"\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=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000001\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022ea4cfeae727049b8a88e7b2721f5f884\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2021\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000003\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00222a41e99294c148dc8d4b4ec4b5ce6796\u0022\u003ETHURSDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2021\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000002\u0022\u003EThe Speaker took the Chair at 2 p.m.\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000004\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00221652a986d7ee49729afe357e4826835a\u0022\u003EKarakia/Prayers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000006\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00225af2ea42a09749688f5e605b823b7571\u0022\u003EKarakia/Prayers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u0022593889ec2e354845ba9d25cf5901792a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000005\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022593889ec2e354845ba9d25cf5901792a\u0022\u003EADRIAN RURAWHE (Deputy Speaker):\u003C/span\u003E Kia tau an\u014D te rangim\u0101rie ki a t\u0101tou. Kia inoi t\u0101tou. E te Atua kaha rawa, ka tuku whakamoemiti atu m\u0101tou, m\u014D ng\u0101 karakia kua waihotia mai ki runga i a m\u0101tou. Ka waiho i \u014D m\u0101tou p\u0101nga whaiaro katoa ki te taha. Ka mihi m\u0101tou ki te Ku\u012Bni, me te inoi atu m\u014D te \u0101rahitanga i roto i \u014D m\u0101tou whakaaroarohanga, kia m\u014Dhio ai, kia whakaiti ai t\u0101 m\u0101tou whakahaere i ng\u0101 take o te Whare nei, m\u014D te oranga, te maung\u0101rongo, me te aroha o Aotearoa. Amene.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000007\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E[Let peace be upon us. Let us pray. Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests, we acknowledge the Queen, and pray for guidance in our deliberations, that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom and humility, for the welfare, peace, and compassion of New Zealand. Amen.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000008\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022f346825c1e9248a0887a8f52dee7f1b2\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000010\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002202730c5169a34236b82ed71d85ca9d9f\u0022\u003EBusiness Statement\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u0022f25ec2e39d8346359ac6cd1c367cc257\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000009\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f25ec2e39d8346359ac6cd1c367cc257\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Leader of the House):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. Next week, the House will consider the first readings of the Data and Statistics Bill, the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill, the Remuneration Authority Legislation Bill, the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, and the Retail Payment System Bill; and further stages of the COVID-19 Response (Management Measures) Legislation Bill; the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification (Urgent Interim Classification of Publications and Prevention of Online Harm) Amendment Bill; the Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Bill; and the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Amendment Bill. Wednesday\u2019s sitting will be extended into Thursday morning.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000011\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b8e76f380f1f4a999f8b67487394a311\u0022\u003EPetitions, Papers, Select Committee Reports, and Introduction of Bills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000013\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00229d0dd7ab8ae94c7791cffb5ea95f53e6\u0022\u003EPetitions, Papers, Select Committee Reports, and Introduction of Bills\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u00229f2ae884c739464f945fdd3a4f98552b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000012\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229f2ae884c739464f945fdd3a4f98552b\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Petitions have been delivered to the Clerk for presentation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022\u0022 data-id=\u00224475268c3c884e5c917d078c44b7fd3f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000014\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224475268c3c884e5c917d078c44b7fd3f\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000015\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EPetition of Kylie Whellan requesting that the House established a select committee that considers business related to all New Zealand\u2019s children\u2019s rights, care, and wellbeing\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000016\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Epetition of Julie Zhang requesting that the House urge the Government to resume the parent resident visa or provide other visa options for parents of New Zealand citizens and residents who are already in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u00228f25f248db8746fba18aa1b45095ff31\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000017\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228f25f248db8746fba18aa1b45095ff31\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Those petitions stand referred to the Petitions Committee. Ministers have delivered papers.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022\u0022 data-id=\u0022e5f1347289494bdbb5b4386eee4afcbb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000018\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022e5f1347289494bdbb5b4386eee4afcbb\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000019\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EAnnual reports for 2021 of the:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EParliamentary Counsel Office\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Customs Service incorporating the Border Executive Board\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Parole Board\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EAccident Compensation Corporation\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EDepartment of Corrections\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EPublic Service Commission\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EDepartment of Internal Affairs\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EMinistry for Culture and Heritage\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EK\u0101inga Ora\u2014Homes and Communities\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003ESerious Fraud Office\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EAgResearch\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EEnvironmental Science and Research Ltd\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EGNS Science\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EPlant and Food Research\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EOranga Tamariki\u2014Ministry for Children\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000020\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EAnnual reports for 2020/21 of the:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EDepartment of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003ENational Emergency Management Agency incorporating the Minister\u2019s reports on non-departmental appropriations\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000021\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EMinister\u2019s reports on non-departmental appropriations for:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EVote Arts, Culture, and Heritage\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EVote Business, Science, and Innovation, research, science and innovation portfolio\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EStatements of intent for 2021\u201325 for the:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Customs Service, and the\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EAccident Compensation Corporation\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000023\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Eand strategic intentions 2021\u201325 for the:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EMinistry of Foreign Affairs and Trade\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EDepartment of Internal Affairs\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EMinistry for Culture and Heritage\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EOranga Tamariki\u2014Ministry for Children\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EAccident Compensation Corporation service agreement, and\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003EOffice of the Judicial Conduct Commissioner corrections to the annual report 2020/21.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022706520aa936742a692aa13bb88c38200\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000024\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022706520aa936742a692aa13bb88c38200\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I present the report of the Controller and Auditor-General entitled Building a stronger public accountability system for New Zealanders. Those papers are published under the authority of the House. Select committee reports have been delivered for presentation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022\u0022 data-id=\u00227824a6bb59564a9e8b4790f9ac9b67be\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000025\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227824a6bb59564a9e8b4790f9ac9b67be\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000026\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EReport of the Regulations Review Committee on the:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 Public Health Response (Isolation and Quarantine) Amendment Order (No 2) 2021\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) Order (No 12) 2021\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) Order (No 12) Amendment Order 2021\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBItemSL1\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level Requirements) Order (No 12) Amendment Order (No 2) 2021\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000027\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003Ereport of the Social Services and Community Committee on the report of the Controller and Auditor-General, Using information to improve public housing services, Progress in responding to Auditor-General\u2019s recommendations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022372edb68a45e454e88aa01041af43631\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000028\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022372edb68a45e454e88aa01041af43631\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The COVID orders and report are set down for consideration. The Clerk has been informed of the introduction of bills.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022\u0022 data-id=\u00227ff32f9f2fe54ae687b43c86c229756d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000029\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227ff32f9f2fe54ae687b43c86c229756d\u0022\u003ECLERK\u003C/span\u003E:\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000030\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EEducation and Training (Freedom of Expression) Amendment Bill, introduction.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000031\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EEmployment Relations (Extended Time for Personal Grievance for Sexual Harassment) Amendment Bill, introduction\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000032\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EFinancial Professional Services Trading Advice Transparency Bill, introduction\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000033\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003ESale and Supply of Alcohol (Exemption for Race Meetings) Amendment Bill, introduction\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000034\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003EChild Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) (Overseas Travel Reporting) Amendment Bill, introduction.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u00225009c88f1dff426ba8c2e80f652763ab\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000035\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225009c88f1dff426ba8c2e80f652763ab\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Those bills are set down for first reading.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000036\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00229592ce6341464a0085bb7b0e624d73bc\u0022\u003EOral Questions\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000037\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d88d634109a041f9a95ccd6523c24a16\u0022\u003EQuestions to Ministers\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000038\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022dd011ee591a44d8ea4d95cf55f8a6bf7\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 1\u2014Prime Minister\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022 data-id=\u0022cd156baf0e8a4a478d950d44038fdb7b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000039\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E1. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022cd156baf0e8a4a478d950d44038fdb7b\u0022\u003ERAWIRI WAITITI (Co-Leader\u2014Te Paati M\u0101ori)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: T\u0113n\u0101 koe e te P\u012Bka, otir\u0101 t\u0113n\u0101 t\u0101tou e te Whare. Kei te mihi atu r\u0101 ki te K\u0101wana-Tianara hou, ki a Cindy Kiro, i riro ia i t\u014Dna t\u016Branga i t\u0113nei r\u0101. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000040\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E[Thank you Mr Speaker, and my greetings to all of us in the House. I acknowledge the new Governor-General, Cindy Kiro, who was officially appointed to her role today.]\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000041\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003EDoes she stand by all her Government\u2019s statements and actions? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u0022554547a80976426f8633a6355e787b24\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000042\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022554547a80976426f8633a6355e787b24\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Prime Minister)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes. In particular, I stand behind the steps this Government has taken to support M\u0101ori wh\u0101nau in responding to the impacts of COVID-19. The Government has continually provided support to our M\u0101ori communities, including our funding announcements last month that invested $22 million for Wh\u0101nau Ora commissioning agencies to boost their work on COVID-19; $17 million to help M\u0101ori providers adapt their services to support the COVID-19 response; $14 million to help wh\u0101nau access health services, medications, and hygiene products; $3 million to strengthen the M\u0101ori psychosocial response, ensuring wh\u0101nau have access to mental health and wellbeing services; and $2 million to ensure providers have sufficient money to manage the long tail of the response, sustain their efforts, and prepare for future outbreaks. Having said all of that, we know that there is a lot more work to do, and we are committed to working alongside iwi, wh\u0101nau, and anyone across New Zealand who can support an increase in vaccination rates. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000043\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022394e573e42c648b2993a4bd3af66fe9d\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: Why did she abandon the elimination strategy when, due to the lack of Government investment in power sharing, M\u0101ori vaccination rates are so far behind? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000044\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002228abcfcae1e14c0f824654b98b8689b7\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Well, on behalf of the Prime Minister, I would challenge the premise that sits behind both parts of that question, actually. We are committed to lifting M\u0101ori vaccination rates. Throughout this vaccination programme, we have worked with M\u0101ori providers on the ground to make sure that we get alongside those communities. It has not worked to the extent that everyone would have wanted it to, but it has been a programme of work that the Government has got alongside communities on, and, as I said in my primary answer, we know there\u2019s more to do and we\u2019re doing it. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000045\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e8c39dae84dc4aadbb35bb565dab6eee\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: Does she accept that if she hadn\u2019t consistently ignored the advice of M\u0101ori health experts since the first outbreak last year, the M\u0101ori vaccine rates would now be much higher; if not, why not? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000046\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ce2449cab8184403be3868120a5ce5b6\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! There\u2019s an assertion in the front of that question which makes it out of order.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000047\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225a062946839f46afadc96ed5f24e7f02\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: Why are rural M\u0101ori communities like Ngati Porou having to use crowdfunding to fund-raise for their own mobile vaccination clinics if the vaccine programme and M\u0101ori equity are top Government priorities? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000048\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e1935eb48f9b48e999a6d3490d2cf0b6\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, as she noted, she herself was in Ngati Porou - East Coast territory and was able to be part of mobile clinics working up there in Ruat\u014Dria, also in the Gisborne area, and, I think, at the opening of the Tair\u0101whiti Arts Festival\u2014there was another mobile clinic there. So there are mobile facilities in the Tai R\u0101whiti region. But, again, I don\u2019t disagree with the member: we need to do more, and that is what this Government is committed to doing. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000049\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224d058338d2cd4f40b0ce2770b96027d8\u0022\u003EHon Chris Hipkins\u003C/span\u003E: Does having prominent M\u0101ori political figures actively discouraging people from being vaccinated help or hinder the vaccination effort? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000050\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002225037239d65a459f85fb09c2ae04bd0b\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, we want the support of every community leader across all groups in New Zealand for the vaccination campaign. We do know that there are hesitant people in a number of communities, including the M\u0101ori community, and I want to thank members of this House who have stood up as community leaders. For those who, in the wider community, are not doing that, I ask them to reconsider that approach. We need all hands to the wheel here. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000051\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002213c73d4053c842388cd300916911d24d\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000052\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cda6ac4175764de19447fcb507cfeeb9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: A point of order related to this latest question? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000053\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022257199d19d794e5e9178f4d66aa83da4\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: Well, it sounded like an assertion that there are M\u0101ori political people out there who are discouraging the vaccination. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000054\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221a7077747f5c4f1a9f4e58deec3fe394\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, there are some things which are assertions and there are some things which are matters of fact. My old propping mate Pem Bird, who I played quite a bit of rugby against in the King Country some time ago, is properly described as a leading political figure, and I think, in fact, the member himself will know his history in that way. So it\u2019s just a matter of record. A further supplementary question\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000055\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c1334ae0738a4e3cb1f196e51e56fb8e\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000056\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221db38fb0f1cd4ba7a41b3133a1a970db\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: No, a further supplementary\u2014we\u2019ve dealt with that. A further supplementary question? \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fd4aa1c3ef9a48de9e6885421a529bdb\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: Another point of order, Mr Speaker. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000058\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ccc4bdd483714fdcbe9dc3f356e03d08\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I am warning the member now: if this is not a proper point of order, he will have lost his supplementary questions which he would otherwise have. Is it a supplementary question or a point\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000059\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228fe6def3dea94284939411b9971321a0\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: A supplementary. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000060\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bc4d67772cc54792962fbe6d40c147a1\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Right. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000061\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227629eeee77d647ca840e1c63ab9766e8\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: What specific actions has she taken to ensure M\u0101ori providers have access to data they need to boost M\u0101ori vaccine rates, rather than having to take civil action in court? A matter of fact. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000062\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f5d1dbc5660844a5b69d4246f9ffbb49\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, we work every single day with our team at the Ministry of Health, and through the Associate Minister, Minister Henare, in particular, around M\u0101ori health provision to make sure we\u2019re doing all that we can within the law to make sure that we support\u2014the roll-out of vaccination data is part of that; so are many, many other things. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000063\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b77c6432d350470d832864c1d4fe6228\u0022\u003ERawiri Waititi\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order. I take umbrage to the fact that we\u2019ve mentioned a kaum\u0101tua in this room that has taken a position of a professional physician in that particular community that has created that particular assertion that M\u0101ori are encouraging people not to get vaccinated. I think that\u2019s absolutely wrong.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000064\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e7231df4bf1e43318594c5ce4764f25f\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, the member will disagree with me on that. I rely entirely on the media reports of the former president or former kaum\u0101tua\u2014leader\u2014of his party who has taken a stand indicating that M\u0101ori should not accept the current vaccine. I have heard him and seen reports of him doing that, and so it is, as far as I\u2019m concerned, a matter of fact and not a matter of opinion.