advance risk assessment of passengers. The chief executive must have regard to the recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization in respect of PNR data.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000810\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThe bill restricts the Customs Service to collecting, using, and disclosing passengers\u2019 biometric information in order to verify passengers\u2019 identity and to establish whether a passenger is subject to travel restrictions imposed by the courts or the Parole Board.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000811\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EThe bill allows customs to set performance standards for users of the Joint Border Management System, and, as a last resort, to suspend or revoke a user\u2019s registration. The bill further introduces a modern, cost-effective infringement notice scheme for minor offending. Regulations will set the infringement offences and fees. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000812\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003EFinally, forfeiture and seizure provisions have been modernised and minor improvements made. But, in substance, the provisions are unchanged from the existing Act. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000813\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022073496a0-73b7-426f-97f8-916bd542b0fa\u0022\u003ECan I just make one small comment before I resume my seat. It is an acknowledgment that in this particular part, at the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, Te R\u016Bnanga o Ng\u0101i Tahu submitted that this clause should allow the Minister of Customs to oppose a prohibition with reference to an established iwi interest rather than simply the public interest. I just want to acknowledge the select committee, which accepted that the public interest test is broad enough to consider an established iwi interest. It is in the public interest to consider that the interests of iwi are taken into account. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022 data-id=\u002251b652e9fa064ecab2b41d64fca49593\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000814\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002251b652e9fa064ecab2b41d64fca49593\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour\u2014Christchurch Central):\u003C/span\u003E I have so much more to say. I thought I\u2019d stick to the appropriate theme this time, but I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll be told if I don\u2019t. And I won\u2019t repeat myself\u2014I\u2019m sure the Minister will remember my earlier comments.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000815\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EObviously, the powers within the bill are very significant, and one of the really significant and very far-reaching powers I think we need to think very carefully about is the power of seizure. One of the difficulties with seizure is that it can appear quite disproportionate, in the sense that the use, for example, of a craft to smuggle goods can lead to the seizure of that craft and not only the goods, which are forfeit almost without saying. But the fact that assets used for illicit purposes may themselves be subject to seizure suggests that we need to be cautious about that. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000816\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EThere are two clauses of the bill that perhaps push out a bit further these powers, and they are new to the legislation. One is the ability to condemn goods\u2014that is to say, they become property of the Crown if conditions for their release are not met\u2014which is in new clause 166A, proposed through Supplementary Order Paper 12. We can understand why that might happen, particularly if there has been some flagrant disregard, for example, for the placement of a bond or whatever that might be. But in many of these situations, particularly, you\u2019ve got to remember that there may not have been a trial and there may not have been a conviction. In these situations, we\u2019ve got to be very cautious indeed in seizing these goods first. So, whilst the power may exist, I wonder whether there ought not be some very careful discretion not to exercise it in all circumstances. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000817\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EThe other interesting move in this piece of legislation is apparent in a number of places, including clause 169, which is the extension of customs\u2019 powers to the contiguous zone\u2014that is to say, beyond the usual jurisdictional limits of New Zealand, which are the immediate waters outside of New Zealand, but far out beyond that. Now that is consistent with international covenants on the law of the sea, but in terms of extending domestic powers, because customs\u2019 powers are fundamentally domestic powers, well beyond our national borders\u2014that is something that I would invite the Minister to give some consideration to, and perhaps justification for. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000818\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EWhilst these significant powers are\u2014and that includes power to seize. The power, particularly, to seize illicit imports or exports extends beyond our immediate zone\u2014our legal jurisdiction\u2014out into the contiguous zone, and that is a significant geographical extension of the power of customs. So I\u2019d invite the Minister to just explain how that is perhaps both consistent with good governance and with our international obligations. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000819\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EHaving said that, clearly we need to equip our customs with all those necessary powers and, by and large, the powers are entirely justifiable in the hands of an agency that is subject to law and subject to review. And on that basis, I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000820\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f1f585f6eea746faa352cfb083399c32\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley)\u003C/span\u003E: I call, Raymond Huo. My apologies, Raymond Huo.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022 data-id=\u0022a8ad00c5db4547f08083260043ad4786\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000821\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002248d9e7fe-3603-456c-bd32-c8d6177395fb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a8ad00c5db4547f08083260043ad4786\u0022\u003ERAYMOND HUO (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you very much, Madam Chairperson Tolley. It\u2019s a great pleasure\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000822\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002294b729c80ba547b68d46d5324a07aac1\u0022\u003ECHAIRPERSON (Hon Anne Tolley)\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m going to apologise again to the member because the time has come for me to report progress on these bills before the committee tonight.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000823\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EProgress to be reported.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000824\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EHouse resumed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000825\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EThe Chairperson reported the Food Safety Law Reform Bill with amendment, and progress on the Customs and Excise Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000826\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EReport adopted.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000827\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 9.56 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id201802148cab2b4d9a41457aab1aafab2424deea000828\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022977cccaf-581d-4f48-924e-32bf6c54a93d\u0022\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"