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000065\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022433e7df5d0ba4adba2be9acc3bc012a3\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 2\u2014Immigration\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ff1ad5a3-e02a-4ffe-a961-ef69bdaee1c9\u0022 data-id=\u0022eb0373bb314043069804eb01a6ae5b56\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000066\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff1ad5a3-e02a-4ffe-a961-ef69bdaee1c9\u0022\u003E2. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022eb0373bb314043069804eb01a6ae5b56\u0022\u003EDr JAMES McDOWALL (ACT)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by all his policies?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022 data-id=\u00225876bb043eac450d93be430efc9a8958\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000067\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00225876bb043eac450d93be430efc9a8958\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Immigration):\u003C/span\u003E Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mr Speaker. I stand by the Government\u2019s border policies to protect New Zealanders from COVID-19 and position our economy for a strong recovery. This has meant taking some difficult decisions needed to maintain secure border settings, which continue to protect the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. Where it has been safe to do so, we have adopted policies that have taken the pressure off migrants and their employers. I acknowledge some continue to experience difficulties as a result of the global pandemic. However, since closing the border in March 2020, we\u2019ve issued a range of border exceptions. We\u2019ve extended the visas of onshore workers and given them more flexibility in their conditions, and we\u2019ve recently provided an additional streamlined pathway for a one-off residency stream for over 165,000 migrants currently in New Zealand.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000068\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff1ad5a3-e02a-4ffe-a961-ef69bdaee1c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a39db961523b4d0a8ac9c2a0b732ffa5\u0022\u003EDr James McDowall\u003C/span\u003E: Will he consider expanding the criteria of the 2021 Resident Visa to include onshore student visa holders who have previously held eligible work visas but changed to a student visa to simply upskill?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000069\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224beae4ff5b0741a4a11920c1fc3e392f\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: As was mentioned when the announcement for the residency visa was made, it is very broad. We expect 110,000 applicants, meaning 165,000 people currently in New Zealand could be eligible for residency. The criteria are around people who have been settled in New Zealand who have skilled work or have scarce skills in New Zealand, in order to make a commitment to them and to employers who are relying on their skills, especially when the border is closed. The types of people that the member talks about are here as students and have come here to study, and if they find themselves in a position to apply for residency under the normal process, they can take that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000070\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff1ad5a3-e02a-4ffe-a961-ef69bdaee1c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022580470079b5e4660a6a40517c2407301\u0022\u003EDr James McDowall\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Mr Speaker. My question very clearly referred to those who held work visas and were, in fact, here to work and then they decided to subsequently study. The Minister referred to people on temporary visas coming in here to just be students, so he actually didn\u2019t address the question.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000071\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a53e8fbc006b43b89ebf61f38b50314e\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister want to further clarify? I thought he had addressed it, but maybe if he wants to make it a bit clearer.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000072\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002242a88eca4fc946cebecc7791b0d5f6ef\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: Reinforcement: if they are currently on a visa for study, they are currently on a visa for study and therefore ineligible for the one-off residency. I would again reinforce that if they want to apply for residency at some stage once they have finished their studies and have become eligible for the normal residence process, they can do that, because this is a one-off residency process.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000073\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022450450\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226d71c143727b4380899e06cf638bdd10\u0022\u003EDr James McDowall\u003C/span\u003E: Will he consider allowing eligible applicants who are split from their families to apply from December 2021 and, furthermore, to continue to process their Resident Visa applications if they choose to reunite with their families offshore after applying?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000074\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ae9e9c96397a4728949e8108b2227c51\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: We\u2019ve made it very clear that anyone who is eligible who is already in the queue with either an expression of interest (EOI) or an application in who is eligible for the residency visa can apply from 1 December this year. Again, with the border closures as they are, it is very difficult to be able to allow people to come in and out of the country, but as we have said, once people get residency, potentially from the residency visa itself, they are able to bring their families in, because they will also have the ability to get residence.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000075\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff1ad5a3-e02a-4ffe-a961-ef69bdaee1c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022473d5f2b0b1b45c5bf6b5a20193e3872\u0022\u003EDr James McDowall\u003C/span\u003E: Point of order, Mr Speaker. I asked about those who are eligible who can apply, and whether or not he will consider letting them go offshore to reunite with their families. That\u2019s nothing to do with\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000076\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d72755a604424ca18d1bbfdb731fddb9\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, in this particular case, that was addressed. It might have had some filling around it, but it was a \u201Cno\u201D.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000077\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff1ad5a3-e02a-4ffe-a961-ef69bdaee1c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227be72039548d488a9a39276e83d2b34b\u0022\u003EDr James McDowall\u003C/span\u003E: Can he commit to resuming selection of offshore expressions of interest for the Skilled Migrant Category at the same time as onshore selections in July 2022?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000078\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a0505fc3b05b4681852ef351099f82b4\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: We have made a decision to not resume EOIs being drawn until we\u2019ve undertaken a review of the residency settings. That is because the process around the residency visa will be the priority for Immigration New Zealand over the next 12 to 15 months. Depending on how the processing of those goes, we might be able to look at being able to do that sooner, but at this stage that is the plan.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000079\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022a15bbc3560e0465a96527b2c901d07e3\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 3\u2014COVID-19 Response\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c46de55f-b9e4-4c64-9ac6-877bd89c2fc5\u0022 data-id=\u0022b1671d98b2b2475398b03d3e9e3d1568\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000080\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c46de55f-b9e4-4c64-9ac6-877bd89c2fc5\u0022\u003E3. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022b1671d98b2b2475398b03d3e9e3d1568\u0022\u003EDr TRACEY McLELLAN (Labour\u2014Banks Peninsula)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: What recent announcements has he made regarding mandatory vaccination of workforces?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u00221b520131e2754ac6b87538c341175f6a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000081\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00221b520131e2754ac6b87538c341175f6a\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response):\u003C/span\u003E Last week, I announced that the education and the health and disability workforces will be required to be vaccinated to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This follows on from the Government\u2019s earlier decisions for workers in our managed isolation and quarantine facilities, our airports, and our ports to be vaccinated. Our education and health and disability workforces have done an incredible job through a very difficult time\u2014a global pandemic\u2014keeping themselves and other people safe. While most of the people working in those sectors are already fully or partially vaccinated, we can\u2019t leave anything to chance, and that\u2019s why we\u2019ve made the very difficult decision to make vaccinations for people undertaking those roles mandatory. Vaccination remains our strongest and our most effective tool to prevent against infection and disease, and we need as many workers as possible to be vaccinated to allow sectors like these to respond to the pandemic whilst continuing to deliver everyday services with as little disruption as possible.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000082\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c46de55f-b9e4-4c64-9ac6-877bd89c2fc5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002270592d5aa6104c489a2b1add0b874d8c\u0022\u003EDr Tracey McLellan\u003C/span\u003E: What will the changes mean for the health and disability sector?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000083\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002268a63dc7d9c24626bfc11c3163506e54\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021 is currently being updated and it will require anyone conducting high-risk work in the health and disability sector to be fully vaccinated by 1 December 2021. Under these new requirements, GPs, pharmacists, community health nurses, midwives, paramedics, and all healthcare workers in sites where vulnerable patients are treated, including intensive care units, must receive their first dose of the vaccine by 30 October. These requirements also include certain non-regulated healthcare work such as aged residential care, home and community support services, kaupapa M\u0101ori health providers, and non-Government organisations who provide health services.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c46de55f-b9e4-4c64-9ac6-877bd89c2fc5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bdd3830552e44123819ccc5aca95c55b\u0022\u003EDr Tracey McLellan\u003C/span\u003E: What will the changes mean for the education sector?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000085\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022559dff603ad14500b728d444db89063a\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: From 1 January 2022, schools and early learning services and providers will need to maintain a register and ensure that only vaccinated staff and support people, such as volunteers, have contact with children and students. They will need to have their first dose by 15 November. This includes home-based educators and all those support people in our schools and early learning services, such as teacher aides, administration and maintenance staff, and contractors. Secondary schools and kura will also be required to keep a COVID-19 vaccination register for students. Students that don\u2019t produce evidence of vaccination will be considered to be unvaccinated. All school employees in Auckland and other alert level 3 regions will be required to return a negative COVID-19 test before they can return to work on the school site. Those who are not fully vaccinated in the period leading up to 1 January will also be required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. Work is continuing at this point on whether further vaccination requirements will be made for the tertiary education sector\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000086\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022e4cfe12386a9416c8434ee6caa708914\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 4\u2014Prime Minister\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022 data-id=\u00223a748e9a5ce443eb9e5fd9839ce91a44\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000087\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E4. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223a748e9a5ce443eb9e5fd9839ce91a44\u0022\u003EHon JUDITH COLLINS (Leader of the Opposition)\u003C/span\u003E to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government\u2019s statements and actions?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u002213a736f0f02d4f2482b3e500e63be1cb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002213a736f0f02d4f2482b3e500e63be1cb\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Prime Minister)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000089\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228c4fdb8c7ee24b84929eaedf5611850b\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Will she travel to Auckland to announce her enhanced business support package and new COVID protection framework tomorrow?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000090\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f3b78b23dc1e426a838e85f96e0eb285\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, no; that announcement will be made here in Wellington. The member will be well aware that travel for members of Parliament up to Auckland and back down to Wellington has some restrictions around it in light of rulings by the Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000091\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229af02eef9e724231baa1b141eaa3d94d\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: So will she travel to Auckland at all during the current lockdown to speak to businesses struggling after 65 days of lockdown?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000092\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002254b4b693be244081bee66bc872f4d061\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister speaks to people in Auckland on a daily basis. Her Ministers are in constant contact with businesses and business organisations across Auckland.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000093\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b7194f3d0a844526836b38a5ff4347a2\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Helen Clark doesn\u2019t count!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000094\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002227ba630bdba045cf82496effb23dcbb6\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000095\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002266c0719ea6724276bfaf1e90539ea39a\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: If the Director of Public Health can travel to and from Auckland, why can\u2019t the Prime Minister?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000096\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224cf13720e9b84af48386b4a51f501b47\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019ve already answered that question in the answer to the first supplementary question. There are restrictions around being able to be in this House. I\u2019m sure the member would be criticising the Prime Minister for not being in Parliament, in the debating chamber, if she was travelling to Auckland.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000097\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002242847a7fed1b48c69714663667b978f3\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Does she agree with Steve Gillett, owner of The Kingslander pub in the Mt Albert electorate, who said a $100 dine and discover voucher is \u201Ca brilliant idea, a very positive idea\u201D; if so, will her enhanced business support package be adopting this policy to support struggling Mt Albert businesses?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000098\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022df3d3bd268424b0ab9f638a886fb7a3b\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, the Government has contributed, since 17 August, close to $4.5 billion to support businesses, to be able to support them to keep their staff and meet their fixed costs as well. We are always looking at ideas for how we can develop that response.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000099\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c3a4e9c9b22a4f6787173ac36e1e6113\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Does she agree with Auckland Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Michael Barnett in relation to his comments yesterday that National\u2019s Back in Business plan was a better balance of health and economics and addressed some of the failings and weaknesses in the Government\u2019s response?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000100\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228935684f88fc443088bae650569377b7\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, I\u2019ve a lot of respect for Mr Barnett, but I\u2019m not sure whether he would have had time to go through all of the mistakes that were in the plan that National released yesterday.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000101\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d8542feaa0154386950079f4966df666\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Well, does she agree with Viv Beck, Chief Executive of the Heart of the City, that the Government needs to take heed of the National Party\u2019s plan and deliver for business on Friday?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000102\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f69679da25554e5d8bb1827ab8683e84\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, the Government has been consistently working with the business community, not only in Auckland but all around New Zealand, to support people to stay in work. Over the last 20 months, working together with business, we have seen the economy grow better than many other countries around the world; we have seen unemployment go to 4 percent\u2014that\u2019s 4 percent\u2014which is an incredible result; and we\u2019ve managed to keep our levels of debt lower compared to many in the rest of the world. We are working closely with business. That has delivered to New Zealand a strong economy, and we continue to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000103\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221b28fd4ee9c04a96abcbbd77367849c0\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Does she agree with Retail New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Harford, who said yesterday, \u201CIt is really important a date is set for when we start to open up.\u201D; if so, when will she announce a date for opening up?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000104\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022067796156eb344efac057ee63fb3fc70\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, as was covered in the House yesterday, the most important thing in terms of keeping New Zealanders safe and being able to make sure that, as a country, we move forward positively together is getting the maximum number of people vaccinated and making sure that those vaccinations are spread across our communities. Setting a date without being clear about that seems, to me, to be a recipe for disaster.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000105\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e1cad2d6dd7344ceacbd487fcb6b9961\u0022\u003EHon Stuart Nash\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Prime Minister aware that the total of all three rounds for the Resurgence Support Payment in Greater Auckland alone has been around about $582 million to help businesses with fixed costs?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000106\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fcd753b23ad5489692df73ab1274d95e\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, yes, and in fact the proportion of Auckland businesses receiving the Resurgence Support Payment has now grown to around 70 percent of the payments. It is targeting businesses in Auckland who are finding it tough. There is no one in this House who underestimates how difficult it has been for businesses and communities in Auckland. What we do have to do here is stay the course to make sure that New Zealand builds on the gains that we made last year and make sure that we come out the other side of this outbreak strongly. That requires all of us working together, with strong health advice backed up by a good economic support programme.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000107\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022649fd8b538894cd282797ded1caba393\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Why has the Government still not delivered a system verifying vaccine status, which would allow a million fully vaccinated Aucklanders to safely get back to work?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000108\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002223489a8e6f5a4cc8a253186325ba88a4\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Well, on behalf of the Prime Minister, we have a vaccine certificate regime. That is being developed. We have already begun people being able to use and sign up to it, and we will be able to roll that out further in the coming weeks.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000109\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002285ec30d4-6394-433a-a12e-2c4def705dd0\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002258fd487df64542b2a80a72a005e3932a\u0022\u003EHon Judith Collins\u003C/span\u003E: Why, eight months after she told this House, in February this year, it was being worked on, has she still not delivered the system, and why are we still hearing from the Prime Minister that it\u2019s being worked on eight months\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000110\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002259a4bea36fe84cca9a98feeecc3702c3\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000111\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225c875430b5d24531b874baa0a96bdcae\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Prime Minister, there was an excellent presentation given by staff members of the Ministry of Health on exactly how the vaccine certificate programme would work. There are people today who are already signing up for that programme. And there will be more to say about the role of vaccine certificates tomorrow.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000112\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002298633f0250584fcba62500e7d43fa56c\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 5\u2014Trade and Export Growth\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221cd33f16-add4-4363-a2d4-f457841a5c4c\u0022 data-id=\u00223b1e37c7068b46f4ac92957e38287379\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000113\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221cd33f16-add4-4363-a2d4-f457841a5c4c\u0022\u003E5. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223b1e37c7068b46f4ac92957e38287379\u0022\u003EGLEN BENNETT (Labour\u2014New Plymouth)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Trade and Export Growth: What recent announcement has the Government made about reaching agreement in principle on a free-trade agreement with the United Kingdom?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u002281d1d7fc149246968b63549ef2a9e08c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000114\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002281d1d7fc149246968b63549ef2a9e08c\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister for Trade and Export Growth: Today, we announced the reaching of an agreement in principle on an inclusive, comprehensive, and high-quality free-trade agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom. This deal substantially cuts costs for exporters and businesses and creates opportunities for New Zealand businesses to grow and diversify their trade while boosting the economy as we recover from COVID-19. Alongside the negotiations, our two countries have agreed to work together in the coming months to extend and improve the current working holiday arrangements, and this will be part of a mobility dialogue that will start immediately. We\u2019ve worked hard to land a deal that benefits all New Zealanders, delivering meaningful access for exporters, businesses, and people, and I want to thank all of those who have been involved in the negotiations.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000115\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221cd33f16-add4-4363-a2d4-f457841a5c4c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223d38de1919dc4cd9a24eb6e368f92112\u0022\u003EGlen Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: How does this agreement in principle provide meaningful access for some of our key industries?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000116\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00222f67a07c326f4ce18f4ccfbb3f683cac\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Just to take an example, our honey makers will enjoy no longer paying 16 percent tariffs on products they send to the UK. Our winemakers will be toasting a reduction in over $14 million worth of tariffs annually, as well as no longer having to face burdensome and costly administrative barriers in the UK market. Our butter and cheese producers will see significant tariff-free transitional quotas, providing opportunity to grow our trade through these periods. But it\u2019s not just primary exporters who will benefit from this. We\u2019ve agreed to cooperation and commitments in digital trade to assist our growing tech sector alongside securing more certainty in market for Kiwi services wanting to access the UK\u2019s Government procurement programme.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000117\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221cd33f16-add4-4363-a2d4-f457841a5c4c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002241e742762fe64426b953e0a4474acd4c\u0022\u003EGlen Bennett\u003C/span\u003E: How does this agreement in principle deliver on our trade priorities?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000118\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f824757afeac4235b1b6462cfa284661\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: Significantly, this is the first bilateral FTA that we\u2019ve negotiated in line with our Trade for All agenda where we seek outcomes that will deliver for all New Zealanders. The FTA creates a platform for cooperation on a range of issues important to M\u0101ori and will reflect M\u0101ori interests in key areas across the agreement such as in the intellectual property, trade, and environment chapters. The deal also contains the most ambitious commitments we have ever negotiated on the environment, including specific provisions on climate change and an agreement to take concrete steps to eliminate subsidies on fossil fuels. Additionally, over 260 environmentally beneficial products have been prioritised for tariff elimination\u2014the largest environment goods list ever agreed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000119\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002219f7d18ecdb2425f83c31bc11ffd63c3\u0022\u003EHon James Shaw\u003C/span\u003E: Will enforceable provisions of the UK - New Zealand free-trade agreement align with both countries\u2019 climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, and, if so, how?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000120\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022bed2d824362b4444bcded416f9327593\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, while the Paris Agreement and the FTA are two separate agreements, the environment chapter does include provisions on New Zealand\u2019s and the UK\u2019s right to regulate to meet our climate action targets and wider environmental objectives. In the end, the answer to the member\u2019s question lies in the hands of this Government and all New Zealanders to be able to fulfil it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000121\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022666c6bdf6e15469f9db532229d64a19f\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 6\u2014Finance\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022 data-id=\u00220c6fcaecda3a42f19bd7a4f090a10110\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000122\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E6. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00220c6fcaecda3a42f19bd7a4f090a10110\u0022\u003EANDREW BAYLY (National\u2014Port Waikato)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Finance: Did Cabinet agree on Monday, 18 October 2021 to all of the measures to be announced tomorrow in his enhanced business support package for Auckland; if so, what are those measures?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022 data-id=\u0022ff0a5ab7df2c43ed971f97e4fc9e91eb\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000123\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ff0a5ab7df2c43ed971f97e4fc9e91eb\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance):\u003C/span\u003E In answer to the question, the answer is essentially no. Cabinet did discuss the enhanced business support package on Monday. A group of Ministers were given power to act to finalise the details of the package. As to what\u2019s in it, that will be announced tomorrow.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000124\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cbbf25437d3e4f9592dc35162f2bb7c7\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Has he seen comments from Greg Harford, chief executive of Retail New Zealand, in support of a reduced corporate tax rate of 17.5 percent for an estimated 100,000 small businesses; and, if so, will this be included in his package?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000125\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022716ccd4006a94527b43906b809eb77d6\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: We traversed this material yesterday, and I noted to the member that some of the businesses that he\u2019s particularly concerned about at this stage aren\u2019t making a profit and aren\u2019t paying corporate tax. I can tell the member that we will not be adopting that part of his plan.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000126\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022917b42b8b31e4481891f622a0a598dca\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Has he seen comments from Julie White, chief executive of Hospitality New Zealand, in support of a cash rental support scheme for struggling businesses; if so, will this be included in this package?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000127\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229e8920e003d848c8bc0e242f10c42766\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The package will be announced tomorrow. I think it\u2019s really important, though, that when the member addresses individual parts of the package that people support, when one takes a step back and looks at a package that falls into the same fiscal Bermuda Triangle that the National Party fell into at the election, where he thinks he can reduce revenue, increase spending, and slash debt levels at the same time\u2014I\u2019m sure the likes of Julie White and others, while they might appreciate an individual part of the plan, will be really questioning if the plan actually adds up.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000128\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002263344af05b5a4f999cebd94755ee71d8\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Has he seen comment from the Business Events Industry Aotearoa in support of the Government underwriting an events insurance scheme; and, if so, will this be part of his package?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000129\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022d9b90d30328b4be89bfb47ebb221d553\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The package will be announced tomorrow. We have been working alongside the events sector for some time to support them. The best thing we can do for the events sector is have a consistent position that makes sure that we back a health-led approach with economic supports. That is what will help the whole of the New Zealand economy, as we\u2019ve proved over the last year.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000130\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022764284af88464ff2b53619385d0d3167\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: Has he seen comments from Vicky Beck, chief executive of Heart of the City\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000131\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e528bc9900414d2487c572cb89dd049d\u0022\u003EHon Member\u003C/span\u003E: Viv Beck.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000132\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002221e54c1cf2794b079cb4b3c1f333a835\u0022\u003EAndrew Bayly\u003C/span\u003E: \u2014sorry, Viv Beck\u2014in support of a mental health programme; and, if so, will this be included in his package?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000133\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226007dc96-f459-4cdd-9972-4fde2c994088\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229393200909ae4ae298a69a71e928a2a3\u0022\u003EHon GRANT ROBERTSON\u003C/span\u003E: The package will be announced tomorrow. We are very well aware of the importance of supporting not only small-business people but all Aucklanders with their mental health and wellbeing. As I answered in an earlier question, more money has gone into that area to make sure that we are meeting those needs.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000134\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c165073ff8794e3684d600d58f4eecd0\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 7\u2014Small Business\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022 data-id=\u002216873639f26f47cf938e8a86fc210b23\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000135\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E7. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002216873639f26f47cf938e8a86fc210b23\u0022\u003EJO LUXTON (Labour\u2014Rangitata)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for Small Business: What priorities for economic recovery in the Asia-Pacific region were identified by the recent meeting of APEC ministers responsible for small and medium enterprises?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022 data-id=\u002284296c2337234d92ba700813db60ba1a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000136\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002284296c2337234d92ba700813db60ba1a\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH (Minister for Small Business):\u003C/span\u003E During the recess, New Zealand hosted a virtual meeting of APEC Ministers responsible for small and medium enterprises. Collectively, we agreed on the need to place small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) at the heart of our economic recovery. Further, APEC Ministers identified two clear priorities. Firstly, we want close attention on the role of digital transformation and digital tools to enable effective recovery. Secondly, the joint ministerial statement identified the importance of supporting the mental wellbeing of our SME owners. This is significant because it is, I believe, the first time that APEC Ministers responsible for small businesses have identified mental wellbeing as a priority for building resilience in the economic recovery.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000137\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228fb51a5295684385a6ca67d44481c373\u0022\u003EJo Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: Why is there a focus on mental wellbeing?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000138\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221c252c3086214c3d865c4d2f2ff60e0e\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: The mental wellbeing and resilience of SMEs and workers must be acknowledged alongside the efforts to improve the financial resilience of their businesses. We recognised that business owners belong to families, participate in communities, and have their own aspirations. The joint Ministers\u2019 statement now acknowledges that supporting small and medium business owners\u2019 mental wellbeing helps build resilience, engagement, and productivity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000139\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002226b88bf1-f634-40e7-8019-e75cc483ace7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e5bddf5c1b3a4254b58f87a454d9c6f8\u0022\u003EJo Luxton\u003C/span\u003E: What measures are supporting the financial resilience of small-business owners since the Delta outbreak?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000140\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022bbded2ec-ac25-4a73-a380-3f4d87693084\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002246dd7b10f7ff45a8aae65312f0eb270e\u0022\u003EHon STUART NASH\u003C/span\u003E: Economic support has protected lives and livelihoods where it is needed most. In total, workers and businesses have received around $4.6 billion in direct financial support during the Delta outbreak, through five rounds of the wage subsidy and three rounds of the Resurgence Support Payment. About 1.1 million employees have been supported by the wage subsidy, plus a further 179,000 people who are self-employed. The wage subsidy has supported around 327,000 businesses. In terms of the Resurgence Support Payment, around 382,000 New Zealand businesses have received help to meet their fixed costs, with payments of more than $1.1 billion. Small businesses have received the lion\u2019s share of support: 61 percent by value of payments and 84 percent by volume of payments have gone to SMEs with five or fewer staff.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000141\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022d38452952fe9429f90f5ce3e4fa2d3fe\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 8\u2014ACC\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022 data-id=\u002274518746448a4d95a37d3265d8d35fab\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000142\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E8. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002274518746448a4d95a37d3265d8d35fab\u0022\u003EJAN LOGIE (Green)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister for ACC: Does ACC take privacy seriously when it comes to sensitive claims?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022 data-id=\u0022661039901e694c7d8c1e7be70a36adff\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000143\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022661039901e694c7d8c1e7be70a36adff\u0022\u003EHon JAN TINETTI (Minister of Internal Affairs)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister for ACC: Yes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000144\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223c0d8e0c591a4a189544fe20de2c6fa3\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Does the Minister believe it is appropriate for potentially dozens of staff across the organisation to be accessing sensitive claims repeatedly, even years after a claim has been closed, and without the claimant\u2019s specific consent?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000145\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b8b15c40b4df48efa104f7615999e7bf\u0022\u003EHon JAN TINETTI\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, as the Minister, I can\u2019t comment on individual claims or complaints. But what I can say is that ACC only provides access to sensitive claims to staff who need it to perform their role. Staff accessing a sensitive claimant\u2019s file will include recovery partners who work with them to organise supports and services. Other staff may also access the file\u2014for example, where they need to make payments for services like counselling or transport. But each file is divided into compartments, so contact information and payments are separate from sensitive material relating to a claimant\u2019s injury. I am assured that ACC wants sensitive claimants to feel confident their privacy is taken seriously, and is exploring improvements to systems and processes with respect to access to information.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000146\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022e26a32d7cdc641359fc877d7ae5fd922\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: What is the Minister\u2019s response to the recent Public Service Association ACC staff survey, which indicated some staff were uncomfortable with the amount of sensitive claims information they were accessing?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000147\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f6b5abad95db41618ed2ec3142889150\u0022\u003EHon JAN TINETTI\u003C/span\u003E: I have sought and received assurance from ACC that only staff who require access to sensitive claims in order to carry out the functions of their role have access. I am assured that ACC wants sensitive claimants to feel confident their privacy is taken seriously, and is exploring improvements to systems and processes with respect to access to information.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000148\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002268881f307f4f4974b17fb35645b8c7d4\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Is the Minister concerned sexual violence advocates are saying, \u201CThere is a widespread and systematic problem of ACC staff having inappropriate access to the files of sexual abuse survivors\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000149\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fb2966788020437d93967fdf2ea943aa\u0022\u003EHon JAN TINETTI\u003C/span\u003E: The Minister has sought assurance from ACC and, I reiterate, is assured that ACC wants sensitive claimants to feel confident their privacy is taken seriously, and is exploring improvements to systems and processes with respect to access to information.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000150\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022312b93ba018247d4a39d02767fe243f9\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: What steps are being taken to ensure staff who are subject to complaints of sexual harassment are not managing sensitive claims, as was reported this week?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000151\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221bd25dff3fbc4e99a8907727fcf5eae3\u0022\u003EHon JAN TINETTI\u003C/span\u003E: As Minister, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual employment matters. However, all ACC employees are police-vetted before they are employed. Only staff who require access to sensitive claims in order to carry out the functions of their role have access.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000152\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002269dfdffa-4227-42b6-875a-fc8033bc25cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b0ee271a988142099a2972ba9cbe43e8\u0022\u003EJan Logie\u003C/span\u003E: Will the Minister direct ACC to work with the sexual violence sector to ensure their privacy practices protect survivors?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000153\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ee51738dcb1e49a0b701b45070c5b70c\u0022\u003EHon JAN TINETTI\u003C/span\u003E: I will reiterate that the Minister is assured that ACC wants sensitive claimants to feel confident their privacy is taken seriously, and is exploring improvements to systems and processes with respect to access to information, including those that have suffered through sexual violence.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000154\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00223bfb75e9ac9249e89f1e37761020aa9c\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 9\u2014Health\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022 data-id=\u0022bdc78cf8328743b789480ebfb73546ad\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000155\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E9. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bdc78cf8328743b789480ebfb73546ad\u0022\u003EHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Health: How many people have worked on the health system reform since it was announced on 21\u00A0April 2021, and is he confident this hasn\u2019t undermined efforts to prepare our health system for COVID-19?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022 data-id=\u002239be0739d3f64507b82081cb3b1a04fe\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000156\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002239be0739d3f64507b82081cb3b1a04fe\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE (Associate Minister of Health (M\u0101ori Health))\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister of Health: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am advised that as at August, 78 individuals have made up the transition unit leading the reforms. Not all of these individuals are fulltime-equivalent. This is in addition to contributions from the core Public Service doing business as usual to support the work programme of the Government of the day. Thousands of other people have also contributed in over 500 engagements. They have included practitioners, support workers, administrators, and NGO representatives. To the second part of the question: yes, the overwhelming message we continue to get from the health sector is the reforms cannot come soon enough and we just need to get on with it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000157\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002250e9a2f5be954a778ec08b65f8623247\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Well, in that case, what does he say to the Auckland emergency nurse who told the New Zealand Herald: \u201Coverworked nurses fear hospitals aren\u2019t ready for the Covid-19 tsunami and often think about quitting.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000158\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221bf5dc6b09644bedab1a402e299eb577\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, I say that the work being done alongside DHBs to make sure that we have the surge capacity to be able to confront COVID-19 is well under way and is well supported and I have full confidence in it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000159\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002286ca3ccc50294ab488d4440da37f4dfc\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: How many extra fully-staffed ICU beds could have been funded with the half a billion dollars being spent to restructure the health system?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000160\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002221bb6c6120524047ac9a4a25669c53a4\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, what I know is that the surge capacity and the availability of beds, I am satisfied with. We know that work has been done since the first lockdown to make sure that there is enough capacity and there are enough beds. To the part with respect to the funding put forward for the health reforms, I\u2019ll repeat the part of the question in my primary answer, which was that the overwhelming message from the sector is that these reforms can\u2019t come soon enough, and they support what we\u2019re doing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000161\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f0a4dc2efc6440ddbc8e909bbef88c69\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Will he take up the challenge of intensive care doctor Paul Young to \u201Cvisit any ICU in the country and find one clinician (just one) who can show their newly staffed beds.\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000162\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ccc6465d13d04560a715e6d2a184d202\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, my humble yet hard-working colleague Minister Henare has visited Rotorua Hospital and has made sure to visit and talk to ICU workers and administrators and is confident that we have put in place the support that they need to make sure that they can continue to respond to COVID-19.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000163\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223dafb82f394d4affb2ff375f6b4902a9\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Why did his Government wait until month 20 of the global pandemic to set aside managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) spots for international healthcare workers, and is that delay one of the reasons a thousand operations a week are being cancelled?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000164\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e77494a0-1be1-432f-b492-fd160f4c119d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022cf6946a9e8264f4084effafaf1949011\u0022\u003EHon PEENI HENARE\u003C/span\u003E: On behalf of the Minister, we know that COVID-19 has provided particular challenges at the border. We know that as one of our best tools of protection is at the border, and it\u2019s important we maintain the integrity of the MIQ system. We have allocated the opportunity for health practitioners to come into the country to make sure that they can continue to support the work that we are doing to respond to COVID-19, and I\u2019m also confident that the current health sector that we have are doing a fantastic job, something that\u2019s lost on that member.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000165\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002255d22d26a2c84cffbb64a84eb399844f\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 10\u2014Internal Affairs\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002217bfa49a-da49-4001-9466-0b4bfd70b3f3\u0022 data-id=\u0022a8212b4a60804a218c8f21ce36579e1a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000166\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002217bfa49a-da49-4001-9466-0b4bfd70b3f3\u0022\u003E10. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a8212b4a60804a218c8f21ce36579e1a\u0022\u003EDr EMILY HENDERSON (Labour\u2014Whang\u0101rei)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What work is she progressing to keep New Zealanders safe online?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022 data-id=\u00226ff63654926f4ef7b42ac6b44abf87bd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000167\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226ff63654926f4ef7b42ac6b44abf87bd\u0022\u003EHon JAN TINETTI (Minister of Internal Affairs):\u003C/span\u003E The COVID-19 global pandemic has brought to light the ability for mis- and disinformation to rapidly spread online and cause harm. It\u2019s a complex issue that jurisdictions across the globe are battling with. As Minister of Internal Affairs, I am progressing with the latest iteration of our Keep It Real Online campaign, targeted at 13- to 18- year-olds. We\u2019ve released another episode of The Eggplant miniseries, focused on misinformation. It has now been viewed over 90,000 times, and social media content for the new episode has been viewed over 2.5 million times. The campaign explores how easy it can be to take information at face value without checking the facts.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000168\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002217bfa49a-da49-4001-9466-0b4bfd70b3f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ddb6e0480e8d46dab7ab218730a9d2ff\u0022\u003EDr Emily Henderson\u003C/span\u003E: How will this work help young people make informed decisions online?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000169\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002274543659ff314034a30d3c6c1d50beaf\u0022\u003EHon JAN TINETTI\u003C/span\u003E: Equipping young people with the tools to determine fact from fiction has never been more critical. I know some schools are currently grappling with combating misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. This will be particularly critical as our year 11 to 13 students return back to the classroom. I encourage schools and students to keep having honest, open conversations about the importance of vaccinations. Engaging tools such as The Eggplant miniseries and supporting material are available online to schools, and I encourage these conversations to occur. While we must protect freedom of speech, we also must ensure people have the tools to determine what is fake and what is real.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000170\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002217bfa49a-da49-4001-9466-0b4bfd70b3f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a76413635fc54928a440f6d02ef60889\u0022\u003EDr Emily Henderson\u003C/span\u003E: What legislation is currently being progressed by the House to protect New Zealanders from objectionable content online?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000171\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00229eef65cd-ce82-441c-af1b-954ea0782a04\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00226470c5075746443cae49228fe90752f7\u0022\u003EHon JAN TINETTI\u003C/span\u003E: This week, the House passed the second reading of the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification (Urgent Interim Classification of Publications and Prevention of Online Harm) Amendment Bill. The bill addresses online harms at the more extreme end. It makes important changes to protect New Zealanders from objectionable content, such as a terrorist attack being livestreamed online. The second reading was significant because the bill passed first reading with only the support of the Labour Party, but passed second reading with the support of Labour, National, the Greens, and Te Paati M\u0101ori. I would like to thank the former chair of the Governance and Administration Committee, Barbara Kuriger, for working with me to improve the bill. I would also like to thank the current chair, Ian McKelvie, for progressing the bill. This is an example of this House working together to pass quality, sensible legislation to keep New Zealanders safe online.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000172\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u00221439b0020b52423cb38e5a07f3578cee\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 11\u2014Education\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022 data-id=\u002287d55169235341e9bf82578ec42e7eb3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000173\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E11. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002287d55169235341e9bf82578ec42e7eb3\u0022\u003ENICOLA WILLIS (National)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Education: When are the more than 200,000 year 1 to 10 students in Auckland likely to return to school, and what risks, if any, to students has he been warned of that could result from missed time in the classroom?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022 data-id=\u0022d33e6f62b51d4557a46aea6f2c28b391\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000174\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d33e6f62b51d4557a46aea6f2c28b391\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education):\u003C/span\u003E The Government has not yet made a final decision on when years 1 to 10 students in Auckland will return to learning on a school site. I would note that since our current restrictions have been in place, students have been supported to learn from home, and I want to thank our teaching community for the enormous amount of work that they have done to ensure that those young people are supported to continue their learning when they\u2019re unable to be physically on the school site. The Government is aware of the risks of having students away from the school site for a prolonged period of time. That is one of the reasons why we have worked very hard to ensure that schools can stay open over the last 18 months and have, up until recently, had one of the lowest rates of school closure in the OECD. We do have to balance up the risks to children\u2019s education with the risks of COVID-19. We are acutely aware of the fact that, for primary school students in particular, when those schools reopen, they will be the highest concentrations of unvaccinated people in the country.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000175\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002207c09f48159d42c48ed4a1a6e7ec7efe\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: What analysis, if any, has he sought to measure the likely impact of schools reopening to years 1 to 10 students versus the harm to achievement and family wellbeing that will occur if schools don\u2019t open this year?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000176\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225433613216094a788a7ec7329a6abf42\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Those things are very difficult to measure. In fact, some students continue to learn very successfully using distance learning technology or other means of distance learning. And, in fact, there is evidence to suggest that, for some children, they do slightly better in their academic achievements through distance learning than they do from face-to-face teaching. However, there are significant social benefits, in terms of kids\u2019 social development, of them being back on a school site. It is difficult to quantify those things, though. The Ministry of Education, the Education Review Office, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, and the New Zealand Council for Educational Research have all looked at the impact of the disruption on children\u2019s learning last year, where there is some data available, and it found, it would be fair to say, that the overall analysis is variable. Some students did better, and some did worse. But we are, of course, aware that\u2014well, we are committed to getting kids back on to school sites so that they can resume a more regular schooling pattern as soon as it\u2019s safe to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000177\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00224319f318ddb54af488cb49b961d257d9\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: Does he anticipate that ongoing school closures will increase inequity in students\u2019 educational achievement, given the vastly different home circumstances children are now expected to learn in, and the likely impact that this will have?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000178\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022afc2168e84fc4be8879227d084b1ca2a\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, that is a very real concern. Absolutely that is a concern. It\u2019s one of the reasons why the Government has, over the last 18 months, gone to great lengths to try and level some of that playing field, but it is true to say that equity continues to be a significant concern. So we\u2019ve connected homes that weren\u2019t otherwise connected to the internet. We\u2019ve provided digital devices to children who otherwise wouldn\u2019t have access to them. We\u2019ve produced hard packs of materials that have been posted out to young people across the country, when they\u2019ve experienced disruption to their schooling, to ensure that they can continue their learning. But it is absolutely true to say that the social and cultural capital of a child\u2019s home does have an impact disproportionately on their learning when they are having to do learning from home.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000179\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dc52a37d0bf94529b8912373f89c41a6\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: Has he heard concerns from Tangaroa College Principal Davida Suasua that many students will not return to school following ongoing closures, saying, \u201CThey said, \u2018We\u2019re not coming back.\u2019 \u2026 It\u2019s really disheartening because \u2026 these students are very academically able, their pathway was to go to university, their pathway was to a career [and now they\u2019re not coming back]\u201D?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000180\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002207802e03446e4292bb93f863b891c1e0\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I have seen comments like that, and further comments that are similar to that, and those comments are very concerning. I don\u2019t want to see young people missing out on their education and the future opportunities that that provides them. One of the reasons that the Government has made the decision now to allow senior secondary school students to return to learning on site from next week is that we do want to decrease the chances of those young people disengaging from learning and not coming back to school, and we are aware that the longer the schools remain closed, the more students there will be in that category. So, yes, that continues to be a concern.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000181\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f12da0af-dc73-4870-8f77-1d50a75eb44c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022f37032baab54452dbed2a524dcdd3337\u0022\u003ENicola Willis\u003C/span\u003E: Does he expect all secondary schools to reopen for years 11 to 13 students on Tuesday, 26 October, and what will he do if he learns that some schools have chosen not to reopen on that date?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000182\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221dbd2811-8e58-4ffb-848d-31c0eaa9690a\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022a91027e083bb4400a37627c3864ee702\u0022\u003EHon CHRIS HIPKINS\u003C/span\u003E: Yes, I do expect them to reopen; however, within that, schools do have some flexibility, because schools will have to be open for the required number of half days that they have to be open. So there will be a prorating of the number of half days that they won\u2019t have to be open, based on the recent level 4 and then level 3 restrictions that have been in place. But, once that requirement to be closed is lifted, they will need to comply with the requirement to be open for a specified number of half days between now and the end of the year.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000183\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022c95aedfd3e964a7282a6570bd835ec2d\u0022\u003EQuestion No. 12\u2014Conservation\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022 data-id=\u00226cfcc100227943cbadc6575e6a1ee833\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000184\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E12. \u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226cfcc100227943cbadc6575e6a1ee833\u0022\u003EANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour)\u003C/span\u003E to the Minister of Conservation: What recent announcements has she made regarding Jobs for Nature investment that supports the fight against myrtle rust?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022 data-id=\u00226f102fcd5507475f9f40749f49824b07\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000185\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226f102fcd5507475f9f40749f49824b07\u0022\u003EHon KIRITAPU ALLAN (Minister of Conservation):\u003C/span\u003E Earlier this month, I announced a Jobs for Nature - funded collaboration between communities and scientists in a crucial step in the fight to protect some of New Zealand\u2019s best known native plants. We\u2019re talking about the iconic Kiwi Christmas tree, the p\u014Dhutukawa; r\u0101t\u0101; m\u0101nuka; ramarama, which is the home of our honey industry where myrtle rust poses the biggest threat. Five million dollars has been invested across two projects: one each in Te Tai R\u0101whiti and the Bay of Plenty to focus on monitoring myrtle rust infestations, mapping its spread, and ramping up the propagation of plants showing the most resistance to the disease.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000186\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022716d91b57c7c4335b5f0e23660607561\u0022\u003EAngie Warren-Clark\u003C/span\u003E: What are the details of the project in Tai R\u0101whiti?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000187\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022fcc14992357e49bbbc4579170e76764b\u0022\u003EHon KIRITAPU ALLAN\u003C/span\u003E: The Whakapae Ururoa: Community Myrtle Rust Surveillance Project will track spread and infestation at critical sites across a 27,800-hectare stretch of the mighty East Coast coastline led by local conservationist Graeme Atkins, who has been monitoring myrtle rust on the East Coast since he observed its appearance a few years ago. The work utilises ground knowledge and biocultural monitoring approaches and will be linked into a localised and national reporting system. Seed collection, storage, and propagation protocols will be developed alongside the mana whenua and local capability developed to oversee the collection and propagation of native seeds across the mighty East Coast.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000188\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ffc3b03ae83a48bb97b048f0a0072837\u0022\u003EAngie Warren-Clark\u003C/span\u003E: What are the details of the project in the mighty Bay of Plenty?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000189\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022b375c674e46446cb982118ad2968fe3e\u0022\u003EHon KIRITAPU ALLAN\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m not sure\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000190\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c9e2ad107624432fbc542398c6dda3af\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Is that a valid question?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000191\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a8cab3e3-b023-4ce7-9f4b-2c4137029057\u0022\u003E:\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c0b8bff56ae14668b2a81803f7649d3b\u0022\u003EHon KIRITAPU ALLAN \u003C/span\u003ESir, I was just going to raise that same point myself. Heoi an\u014D, look, the Jobs for Resistance project in the Bay of Plenty will identify where the most vulnerable myrtle species are in the native forests in the Bay of Plenty region, determining the extent of each population, and record the incidence and severity of myrtle rust within them. This is a project that is a collaboration between Scion and many of the local iwi in the region. Cuttings will be taken and seed collections started, with the intention of establishing a resistance breeding programme. Together, both projects will employ at least 15 people over three years to undertake this crucial work.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000192\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022833f3771c83641a79a1328b2039574eb\u0022\u003ESpeaker\u2019s Rulings\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000193\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022de712c88b269438ebc40a264ccb689b2\u0022\u003EInterpretation of \u201CBusiness Attire\u201D\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022 data-id=\u0022ae8edd17e61e4da5a6d47ecd9f39474c\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000194\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227e22bb95-9afb-449c-bcd2-de9fd4f2277c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ae8edd17e61e4da5a6d47ecd9f39474c\u0022\u003EDAVID SEYMOUR (Leader\u2014ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek your assistance in interpreting a Speaker\u2019s ruling 17/7. I know you may not be used to being asked for sartorial advice, but are Air Jordans an example of business attire?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022090fe900f7e749fab961c2ceb76bc3b0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000195\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022090fe900f7e749fab961c2ceb76bc3b0\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Well, I\u2019d tend to say it would depend on the business you were in. The business which Air Jordans are normally associated with, in my interpretation, is not quite the business that we expect to take part in these precincts. I am, however, taking a lot of care around further interpretation of sartorial elegance and business attire in the House. I think it is a case of twice burnt, I\u2019m not going to do it again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022HpsHansard\u0022\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000196\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsProceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00225826dcb60ce748808f74764e8f17bcc3\u0022\u003EPoints of Order\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000197\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u002209528cb0e8074eab9ddf19fcb01ec0ab\u0022\u003ECOVID-19 Vaccination\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022 data-id=\u0022d6fca9e56aba47adab1779c3c7000c37\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000198\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00220f7d126e-c18d-4466-9ebe-d424ae5c4bf6\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d6fca9e56aba47adab1779c3c7000c37\u0022\u003ERAWIRI WAITITI (Co-Leader\u2014Te Paati M\u0101ori):\u003C/span\u003E Point of order, Mr Speaker. I\u2019m bringing up a point of order at my earliest convenience, after reading through the Standing Orders. A comment you made, Mr Speaker, around a member, a kaum\u0101tua, advising M\u0101ori not to take the vaccination, when, in actual fact, there is an article in the Waateanews.com, if that\u2019s not a viable source of report, where Mr Bird says, \u201CMy body is my body. It belongs to me. It does not belong to the State. I will make the decision for myself. I have my own mind. I am te mana motuhake.\u201D Not once in that article does he talk about advising M\u0101ori not to take the vaccine. He is pro\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022 data-id=\u0022eba1c142cbf54ce7b949fa2ad6bd7fd3\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000199\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022eba1c142cbf54ce7b949fa2ad6bd7fd3\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! The member will resume his seat. If the member wants to take that matter up with me further, and we can, I\u2019m sure, produce other reports, I don\u2019t want to undermine Waatea News, but it\u2019s not my general place of reading and, therefore, I was not relying on that report. I\u2019m just saying, because there appear to be another couple of members who feel like giving assistance on this matter, don\u2019t try it.\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=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000200\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022b9b872724bcb41c1a0ae0d93c070af81\u0022\u003EFinancial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000201\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u00223b2177a6e6374407ac616a82804fc5e3\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022 data-id=\u0022d245f81bfa2545bc813ce56a2ce54816\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000202\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022d245f81bfa2545bc813ce56a2ce54816\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs):\u003C/span\u003E I present a legislative statement on the Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000203\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002279db8b64-1f9b-4416-9b81-a12963db9cbf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00228d7b047db6d140a3bdd3cadee38d36a2\u0022\u003ESPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That legislative statement is published under the authority of the House and can be found on the Parliament website.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000204\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002218e7420186dd441ba6692a62c6ca3dd2\u0022\u003EHon Dr DAVID CLARK\u003C/span\u003E: I move, That the Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EWe have a climate emergency, and today, with the passing of this legislation, New Zealand is on track to become the first country in the world to implement law requiring our financial sector to explain how it will manage risks and opportunities into the future. This is a landmark day. The financial sector will be required to supply clear, consistent, and comparable information, which will help with the efficient allocation of capital and markets, and over time we will see that this will have an impact on climate risk and opportunity. We will see investment patterns change for the betterment of our climate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000206\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EI want to begin today by thanking all of those in the financial markets industry who\u2019ve worked alongside the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), and who\u2019ve worked alongside the Ministry for the Environment, in the shaping of this legislation to make sure that it achieves its objectives.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000207\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EI want to thank those who submitted to the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee, and who gave their time and expertise to make sure this law achieved its purposes. And, of course, I would be remiss not to mention the Hon James Shaw and his contribution, as he has championed this project from the start, so I do acknowledge James Shaw\u2019s not insignificant contribution, in that respect. I also want to acknowledge one official, actually: Geoff Connor, from MBIE\u2014him and his team. Geoff, now retired, has devoted a good deal of time and expertise to this project. I believe it kept him some time from his retirement, and I do want to place on record my thanks for his contributions.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000208\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EI want to emphasise this is a big deal. This legislation will make a meaningful difference to New Zealand\u2019s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality. One of the most significant risks that our economy faces is actually climate-related risks, and while businesses are at the point now where they acknowledge those risks, we have not seen consistent reporting on them, and we have not always seen good, clear information that would inform day-to-day decision-making, that would inform where investors put their capital now. It has tended to be viewed as a longer-term issue. Well, these risks and opportunities, if they\u2019re not accounted for, cannot be accurately priced, investors cannot put their money where their risks are least, and, with it, we have a delay in climate action.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000209\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EThis bill aims to correct the current information gap, and it will do this by requiring around 200 of our largest financial market participants in New Zealand to disclose clear, consistent, comparable information about the risks and opportunities that their business carries so that we as investors, those who relate to financial markets, can make the choices that will shape our future.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000210\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EThere are four main elements to this bill. The first is it introduces a mandatory climate-related disclosures regime for most listed issuers along with large registered banks, licensed insurers, and managers of registered investment schemes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000211\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EThe second thing it does is it requires these disclosures to be made in accordance with standards that will be issued by the External Reporting Board (XRB). Just yesterday, Minister Shaw and I launched the first consultation on these standards that will be issued by the XRB. They\u2019ll be in line with the recommendations of the TCFD, the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, whose work was published a number of years ago and is well known, and they, of course, responded to the Financial Stability Board\u2019s request to provide those recommendations. They\u2019re now considered international best practice and are being more and more widely adopted. At the start of this month, somebody worked out that TCFD recommendations are now supported across 89 countries and jurisdictions. There are over a thousand financial institutions responsible for assets of nearly $US200 trillion that have regard now to these standards.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000212\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EThe third main element of the bill is the Financial Market Authority\u2019s responsibility for monitoring disclosures and enforcing compliance using its existing statutory powers, and the fourth key element is that the XRB will be able to issue guidance material on environmental, social, and governance\u2014or ESG\u2014reporting, and other aspects of non-financial reporting. That guidance will be incredibly important as we transition to this becoming standard practice for businesses. And I expect to see wider take-up beyond those 200 who will be mandated, as investors start to demand clearer reporting, more consistent reporting.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000213\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003ECountering climate change, of course, is a global priority, and this legislation is in tune with a number of international developments in the short to medium term. Other countries are on record stating their ambition to have mandatory disclosure regimes. The UK wants to have this in place by 2025. Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and the European Union are also working towards some form of climate risk reporting for companies. Globally, financial market regulators have increased their focus on climate risks too. The UK\u2019s Financial Conduct Authority requires UK-listed commercial companies with a premium listing to disclose against the TCFD recommendations for accounting periods beginning at the start of this year. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has highlighted climate-related risks as a systemic problem in the Australian market and recommended the same TCFD framework be used by listed companies.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000214\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re seeing this more broadly. In the run-up to COP26, the most consequential United Nations climate change conference in years, investors with $46 trillion in assets under management are urging Governments to adopt five key priorities. And it will surprise no one in this House now that they realise the importance of this legislation\u2014that adopting standards in line with the TCFD recommendations is one of those priorities that those investors are recommending as a response to the climate crisis.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000215\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EThe Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee made a number of important amendments, and they included excluding smaller listed issuers from the disclosure regime so that it would be a proportionate regime, removing the disclosure explain provisions to achieve clear and comparable records so that we didn\u2019t have two duplicate systems running, so that we can compare them all. That means that all entities will be affected\u2014well, we know all entities will be affected by climate change to some extent, so it will be reported proportionately to those entities. The Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee amendments also remove the assurance practitioner licensing regime whilst maintaining the mandatory disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions so that a fit for purpose regime can be designed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000216\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EThere was a Government Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) considered during the committee stage of the House, and I want to thank members for, I think, a high-quality debate. Some disagreed with aspects, but I think it was a good debate in this House, I have to say, and I look to members opposite speaking and I acknowledge their contributions. This SOP amended some provisions that had come back from the select committee, to make sure that they were tidy. The first change closed a loophole around the appropriate measure to assess the economic significance of debt issuers. Another change made it not an offence when an assurance practitioner\u2019s report did not meet the applicable auditing and assurance standards. We want an industry of assurance practitioners to build up here who have the capability, and we don\u2019t want to be overly punitive at the start of this regime. And, indeed, to that end, another change was achieved with that SOP that increased the time frame for assurance practitioners to send their qualified report to the regulators from seven to 20 days.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000217\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EI am delighted that we have got to the third reading of this bill, that we will be the first country in the world to put ourselves on track to mandatory climate disclosure regime reporting, and that we will expect our companies to disclose their risks, their opportunities, around climate change\u2014not just in the long term but for day-to-day investors to understand how they are shaping their businesses and how they are taking account of the growing risks to their businesses of being overly dependent on climate-unfriendly technologies or practices. This bill takes an important step to correct the ongoing and systematic overvaluation of emissions-intensive activities. It strikes the right balance between transparency for investors and consumers and proportionate costs on disclosing entities.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000218\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00225bbd9f26-fdb0-4b85-a836-0fc46e1bba3c\u0022\u003EToday is a day that we in this House, I believe, can be proud of. We\u2019ve provided better, clearer information to markets for efficient allocation of capital\u2014not sexy words that roll off the tongue, but they do matter; they do matter. At a time, today, when we pass this bill, we will be voting not just for better information in markets; we\u2019ll be voting for a better future for this planet. It will be a win for financial markets and it will be a win for the climate. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022 data-id=\u002227d4050ffe324062b53bc44d00d58e12\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000219\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002227d4050ffe324062b53bc44d00d58e12\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that the motion be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022 data-id=\u002254bb33320fd444a7a8dd7aac886118b8\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000220\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002254bb33320fd444a7a8dd7aac886118b8\u0022\u003EHon TODD McCLAY (National\u2014Rotorua):\u003C/span\u003E Listening to the Minister\u2019s speech and I\u2019m so excited by the legislation! We\u2019ve done so much. New Zealand\u2019s playing its part, we\u2019ve fixed climate change\u2014until we read the legislation and, actually, if the intent that comes from the speech was in the bill, we would be achieving much, much more than we are here today.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000221\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EI remember when I was studying, when there was enthusiasm for a cause, when one showed leadership, when one actually got up and made the case, they would want to give a reward and it would often be a chocolate fish, and I was going to offer the Minister this chocolate fish that comes from the whips, a seat behind me, until I heard at the beginning of his speech, him say, \u201CThis is a landmark day for this Parliament.\u201D I\u2019ve decided to keep the chocolate fish and eat it myself in a moment. The reason for this is, actually, it doesn\u2019t do anything in as far as the companies are concerned that are covered by the legislation in how they act when it comes to climate change. It doesn\u2019t make them change the vehicles that they drive. It doesn\u2019t mean they should fly less if the Government decides flying around the world or just within New Zealand is bad for climate change. It doesn\u2019t do any of those things. It doesn\u2019t encourage them to meet the Government\u2019s commitment of the country being carbon neutral by a date in the future. What it does is gets them to spend a lot of time looking at the effects upon climate change upon their investments and whether or not that may have some impact upon them in the future or not. Doesn\u2019t say if climate change does have an impact upon them that they have to or should change what they\u2019re doing; merely that they should actually go out and have a look and assess these sorts of things.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000222\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EIn that respect, it\u2019s not a harmful bill because, I suppose, the Government has a view that these companies have lots of spare time on their hands. But when the Minister says this is a landmark and that it shapes the future and all the other things that he said, actually, I\u2019m not allowed to say that that\u2019s misleading, but it\u2019s certainly not giving the clearer picture of what this bill does.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000223\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EWe have spoken at each stage of this about our concerns\u2014National is supporting it, but our concerns are about getting it right, about not overburdening enterprise unnecessarily. That does not say we don\u2019t support this, nor that, actually, the entities that are covered by it shouldn\u2019t go through a procedure to report. But the problem we have here is that procedure for how they will report is not available yet. The Minister said that yesterday he and James Shaw launched a consultation process. There\u2019s a lot of achievement this week! A consultation process on what the reporting standards may be in the future. But, actually, as this has to happen within 12 months of entry into force, we made the case at other stages, and make it again, that, actually, for a number of these entities\u2014which are very large businesses\u2014the time frame with which they\u2019ll have to report actually is likely to be too short. I hope the External Reporting Board will take that into account and do its work quickly because actually, yes, it\u2019s important that they meet what the law will say that these enterprises, these companies, have to. We also want them to be doing what they need to, which is, actually, employing people, growing their businesses, helping the Government repay some of the debt that they\u2019ve racked up over a period of time just as a result of COVID.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000224\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003ERegulation is not bad, but bad regulation is bad, and too much regulation does have an impact, it does have an effect. We also made the case all the way through that the public sector and the private sector should be the same. The Government has given a carve-out, an exemption, to its own entities and its own companies, and that actually sends the wrong signal. Now, Mr Shaw said in the committee stage, \u201CActually, they\u2019re covered later on in a different way. We might do some more.\u201D But the signal it sends to the private sector is: one rule for you, a different one for us when it comes to what the Government does. The Government says that, well, they can instruct these companies as to what they want them to do with their letters of expectation, but, actually, what it says in this document, in this law when it\u2019s passed: if a company doesn\u2019t meet the requirements of the law, they break the law. And the Government is really saying to the private sector: one rule for you, a different one for us, we know best. I think it sends the wrong signal.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000225\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EThe final area that we thought actually there needed to be a change\u2014and we put in proposals for this, the House didn\u2019t agree\u2014was around the need for those who have no impact on them at all from climate change to still have to go through a lengthy period or process to be able to report that it has no impact upon them. We think, actually, they should have the ability just to explain if it is the case that climate change doesn\u2019t have an impact upon their investments\u2014not even their investments, on their business, then just explain the reason why and that would be enough, but they have to go through a process. It could be lengthy, it could be very, very expensive to say, \u201CNothing to see here.\u201D In the case that a company did that, explained it doesn\u2019t have an impact upon them and it does, they\u2019ve broken the law. These are very large companies, many of them listed. Actually, they take their responsibilities seriously. We are burdening some that this legislation shouldn\u2019t apply to, but that\u2019s just very much the way of this Government, I suppose.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000226\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003ENational supports reasonable law when it comes to New Zealand doing our part as far as climate change is concerned. It\u2019s a shame that Minister Shaw is jumping on a plane with a lot of other people to fly to the other side of the world and this is all he really gets to wave at them\u2014that New Zealand has passed a law very, very quickly that doesn\u2019t actually make companies change what they do in as far as their own footprint is concerned, but all they\u2019re going to do is report. In that respect, it\u2019s a shame because the Government could have done much, much more here. We will be supporting it because it sends a signal, but merely sending a signal does not mean that this is a good day for this Parliament or that there\u2019s a landmark deal. And I\u2019m sorry, Minister, I\u2019m having the chocolate fish.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022 data-id=\u00223213994bfcd74bafaab000134d802183\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000227\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00223213994bfcd74bafaab000134d802183\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW (Minister of Climate Change):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. Well, it\u2019s a shame actually that Todd McClay wasn\u2019t on the consultation launch yesterday. There were just shy of 600 people. I was scrolling through the list of participants. It\u2019s a pretty large group of people interested in where this thing is going and it is a shame that Todd McClay wasn\u2019t on it, because then his speech would be better informed and less ignorant than what we just saw.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000228\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EThere are not a lot of good news days when it comes to climate change, but today is one of them. Today is a good news day in the domain of climate change and I want to start by thanking the Hon Dr David Clark, who has led this bill through the House, through to its completion. I am very grateful for the work that he has done as well as all of those people from the financial markets industry who have worked alongside officials from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as well as the Ministry for the Environment\u2014grateful for all of their hard work to make sure that the legislation delivers on the objectives. I also wanted to thank all of those who submitted on the bill, and obviously the members of the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee, for all of their hard work. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000229\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EThere were a number of improvements that came out of that process, and I think it is again very good news when you can see how a bill is improved by the quality of submissions that are received both on paper and through that select committee process. So I do want to thank all of those people who actively engaged in it, because it is now a better bill than it was when we started and, as always in these processes, there are areas which were discovered during the process and remedies that were applied towards that, so that is good.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000230\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EDespite the kind of fairly sweeping generalisations and inaccuracies in the National Party spokesperson\u2019s speech just now, I do want to thank the National Party for their support for this bill. It does demonstrate that it is widely supported. It does reflect the fact that when the Government went out in the previous term to consult with the community, saying, \u201CShould we be introducing a mandatory climate-related financial disclosures regime?\u201D, 86 percent of private sector submitters were in favour of a mandatory regime. National, of course, purports to be the party of business, so it\u2019s good to see that they\u2019re not so out of touch with the business community that they weren\u2019t able to reflect the enthusiasm with which the private sector has embraced this legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000231\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EThe reason why\u2014and it is unusual, of course, for business to say, yes, actually we would like a mandatory regime that we can all be a part of\u2014is because actually it is now widely understood that climate change does represent a real material risk to business. But it is difficult on a voluntary basis for companies to report, because, in showing the risks that they are exposed to, if their competitor businesses don\u2019t also do that then that company, no matter how good its intentions, is exposing itself in ways that its competitors are not. So the reason why mandatory reporting was so widely supported in the private sector was because people felt that it would introduce a level playing field and actually make it easier for them to report. And obviously the financial sector fund managers, analysts, directors and so on are also very interested in ensuring that this information comes to light, because of the very material risks.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000232\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003ENow, I would like to just start with the genesis of this legislation, just to remind the House where this has come from. As it happens, I was at the conference of the parties in Paris. I was in Opposition at the time. I was there as a guest of the then climate change Minister Tim Groser. He had started what is now a longstanding approach to bipartisan participation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process. Of course, I have continued that in extending the invitations to the Opposition spokesperson to join us along on those, and unfortunately it\u2019s been somewhat ungraciously declined this year, which I think is a signal of the kind of backward steps that the National Party are taking when it comes to climate change, desperately trying to get themselves out of the bipartisan consensus that their predecessors were involved in starting.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000233\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003ESo I was over there as a guest of the then climate change Minister, the Hon Tim Groser, but of course because I was in Opposition I wasn\u2019t involved directly in the negotiations. I went along to the launch of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, which was chaired by Michael Bloomberg and Mark Carney, who was then, of course, the Governor of the Bank of England. These two gentlemen are particularly dry, economically, You could not accuse either of them of being radical hippies in any sense, but the language that they were using really was sounding the alarm, and there was a key phrase that I think Mark Carney used. He said that in their assessment, in the assessment of that task force, there are literally of trillions of dollars of unquantified, undisclosed and therefore unmanaged risk sitting on corporate balance sheets as a result of climate change\u2014trillions of dollars of risk that is not known about by the directors or the shareholders of those businesses, and of course that represents a material risk to those businesses themselves. It represents a material risk to the owners of those businesses. Actually, it\u2019s so wide scale it also represents a risk to the financial system itself, which is why central banks like the Bank of England are so interested in supporting this climate-related financial disclosures regime and why our own central bank, the Reserve Bank, was so keen for us to adopt this legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000234\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EThat risk falls into roughly two categories. The first is kind of physical risk, if you like: do I have assets that are on the coast that are exposed to sea-level rise or on flood plains; do I have agricultural businesses that will be exposed to risk from increasingly severe and frequent droughts or floods or storms or, in some cases, wild fires and so on. So the physical risks that are associated with climate change.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000235\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224d83c8a5-2f48-4991-9c45-b1a6060daedd\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c426a4b56c814b9b873e27783f52eb8c\u0022\u003EMaureen Pugh\u003C/span\u003E: That\u2019s rubbish\u2014you know it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000236\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00227065c79c480d4842a36eed92101b3095\u0022\u003EHon JAMES SHAW\u003C/span\u003E: And of course the second category of risk\u2014coming from the West Coast! The second category of risk is related to what we call stranded asset risk, and that is, of course, that as the world transitions particularly away from fossil fuels or other high emissions intensive industries, my investments in those businesses may actually degrade over time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000237\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EFossil fuels are, of course, the kind of most obvious example of this. We know scientifically that we cannot burn 80 percent of the known reserves of oil and gas and still be able to stay within 1.5 degrees of global warning. But, of course, the valuations of those companies on the stock exchange is based on the idea that you can extract and burn 100 percent of those reserves. So therefore that represents a very significant write-down risk for those companies, and you can see that starting to flow through. Particularly, I think it was BP not all that long ago had a huge write-down of some of their reserves on that basis. And so without being able to assess, to have a methodology for assessing these risks, directors, investors, fund managers, and analysts are in the dark about the scale of the risks that their investments are exposed to. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000238\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EWhat that means is that they cannot price risk, they cannot allocate capital in a way that makes sense. Of course, you know, as the previous speaker mentioned, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that they\u2019re not going to continue investing in oil and gas or in other industries that are exposed to those risks, but they can at least price that risk according to the scale of the challenge that is in front of them. But, of course, the safest thing to do is to allocate your capital to low emissions businesses that are resilient to the effects of climate change. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000239\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003EAnd so what you will see as a result of this legislation and the standards that are being produced by the External Reporting Board is people starting to make decisions about where to put their money in ways that ensure that it is safe over the long term. Of course, what that will mean is that businesses will themselves start to make decisions about how to reduce their emissions profile, how to build up their adaptive capability and their resilience. That is about creating momentum in the economy away from the very high pollution economy that we\u2019ve had in the past towards a low or even zero emission economy in the future. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000240\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00227c215736-b512-41de-8f0c-6c5543fcfce7\u0022\u003ESo in that sense, it is a small intervention. You might think that corporate reporting by itself is, you know, particularly dry, isn\u2019t necessarily going to make a difference, but my firm belief and the belief of many people around the world is that it\u2019s going to make a significant difference. I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022 data-id=\u00227464fd6ea54a438da7d30161fcc9131b\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000241\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227464fd6ea54a438da7d30161fcc9131b\u0022\u003EANDREW BAYLY (National\u2014Port Waikato):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure to be talking on the Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. I didn\u2019t sit on the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee, but I know enough from just reading what\u2019s going through on this bill to know that this bill really should be renamed. I think it should actually be named something along the lines of \u201CPassing on best wishes to James Shaw as he takes off to Glasgow and wants to re-enter and experience the managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities in New Zealand as he returns\u2014maybe on his own; maybe leaving the other 14 or so members overseas.\u201D I think the process he\u2019s going to have to endure in those MIQ spaces will be his reward. So when he gets to Glasgow\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000242\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c54ec3c49e1f4630a403537298e64e1d\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: I\u2019m just going to remind the member that we\u2019re debating the bill as agreed by the committee of the whole House. That is not part of this bill, so he should move to the bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000243\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002248b8f7ca31334239a3b098e536cceda7\u0022\u003EANDREW BAYLY\u003C/span\u003E: So as I say, there\u2019s no doubt that Mr Shaw is going to be able to talk about this bill when he\u2019s in Glasgow. The issue with this bill is that we have no issue with an aspect of businesses moving towards meeting their climate change objectives and managing their investments well. The key issue is how that\u2019s achieved, and making sure we do it in a practical manner and actually achieving the results we want to see in terms of businesses over time reducing their emissions and helping the country meet its climate change objectives. So there\u2019s no issue with that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000244\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThe first thing I\u2019d note about this bill is that, of course, it is a legislative solution to the issue. It\u2019s not one that\u2019s been led or allowed to be led by the industry. I know industry participants have been involved in the process. But in many cases, there are many industries that willingly would do this, but this is a legislative hard nut to achieve that outcome.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000245\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ESo yes, we support the bill, but we do have certain issues with it. I think a lot of that we covered yesterday in the discussion with the Minister. I\u2019m very grateful for the Minister acknowledging the discussion yesterday in the committee of the whole House. At least we found out and got final clarification as to the threshold, after some time, namely that the $60 million threshold at which, if you\u2019re a debt issuer or an equity issuer, if you breach that or you have a larger listed element of that, then you will be caught under this provision if your valuation at the date of your balance sheet means that you exceed the $60 million.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000246\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ESo one of the questions we raised yesterday, obviously, was what happens if during the course of the year you trigger the $60 million, but then come back under the $60 million at balance date. It was made clear, finally, by the Minister that it\u2019s only at the balance date that the critical period is assessed.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000247\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThe second one is the area of whether unlisted securities were included in the calculation of the $60 million and, again, finally, we got a result on that. It only relates to listed elements of debt and equity. Never got, actually, a clear definition of what equity is. Equity has many forms, and I think there was, perhaps, a view that equity is a bit too difficult to define, because you can have quasi - equity instruments, and I don\u2019t know how this is catered for in the bill. That\u2019s the first thing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000248\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThe second issue, I think, is the issue around standards, and the Minister pointed this out before, that the External Reporting Board will be the group tasked to actually determine the standards. Obviously, they\u2019ll be working off the international task force that\u2019s been set to set those standards. Of course, for industries or companies looking at how this might affect their reporting requirements, we now wait to see what the standards are that will be put in place. I would only urge that the standards that are ultimately agreed are prudent and appropriate and do not overreach, and certainly don\u2019t go beyond what is actually recommended by the task force. We do have a tendency to take what happens overseas and then actually end up making it more difficult.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000249\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EI think one of the greatest concerns is whilst we might start out with broad rules that will be helpful, over time what happens is they become increasingly more complex. You just need to look at the Resource Management Act from when it was passed 25 years ago and what it looks like today. I just hope that there\u2019s a discipline around the standards that are actually agreed upon and implemented.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000250\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThen there\u2019s the third issue around who are the assurance practitioners who are going to prepare these reports for the 200-odd entities that are going to be captured initially under this bill. It does come back to what the standards are, because the standards will dictate what are the skill sets of those people, how they\u2019re going to do their work\u2014there\u2019s a short reporting period of that\u2014and by what means will they be licensed. What requirements will they need to be licensed? I presume the Financial Markets Authority is going to do that. None of that, of course, has been set out yet. Of course, both those elements have got to be done over the next 12 months.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000251\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003ESo there\u2019s quite a lot of work for this to be put in place quickly in order for the companies, the reporting entities, to actually meet their requirements, which, of course, now under this bill will be required within 12 months. One of the Supplementary Order Papers that we debated yesterday was whether, in fact, they should be delayed, but the Government saw fit to refuse to delay it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000252\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThe other issue is this one about why only private businesses are captured by this bill, and the reliance on Crown entities and State-owned entities to be, basically, captured under these requirements through ministerial letters of expectation. Again, we just think that is a wrong approach. If it\u2019s good for the private sector, it should be the same rules applied to Government sector organisations. In many cases they are even more well-resourced to do this type of thing. That lack of consistency is an issue for us.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000253\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EThe other final aspect I just want to talk about is the issue of the comply-or-explain approach. What this bill did\u2014and it got taken out during the bill\u2019s process through the committee\u2014was the ability for companies to look at their arrangements and say, \u201CLook, I don\u2019t think we\u2019re necessarily captured under these. We don\u2019t have significant climate change issues in our businesses.\u201D It might be a totally digital type of business that doesn\u2019t have a large footprint, and the ability to be able to issue an explain notice would have been very helpful, and I think a pragmatic option for some businesses\u2014not for all businesses\u2014but it would have been a pragmatic approach. But that was removed during the select committee stage, which means that every single organisation must engage an assurance practitioner, go through the process, the costs involved in that, and the reporting of that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000254\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022859e13f9-33bb-41bb-b2f0-d848eaf25407\u0022\u003EOf course, this all means quite significant things for investors, because I think one of the issues that\u2019s going to arise from this is that these larger entities may look to divest themselves of anything that potentially gives rise to risk. I think the issue that the Hon James Shaw was referring to, which was stranded assets\u2014I think what we don\u2019t want to see is businesses deciding not to invest, for instance, in better processes to use coal in steelmaking as a way to reduce emissions over time, as there\u2019s a transition to other technologies. What we\u2019ll see and could possibly see is there\u2019s a general reluctance to look at anything that is perceived to have a significant climate change risk. I think if that leads to that outcome then that will be disappointing, because to migrate to new technologies takes time. I think if this bill cuts across that, then that\u2019s a lost opportunity. But anyway, National is supporting this bill and we look forward to seeing how it\u2019s put into place over time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00221cd33f16-add4-4363-a2d4-f457841a5c4c\u0022 data-id=\u002245919d0c9a4448d0892b02de0863a2cd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000255\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221cd33f16-add4-4363-a2d4-f457841a5c4c\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002245919d0c9a4448d0892b02de0863a2cd\u0022\u003EGLEN BENNETT (Labour\u2014New Plymouth):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora, Mr Speaker. Thank you for the opportunity to speak on a wonderful day in this House where we can support the Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000256\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221cd33f16-add4-4363-a2d4-f457841a5c4c\u0022\u003ENow, it\u2019s also an awesome day when you can see the Minister of Consumer and Commerce Affairs and the Minister of Climate Change come together to work on legislation for our future, work on legislation for the betterment of our environment and our climate. It\u2019s been a pleasure to be part of the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee that has tracked with this legislation, has moved its way through.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000257\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221cd33f16-add4-4363-a2d4-f457841a5c4c\u0022\u003EI want to say a huge thankyou, this afternoon, to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for their hard work, as well as the Ministry for the Environment, but particularly\u2014and I know that the Hon Minister David Clark said earlier that he wanted to thank the principal policy adviser Geoff Connor. Now, Geoff Connor was a champion of this piece of legislation. He walked us, guided us, pushed back, encouraged, and explained all those tiny and huge questions we had. Geoff is now retired, with this piece of legislation as part of his legacy and the work that he\u2019s done. So thank you to Geoff Connor for the work that you did for us in this piece of legislation.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000258\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00221cd33f16-add4-4363-a2d4-f457841a5c4c\u0022\u003EBut I\u2019m really grateful today that this legislation ensures that our financial organisations disclose and that they take action against climate-related risks and opportunities. Now, the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand said, \u201CNew Zealand retail investors want climate clarity\u201D\u2014want climate clarity\u2014and this piece of legislation gives that clarity. So, as a member of the select committee, I\u2019m grateful to the work that we did, the work that this House did, the work that our Ministers have done, and I am glad that we\u2019re the first country in the world to bring this into law, and on that, I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022 data-id=\u0022f19ee521912847caace74b321cd95582\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000259\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f19ee521912847caace74b321cd95582\u0022\u003EANGIE WARREN-CLARK (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. Again, I am delighted, as well as my colleague Glen Bennett, to stand and take a call on this bill. I wasn\u2019t a member of the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee; however, I will say that I have had the pleasure of working with the Hon James Shaw on climate change legislation and I know how complex it gets. So I do acknowledge his expertise, as well as the Hon David Clark for the work that he has done on this bill, to bring it to the House and to get it through in what is, I guess, an extremely important area for us all. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000260\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003EWhen I read this legislation I thought about climate change and I thought about what I, as a person, could do to support the elimination of climate change or the changing so that we don\u2019t get past that 1.5 degrees heating. And one of the things is, if I am lucky enough to have funding or lucky enough to have money to invest, I\u2019d like to know where that money goes. I\u2019d like to know that it\u2019s ethical. I\u2019d like to know that, perhaps, when I put that money into something that it isn\u2019t going to disappear with stranded assets or, shall we say, go into something that I think is perhaps now no longer a useful investment, but also for me, perhaps, something that I\u2019m not happy to invest in morally or ethically as well. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000261\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e60c1237-5e2d-4d0a-9678-ab10db67d1b7\u0022\u003ESo what this bill does is it makes it really clear, makes it really transparent, that large banks, large insurers, large managers of managed investment schemes will disclose where they\u2019re investing and what they\u2019re investing in. So the information is going to be consistent, comparable, reliable, and clear. It\u2019s going to tell us where that money\u2019s going and it is going to be a great tool to change the way that we think about our money and we think about our investments. I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022ff1ad5a3-e02a-4ffe-a961-ef69bdaee1c9\u0022 data-id=\u00224632f7160577429597225a54b6cb005f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000262\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff1ad5a3-e02a-4ffe-a961-ef69bdaee1c9\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00224632f7160577429597225a54b6cb005f\u0022\u003EDr JAMES McDOWALL (ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Well, thank you, Mr Speaker, and sorry to spoil the party. I\u2019ll just take a very short call on this, the Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. There have been a lot of regulations and mandatory regimes passed very recently in this House, and this one looks like an accountant that went and got a marketing degree!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000263\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff1ad5a3-e02a-4ffe-a961-ef69bdaee1c9\u0022\u003EThe troubling thing\u2014one of the troubling things\u2014is the significant costs this could bring to business. And with that, obviously, mitigating emissions and looking after the environment, and reducing externalities for business, is the right thing to do and it\u2019s important, and transparency on that is important, and consumers will demand it, but responsiveness does not require costly and highly prescriptive legislation like this. I don\u2019t even know if this would be illegal under the Plain Language Bill, to be honest! So, look, this is, potentially, micromanaged greenwashing.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000264\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022ff1ad5a3-e02a-4ffe-a961-ef69bdaee1c9\u0022\u003EAnd the final thing I\u2019ll add on this is that I\u2019m afraid the National Party\u2019s stance on this has just been totally confusing. They\u2019ve given, in every reading of this bill, speeches in total opposition. I\u2019m still waiting for them to actually say something positive about it other than the fact that they\u2019re apparently supporting it. So, yeah, totally confusing! But, anyway, as I said, sorry to spoil the party, but we\u2019re opposing it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022 data-id=\u00227d70a1affce747918adcf4634524b469\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000265\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227d70a1affce747918adcf4634524b469\u0022\u003ET\u0100MATI COFFEY (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. Oh, what a day. It\u2019s a good day to chuck my support in behind this bill, the Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. Can I say that this comes at a time when the nation is very concerned about climate change, about the impacts that it\u2019s going to have\u2014but, more than that, actually, plenty of businesses are, too. Lots of businesses are understanding that, actually, making sure that we are looking after the environment is everything; that, actually, consumers demand consideration of the effects of climate change and how businesses are going to be able to help in that. Businesses that have picked that up and run with it are actually seeing the benefits of that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000266\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EWhat this bill does is it responds to some of those concerns that we as a country, we as a globe, have when it comes to our climate. In fact, we\u2019ve declared a climate emergency. What this bill is, initially, it is a first in the world. It is the kind of bill that is going to require the financial sector to disclose the impacts of climate change on their business but, more importantly, how they are going to do that.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000267\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00226590faa0-f76b-4386-84f3-9b06296cc772\u0022\u003EAs I said before, this isn\u2019t something new. This is something that plenty of businesses have had to grapple with, as well. I thank all of those people that presented their submissions to the committee, that were carefully considered. This bill is still going to pass. This is a good thing. For that reason, I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000268\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022ab9c4e12b8a74e1d9def259227352a2e\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: Members, this is a split call. I call the Hon Scott Simpson\u2014five minutes.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022 data-id=\u0022f9d35aa47f7a4cc282546a266ca11fcc\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000269\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f9d35aa47f7a4cc282546a266ca11fcc\u0022\u003EHon SCOTT SIMPSON (National\u2014Coromandel):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. Listening to Government members, and particularly the Minister, one would have thought that this was epitome of the Prime Minister\u2019s climate change emergency declaration and it was the most important step towards her generation\u2019s nuclear-free moment. But once you scrape aside the excited rhetoric coming from Government MPs, and particularly the Minister and even the climate change Minister himself, what\u2019s left is actually a small, worthy step forward in climate change legislation, but it\u2019s not the great panacea that has been painted by speakers in this debate, either this third reading or earlier stages as this bill has progressed through the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000270\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003ESo on this side of the House we are supporting it, but we are acknowledging that it is just a very, very small step, because it actually doesn\u2019t change anything in terms of climate action. This is a Government that speaks a big game about climate action and delivers almost nothing. In fact, the Minister is on his way to Glasgow very shortly, and I\u2019m sure he will be using this as an opportunity to say, \u201CLook, New Zealand is doing its piece, it\u2019s doing our bit, we\u2019re doing what we should\u2014what we said we would do.\u201D Well, actually, if this is all he\u2019s got to wave around, then it will be worthy of Greta Thunberg\u2019s further\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000271\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223bb1dc03d65a4b6eab1fcf51e71c7a5d\u0022\u003EStuart Smith\u003C/span\u003E: Admonishment?\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000272\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00225b499a18a60343d8857307a96f50157e\u0022\u003EHon SCOTT SIMPSON\u003C/span\u003E: Admonishment\u2014yes, admonishment. I was going to say something that was probably unparliamentary, but \u201Cadmonishment\u201D is a good word, Stuart Smith. \u201CAdmonishment\u201D is a good word. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000273\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003ESo what this piece of legislation does is it actually is that small step forward to have 200\u2014just 200\u2014entities report in a consistent, regulated, measured way the risks relating to the investments that they have in terms of climate impacts. Now, that\u2019s of itself, not a bad thing, but it\u2019s a very small step in the right direction. But it is a part of an evolution in accounting practices, and it\u2019s not too dissimilar to the changes in accounting practices that occurred in years gone by in terms of triple bottom line reporting, when businesses started taking into account environmental aspects in their business practices in the way that they reported to shareholders and stakeholders and indeed to customers. And it\u2019s also not dissimilar in a way to the changes that occurred in the last few decades around accredited third-party standardisation of a range of factors in business\u2014the International Organization for Standardization accreditation programme, and I can remember being involved in businesses that went through those programmes. It wasn\u2019t so much because, initially, the business wanted to do; it was because our customers and stakeholders and shareholders wanted us to do it. An earlier speaker actually made mention of that. So that will be a prime driver. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000274\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003EWhat we have seen in other countries is that it\u2019s actually often business that leads climate action. That\u2019s certainly been the case in the United Kingdom, where they\u2019ve had the equivalent of our zero-carbon legislation for more than a dozen years now. And any analysis of that legislation in the United Kingdom shows that actually it\u2019s not parliamentarians passing pieces of legislation that actually goes to make change in the commercial and business world; it\u2019s actually the business sector itself, being encouraged by their customers, by their stakeholders, and by their shareholders that will be leading the call for clear, consistent reporting of what they are doing as a business in terms of their climate action, or inaction, and what the risk or opportunities might be for them as a commercial entity. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000275\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002298dbeffa-e059-49d5-8bbf-579cbaead9a3\u0022\u003ESo on this side of the House we are supporting this piece of legislation. We think that it is a small step in the right direction, but not the silver bullet that the Minister or the climate change Minister, James Shaw, would be wanting to make it out to be in terms of his trip to Glasgow and his attendance at COP26 in the very near future. So a small but worthy step in the right direction, nothing to be jumping all around and joining hands and singing \u201CKumbaya\u201D about, but a step in the right direction none the less.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022 data-id=\u00228e1219b16c0f4412bb27d602c25af04d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000276\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00228e1219b16c0f4412bb27d602c25af04d\u0022\u003ETANGI UTIKERE (Labour\u2014Palmerston North):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Mr Speaker. Happy to rise and take a call, in a sense in support of the Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. I was not a member of the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee that considered this particular bill, but I do note that I have had an opportunity to speak on the first reading, second reading, and now third reading of the bill. What it does is seek to make some amendments to three pieces of legislation that currently exist. And, when I reflect right back to the genesis, in terms of that first reading contribution, the focus is around businesses being able to look and report some of those non-financial aspects that are so important, I\u2019m sure, to them but also to us and the position that we have globally looking out as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000277\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003EAs the Minister has said, this will assist us on our journey on getting to a net zero carbon emission target by 2050. And I guess, you know, we can hear the contributions from members opposite; the reality is that this a new business as usual. This is a new business as usual opportunity in that there is some good work that is being done. Already, there is good work being done in this space, in terms of our NGO sector, and the natural progression, of course, is in terms of our business sector and the opportunities that will be presented as a result of that as well.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000278\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002262ff759d-9586-405a-a6e6-208ad65adeb5\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s pleasing to see that, with the select committee process and then with the Supplementary Order Paper process as part of the committee of the whole House, this bill in its current form at third reading does provide an opportunity to, I guess, express in a positive way some of the changes that were considered as appropriate by the committee. I do think that the end result is a tidy bill that, I\u2019m hopeful, will pass its third reading. On that basis, I\u2019m happy to lend my support to it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022 data-id=\u0022c2cac72a14b64ae393313c3ea4e7c35a\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000279\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c2cac72a14b64ae393313c3ea4e7c35a\u0022\u003ESTUART SMITH (National\u2014Kaik\u014Dura):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is a pleasure to speak on the third reading of the Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000280\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EI do want to start out, though, by actually referencing Mr Shaw\u2019s speech, where he alluded to National breaking the bipartisan approach to climate change, which is absolutely false. In fact, I wouldn\u2019t have mentioned it otherwise, but it was at my instigation that the National Party actually got a look at the climate change report before it came out. It was never offered\u2014so much for a bipartisan approach. I had to actually seek a meeting with James Shaw to get a look at that report before it went out, which I think was pretty poor form, actually. Well, you know, no surprises, I suppose. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000281\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EBut there\u2019s been so much made of this by the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, who, I\u2019d have to say, has in the last couple of days seemed to have found a new lease on life. Dr Clark\u2014his enthusiasm to take up the full 10 minutes and almost filibuster on every bill he\u2019s spoken on is in stark contrast to the other members on that side of the House, who, if they make two minutes, it is actually quite a record. But, anyway, we\u2019ll give him marks for enthusiasm\u2014that\u2019s great. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EThis bill is important, but the importance has been over-exaggerated quite significantly by quite some margin. I think Scott Simpson said it was a small step. I would describe it as one small step for New Zealand, but a giant leap in terms of PR and spin. It will have limited effect, if any, on climate change. This is actually all about having something for James Shaw and the New Zealand Government to announce at Glasgow, rather than anything that will make a material difference along the way. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000283\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EThere were some significant issues for this bill that we could have tidied up. But, unfortunately, the Government members didn\u2019t support those, and I think the Hon Todd McClay made a very good point about those businesses that don\u2019t actually have an exposure to climate change or any effect in their business, by either their ownership of property that might be exposed to sea-level rise or flood risk, or their investments and other matters that qualify under the bill. But by virtue of their size, they have to report. By virtue of that requirement, they may have to do some needless reporting. We don\u2019t know what the reporting is, because we have to wait and see what the External Reporting Board is going to come up with. What is going to be the requirement, we don\u2019t know. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000284\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003ESo we pointed out a few of those issues in the committee of the whole House yesterday, but, instead, we\u2019re rushing this through. Quite clearly, perhaps, Mr Shaw is off to the airport at the moment, with his other 19 or so comrades that are off to Glasgow. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000285\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EBut the reporting standard procedures are important and we should have known about those. I think that businesses will move in this space as fast as their customers demand, as fast as their competitors move\u2014or perhaps a little faster if they see an advantage in it\u2014and as fast as their investors will demand. All those forces are already in play, and businesses, if they are successful in any way\u2014and all these businesses are, or most of them, anyway\u2014are very aware of that every day. A lot of these businesses are financial institutions and insurance companies, and all of those entities are in the business of measuring and assessing risk every day. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000286\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003EThis is just another risk. It\u2019s a very important risk, but it is a risk, and to actually package this as a giant step forward in the battle against climate change, I think, is a huge exaggeration. It doesn\u2019t serve any other purpose other than to give the Minister and the New Zealand Government something to trumpet at COP26 in a couple of weeks, when we really should have been doing stuff. They declared a climate emergency and have done anything but act with urgency in this space, and New Zealand\u2019s emissions, which were tracking down under National, have gone up significantly ever since they took over as Government in 2017. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000287\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022094b0ff4-e404-451b-b4a9-ad12bd4dee56\u0022\u003ESo with that, it\u2019s a qualified commendation towards the House. Thank you. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002227535d92-0798-4e04-be80-9e91b53610e2\u0022 data-id=\u00222dcdfd5f1d0e41bfb3c70523b5c55357\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000288\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227535d92-0798-4e04-be80-9e91b53610e2\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222dcdfd5f1d0e41bfb3c70523b5c55357\u0022\u003ERACHEL BROOKING (Labour):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Mr Speaker. I\u2019m delighted to be the final speaker on this third reading of the Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. Like some of the speakers before me, I\u2019ve spoken on all three readings of this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000289\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227535d92-0798-4e04-be80-9e91b53610e2\u0022\u003EI recall, in my first speech, expressing some sadness that the bill wasn\u2019t being referred to the Environment Committee. The previous speaker, Stuart Smith, said in reply that it was appropriate that it went to the Economic Development, Science, and Innovation Committee. I\u2019m sure that that is right, but why I thought it would have been a good idea to go to the Environment Committee\u2014although we are very busy\u2014is that, of course, this bill is about climate change, and climate change is something very important for both New Zealand, the Pacific, and the world.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000290\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227535d92-0798-4e04-be80-9e91b53610e2\u0022\u003EThis bill deals with both mitigation and adaptation, and that is through the standards that are looking for risks\u2014so, really, that adaptation-thinking around climate change\u2014and for opportunities, so the mitigation part of it. So it is a great bill that I\u2019m very happy to be speaking on. Like many of the previous speakers have said, we need to tackle climate change in many and varied ways, and this is one of those many and varied ways. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000291\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227535d92-0798-4e04-be80-9e91b53610e2\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ve heard from the Opposition\u2014from National, at least\u2014that it sounds like they want to do much more in terms of climate change, and, I think, in both mitigation and adaptation. That brings me great joy. I\u2019m very happy for National in the Opposition to be so ambitious around climate change, and I really look forward to more bipartisan movement in that direction.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000292\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002227535d92-0798-4e04-be80-9e91b53610e2\u0022\u003EWhat this bill does is it really focuses companies on their reporting requirements. How companies often work is that when you require them to report on something, then that means that they really pay some attention to it and it incentivises change. In this case, it is also useful that we\u2019re pricing, really, the risks and opportunities. It is true to say that many assets won\u2019t hold their value in a low-carbon world, and so we need to look to incentivise these opportunities. So for those reasons, I\u2019m happy to commend this bill to the House. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022d4e45bb77afb46889efaced67dbdbc36\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 Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 110\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 65; New Zealand National 33; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati M\u0101ori 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 10\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EACT New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000293\u0022\u003EBill read a third time.\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=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000294\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubjectHeading\u0022 id=\u0022632a905fa3544e40968f539dee3bf65d\u0022\u003ERegional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Legislation Bill\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000295\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsSubproceedingHeading\u0022 id=\u0022403d242873ab4caea8470507c03795ec\u0022\u003EThird Reading\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022 data-id=\u00227cc27c3c929e4739b27960b821921cc0\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000296\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00227cc27c3c929e4739b27960b821921cc0\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI (Minister of Justice)\u003C/span\u003E on behalf of the Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth: I present a legislative statement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Legislation Bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000297\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a434482b-7ac1-4862-9ce7-13e63289dee3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022dff1c79bc7c64a1299463d89716c4eb1\u0022\u003EDEPUTY SPEAKER\u003C/span\u003E: That legislative statement is published under the authority of the House and can be found on the Parliament website.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000298\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00221af6ea12357948eca134cbddf010d928\u0022\u003EHon KRIS FAAFOI\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I move, That the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Legislation Bill be now read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000299\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EIt is a pleasure to speak on behalf of our trade Minister in support of the RCEP Legislation Bill. The bill has undergone the scrutiny of the parliamentary process. Its first reading was in May of this year, followed by its extensive examination by the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee. At the second reading, last month, the select committee recommended that the bill proceed without any amendments, and earlier this week the committee of the whole House made one minor, technical amendment. The Government would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the development of this bill since its inception\u2014from members of Parliament, select committee members, members of the public, civil society, and business representatives. The wide participation in the development of any bill is important, and even more so with this bill given the Trade for All agenda of the Government.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000300\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EThis bill is required for New Zealand to meet its commitments under the RCEP agreement, and most of our obligations are met through existing legal frameworks and policies, with only a small number of legislative amendments required. Therefore, this bill is an omnibus bill that amends three areas: the Tariff Act of 1988 and the tariff and Customs and Excise Acts of 2018.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000301\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EBeing part of RCEP is important to New Zealand for a number of reasons, but first we consider the broader environment in which RCEP and this bill sit. Across the world, before the pandemic, we were already experiencing an unsettled and unpredictable international environment. There was great pressure on the trading system, with growing protectionism, increases in non-trade tariff barriers to trade, and more overt geopolitical rivalries at play. Now, COVID-19 has impacted us all and, for our businesses, it has created great uncertainty, disrupting supply chains and creating difficulties for exporters. The pandemic has brought home to us the importance of being a champion for international trade and seeking economic cooperation. Against this backdrop, RCEP is important as it will bring real, direct commercial benefits to New Zealanders and companies.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000302\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EThe 15 RCEP parties, when looked at collectively, represent almost a third of the world\u2019s population, and for New Zealand, RCEP includes seven of our top trading partners. RCEP parties already take over half of New Zealand\u2019s total exports and provide more than half of our direct foreign investment. Pre - COVID-19 trade had been flourishing, with New Zealand exporting more than $36 billion worth of goods to RCEP economies and nearly $12 billion worth of services. The RCEP region will continue to grow in importance for the prosperity and security of New Zealanders. While India\u2019s withdrawal from RCEP negotiations in late 2019 was disappointing, a fast-track accession process remains. Should it wish to re-join in the future, it can, and India continues to be of great importance to New Zealand and we greatly value the relationship with it. New Zealand will continue to broaden and deepen the political, cultural, and economic links that we enjoy with India.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000303\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ERCEP is expected to increase trade flows in the Indo-Pacific. Some of RCEP\u2019s tangible benefits will come from providing tariff reductions and removals, new investment opportunities, and new export markets. There are many notable gains in services and investment. China and the largest Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries have made investment market access commitments to New Zealand for the very first time. And RCEP sees the strong benefits for our goods and exports by including provisions to address non-tariff barriers, such as expectations for customs administrators to the release of perishable goods within six hours. But RCEP\u2019s benefits primarily come from the single set of trade rules that streamline export requirements, provide greater certainty, and enable higher business confidence. All of these contribute to an improved environment to facilitate trade. These common frameworks will help ensure that New Zealand business becomes part of the wider supply-chain networks within the Indo-Pacific region.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000304\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EAgainst the commercial and strategic benefits of RCEP, it is also important to consider the implications of New Zealand not joining the agreement. In this case, New Zealand exporters may be excluded from regional supply chains, representing lost opportunities for New Zealand. Modelling indicates that New Zealand\u2019s GDP would be about 0.2 percent lower, or $900 million, if RCEP proceeded without New Zealand as a part of it. Conversely, once RCEP is fully in effect, New Zealand\u2019s annual GDP will be between 0.3 and 0.6 percent larger as a result of the agreement, and that amounts to between $1.5 billion to $3.2 billion in annual GDP. As we can see, the trade effects of RCEP will be material, and these economic benefits are not just concentrated on a few exporters, but half of New Zealand jobs come from the tradable sector. And, over that time, the economic benefit to New Zealand from these changes will be considerable.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000305\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EA second major benefit of RCEP is its strategic significance for New Zealand and the region. The Indo-Pacific is of critical importance to New Zealand, and we have strong people links across the region, visible in the make-up of our multicultural society. It is also the location of all of our current free-trade agreements, from bilateral agreements and arrangements with individual economies to larger ones like this one before us today. At RCEP\u2019s core is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The agreement has been ASEAN-led and demonstrates that ASEAN is committed to ongoing regional economic integration, and New Zealand is committed to the objective. Joining RCEP ensures that we will be at the table where decisions affecting our interests will be taken. It reinforces our place in the region and sends an important signal of New Zealand\u2019s openness to trade and commitment to the rules-based international trading system. As is in the name, RCEP is a regional comprehensive economic partnership. It provides the framework for increasing economic integration at a time when trends of protectionism are rising. It demonstrates that Governments, even in challenging times, are able to compromise, engage for cooperation, and provide commitments to each other. And these commitments in the trade and economic sector space also bolster New Zealand\u2019s ability to engage on the political and security issues that matter to our region.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000306\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EThis leads to the third major benefit from RCEP and its contribution to the recovery of New Zealand and the region from the COVID-19 pandemic. When implemented fully, RCEP will become the largest trade agreement in the world. Given the difficulties of COVID-19 and the challenges for the international trading system, this achievement cannot be underestimated. Right from the beginning of the pandemic, New Zealand moved quickly to keep supply chains open for essential imports, reduce trade barriers, maintain connectivity, and keep air links open while shipping constraints continued. And, as the pandemic continues, New Zealand\u2019s response has adapted. We know that trade is a key driver for prosperity, and that is why enabling trade is a key part of our recovery strategy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000307\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003EThe trade-focused support has three main pillars: retooling support for exporters, refreshing the international trade architecture, and reenergising and refocusing our key trade relationships. New Zealand businesses and exporters, in particular, have been facing challenging times, but we\u2019ve also seen how resilient they can be when the situation is up against them. The Government recognises this, and our commitment to RCEP is part of our response. RCEP will create more security and certainty for New Zealand exporters, forming a relatively more predictable trading environment for our companies. It is in this context of the challenging trade environment that diverse and robust trade relationships are more important than ever. They\u2019re important for the resilience of our supply chains and for the economic prosperity of New Zealand and our region.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000308\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002290ea1538-43e8-4257-bd80-df3ccd1e5f27\u0022\u003ELastly, RCEP is an important trade agreement for New Zealand as it protects our right to regulate for legitimate public policy purposes. New Zealand\u2019s standard exception for the Treaty of Waitangi has been included, and RCEP does not include provisions for investor-State dispute settlements. We retain the ability, for example, to screen investment in sensitive land and assets and regulate for legitimate reasons such as in the interests of health, the environment, labour, and for security. And RCEP preserves rights that New Zealand holds close. New Zealand\u2019s participation in RCEP shows that, when New Zealand pursues trade, it does it not just for our own sake; it is a means to an end because, done well, we know that trade can lift the living standards of New Zealanders and secure the future prosperity of our country. In such turbulent times, it is important that New Zealand continues to lead the way as a responsible, proactive, and engaged global participant. This bill will enable New Zealand to ratify RCEP and be part of the agreement and to see the benefits from it. I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022 data-id=\u00229f874d3cc99d443d9a413ec0c9f7fcd9\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000309\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00229f874d3cc99d443d9a413ec0c9f7fcd9\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean)\u003C/span\u003E: The question is that the motion be agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002293272d4e-6912-4148-8b35-c9622e18b814\u0022 data-id=\u0022bf9903e4e6a5445d9eb54dcaa3853367\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000310\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002293272d4e-6912-4148-8b35-c9622e18b814\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022bf9903e4e6a5445d9eb54dcaa3853367\u0022\u003ENICOLA GRIGG (National\u2014Selwyn):\u003C/span\u003E Today is a great day for New Zealand\u2019s traders and exporters, particularly in light of the announcement of the signing of an agreement in principle with the UK. It is only right that we in this House acknowledge the work here by the Minister Damien O\u2019Connor and his officials. I\u2019m sure, though, he would also acknowledge the work of the National Party and the former Ministers like Todd McClay and Tim Groser and the platform that they laid since negotiations began in 2016. So to Minister O\u2019Connor and his officials, who I\u2019m sure are all listening, it\u2019s been a long road, but, ultimately, they have signed an unprecedented deal, and we are glad that they have taken the time to serve up a comprehensive agreement, and we offer our congratulations to them. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000311\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002293272d4e-6912-4148-8b35-c9622e18b814\u0022\u003EWe are, however, here today to talk about the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and for our Parliament to ratify this deal and bring its implementation one step closer. In opening up access to 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, RCEP will bring tremendous opportunities to manufacturers and producers across the country. It will cover trade in goods, trade in services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement, and other issues. It also recognises ASEAN\u2019s centrality in the emerging regional economic architecture and the interests of ASEAN\u2019s free-trade agreement (FTA) partners. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000312\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002293272d4e-6912-4148-8b35-c9622e18b814\u0022\u003EWhile RCEP, though, is a good step forward, when we hear what was negotiated with the UK and the scale that that opportunity brings, it pales in comparison. New Zealand already has FTAs with RCEP members but was able to achieve new market access into Indonesia with a range of our products. It\u2019s a solid agreement, but it\u2019s not spectacular. It will be supported by the National Party, but India needs to be included in this membership and we need to keep at it and bring India in. It is, after all, a $2.8 trillion economy and the world\u2019s second largest population. India, by the way, is now wishing to conclude a comprehensive FTA with Australia, which it began negotiating in 2011, and likewise, the UK is now pushing an agenda.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000313\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002293272d4e-6912-4148-8b35-c9622e18b814\u0022\u003ERCEP\u2019s conclusion without India means New Zealand needs to start applying far more effort on improving our trade position with that country. Since the last National Government, this Government has engaged in almost no ministerial engagement with India. It was both illuminating and disappointing to have heard that from Meka Whaitiri in this House during the committee of the whole the other night. Her representations indicated there is seemingly no urgency from this Government. That needs to change if we\u2019re going to land an FTA with them as a priority.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000314\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002293272d4e-6912-4148-8b35-c9622e18b814\u0022\u003ERCEP is less comprehensive and ambitious than the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership but is none the less useful in that it brings together a number of New Zealand\u2019s key trading partners. As I\u2019ve mentioned, there was some additional market access to Indonesia and the agreement on the clearance of perishable goods will be welcome to our exporters. In a world of rising protectionism, it\u2019s heartening to know or to assume, at least, that the ratification of this deal will be supported by member states and political parties here in New Zealand, with the notable exception of the Green Party. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000315\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002293272d4e-6912-4148-8b35-c9622e18b814\u0022\u003ECurrently, we export $82 billion in goods and services every year and trade supports 600,000 jobs in New Zealand. That\u2019s partly due to our country\u2019s liberalised trade agenda, but also to the agility and ambition of our exporters, particularly our primary producers. If its intention is achieved, RCEP will promote economic integration, establish a consistent framework of rules, and increase market access for world-class goods and services that we produce here. That opportunity will come with the RCEP agreement. It\u2019s expected to significantly reduce complexity and compliance costs for exporters through a single rulebook that covers all 15 markets.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000316\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002293272d4e-6912-4148-8b35-c9622e18b814\u0022\u003ERCEP\u2019s entry into force will occur 60 days after the date on which at least three non-ASEAN signatories and six ASEAN signatories have notified their intention to ratify. New Zealand will join Japan and China as three non-ASEAN signatories who have completed their domestic processes, and several other ASEAN members are reported to be very close. The National Party welcomes the ratification of this deal, 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=\u002235ec047c2d204225b23dba7670884c24\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000317\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002235ec047c2d204225b23dba7670884c24\u0022\u003EDr DUNCAN WEBB (Labour\u2014Christchurch Central):\u003C/span\u003E Oh, well, that was a great speech, great reading, there. Next week, she\u2019ll be on to chapter books. But, look, this is a great bill, and it is just another step forward and part of the response to COVID, because we know that trade is such an important part of our response to COVID, led by our primary industries. And, as was noted, it is a largely Pacific partnership, but India is an important part of the picture. We look forward to, hopefully, opening negotiations with India on that fast-track process referred to by Minister Kris Faafoi.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000318\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EThe other thing to note is this is yet another example where the Treaty of Waitangi has been recognised as a protected part of New Zealand\u2019s law and that the New Zealand Government is permitted, under this Treaty, to do things which would otherwise be in breach of free-trade agreements, because the Treaty is given precedence, and that\u2019s a great feature emerging out of our trade negotiations, and, of course, another piece of the puzzle, along with the free-trade agreement that has been agreed in principle with the UK.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000319\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022f7fc7ac3-5ce1-43ca-8cd6-dbb0941bf3ae\u0022\u003EWe look forward to our borders being opened up to much more free-flowing trade in the future and a strong economic recovery led by this Government. Kia ora, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022 data-id=\u0022073fa254a8284440bb870b896af39472\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000320\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022073fa254a8284440bb870b896af39472\u0022\u003EHon TODD McCLAY (National\u2014Rotorua):\u003C/span\u003E It\u2019s a very important piece of legislation; you wouldn\u2019t assume so\u2014anybody listening in\u2014from the way that Duncan Webb just started his speech. He\u2019s lucky he is an MP, because as a comedian he would be actually looking for the wage subsidy! The reason I say that is that this House hasn\u2019t had enough opportunity to celebrate high-quality trade deals in the four years that Labour has been in Government. This is the first one, actually, that really has been concluded that has had any real negotiation by the Government\u2014or that was started before they were there. The other one, of course, was that one that they campaigned against and held signs against\u2014the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)\u2014and they changed the name and then accepted it when they came to Government. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000321\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EI\u2019m glad that the vast majority of members of the House support this, because New Zealand is a trading nation\u2014600,000 jobs; all of the produce that is made, manufactured, and grown in New Zealand. We are not a country that is wealthy, and without good access to foreign markets, we would be much, much poorer for it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000322\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EWe\u2019ll hear in this debate, as we did in other stages, that the agreement could have been more, and in some areas probably should have been, but we\u2019ll recognise how challenging it is to negotiate a multilateral agreement, as this is, across a number of countries. The very good news is, although we haven\u2019t heard it from members opposite, that the majority of the members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), we already have trade agreements with, many of which are better than this\u2014some of the TPP members, the ASEAN countries, and so on. But every piece of agreement negotiated that actually moves New Zealand forward, opens a door\u2014even if it is only slightly\u2014for New Zealand exporters, gives them assurance, and creates a rules-based system, is worthwhile.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000323\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EI want to caution, though, those who trade with India and have listened to the debate, the Minister previously in earlier stages, and then members of the Government now, when they talk about India. They say they want to welcome India back to a fast-track system; it will not happen. The reason it will not happen is because, actually, the only way that New Zealand will have a trade deal with India of any worth is a bilateral one. There have been many, many negotiating rounds, because there is a trade agreement with India on the table. It is a bilateral agreement. It is not an agreement with many other countries involved. It is not the TPP. It is not RCEP. It is a bilateral trade agreement. There will be more than nine rounds. It is very difficult and very heavy going. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000324\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EThat is now where the Government should put its effort and its emphasis: a bilateral agreement with India. The reason for that is: if India was to come back to RCEP, we would get some gains, but they will not be the same gains as we get as a bilateral agreement. When we hear that they are looking towards the UK, India, and Australia, it would be extremely bad for our exporters if Australia or the UK had a trade agreement with India before New Zealand does. So it is one thing to say, \u201CWell it\u2019s a shame they\u2019ve gone away.\u201D, as the Minister said, reading his speech in a previous debate, \u201CThe door is open for India\u201D. We\u2019re not a large country. An economy like that does not need a trade deal with New Zealand, as few countries in the world do. The only way we\u2019ve ever had trade deals presented to us is from Ministers getting on planes, or Zooms at the moment, and going and continuing to return and make the case of why a high-quality free-trade agreement (FTA) bilaterally is good for both sides.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000325\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EThat is why there was a FTA announced in principle with the United Kingdom today, because when the UK announced that they were looking to leave the European Union, do you know who the first country to turn up there was? It was New Zealand\u2014New Zealand Ministers. And New Zealand Ministers went again and again and again to make the case, as they had, under the previous Government, to the European Union\u2014spent more time overseas than in New Zealand, in the interests of New Zealand exporters, to make sure we got a free-trade deal with the UK, because every single country was knocking on their door. So today is a good day for New Zealand exporters and it is a good day for New Zealand consumers, for New Zealand workers, and for our economy, because a deal that was started under the previous Government and has continued under this Government with the United Kingdom has been landed. It won\u2019t be perfect, but it is a very good step forward. The next one has to be the European Union and then, finally, the Government should also be able to do two things at once: they should be talking to India and putting every single effort in they can.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000326\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EAs far as RCEP\u2019s concerned, I am very pleased that Indonesia is part of this. New Zealand started a trade dispute formally with Indonesia, I think, in 1993, 2003/1993, with Indonesia over the export of some horticultural products, particularly fresh vegetables and beef. Our exporters were treated very badly. Our beef exports to Indonesia were about, sometimes, second highest of any country. They diminished quite, quite significantly because of barriers that Indonesia put in place. We took the issue to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and, at every step of the way, the WTO found in our favour. What this agreement now means is we have a rules-based system\u2014as well as the WTO, which doesn\u2019t always work effectively well and is very slow\u2014to address concerns we might have with a country like Indonesia. I had the opportunity to visit there a number of times, as trade Minister, to make the case to allow them to, you know, let our beef come back in there. It is a country of younger people who are starting to get educations, who will grow in wealth very, very quickly\u2014maybe not the same wealth we see in other trading nations of Europe and so on, but it will grow quickly. It is a very large population. They will want the protein, the goods, and some of the services that we produce in New Zealand, and they will want them in abundance. We will only be able to rely upon Indonesia as a market, so that New Zealand companies will invest effort and time and the resource into growing relationships with other companies in Indonesia, if there is a fair rules-based system to be applied there. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000327\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EIf the WTO hadn\u2019t worked as well for us, or as quickly as we\u2019d wanted, RCEP is a step in that direction. But I would encourage the Government and the Minister to do much, much more in this space. We are only as good as our last trade deal. We now have a new one today which is better than RCEP, because it was bilateral, started by the National Government, continued and finished by a Labour Government. It is good for New Zealand. That Minister now must use the UK agreement as the framework, as the benchmark, as the minimum that he seeks from other countries. The negotiation with the European Union must be as good as the UK one, otherwise we have missed an opportunity with the EU. As far as India is concerned, it is a very good place to start with that negotiation, because when the UK goes to India and says, \u201CWe want a free-trade deal as well.\u201D, they will talk about the deal they got with New Zealand. As a starting point, we should do the same thing. If this Government can deliver a high-quality deal with the European Union and with India in the last two years before the election, they will have done a good thing for New Zealand exporters, they will have done a good thing for the New Zealand economy, and the country, our exporters, would start to forgive them for the hollow protest they made over TPP for many years, holding up signs saying that it was a bad deal, and the moment they got to Government, they changed one word in the name and they accepted it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000328\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EThe final point I\u2019d make to the last speaker, Dr Duncan Webb, is around the Treaty of Waitangi clause. It is good that it is there, but the Government shouldn\u2019t take responsibility for that, because it has been in every single deal that New Zealand has signed for some period of time. Irrespective of the Government, when we go through a negotiation, we explain our special position when it comes to meeting obligations under the Treaty. It doesn\u2019t give us the opportunity to break free-trade deals, but it does give us the opportunity, in our own way, to meet any obligation we may have through the Treaty. It has been negotiated in all those deals and should be in future. It is a good thing it is there. It is not a surprising thing it is there, because, actually, it now becomes a mainstay of the agreement New Zealand negotiates.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000329\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c0f78f60-c2fd-46f4-8138-72f39692fc20\u0022\u003EThis is good that we are supporting this, because it is good for our exporters. It opens a door just a little bit further for us on the world stage, particularly when it comes to South-east Asia, a market of growing importance to New Zealand. But we shouldn\u2019t rest on our laurels and congratulate ourselves too quickly or too often or too much in this House; you\u2019ve got to move on to the next trade deal, which has to be the European Union and it has to be India, and I\u2019d love to hear from the Government where to after that. Thank you.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022 data-id=\u0022f396eafa2cb04a9b870cb44f00722c75\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000330\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022f396eafa2cb04a9b870cb44f00722c75\u0022\u003EBARBARA EDMONDS (Labour\u2014Mana):\u003C/span\u003E Fakaalofa lahi atu, Madam Speaker. I just want to address a couple of the opening comments from the previous speaker that\u2019s just sat down, the Hon Todd McClay. The irony of the previous member\u2019s comments speaking around energy and alternative careers for the previous member that sat down before him\u2014perhaps if he was a greater trade Minister, he\u2019d be the trade spokesperson for the Opposition. But nevertheless, we will carry on.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000331\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003EThis bill gives effect to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Legislation Bill. As noted earlier, RCEP is a treaty-level free-trade agreement agreed by 15 countries: 10 ASEAN, as well as Australia, China, Japan, and South Korea. This bill supports the Government in our plan to be able to secure our recovery. The Government has committed to leveraging our successful COVID response to position New Zealand globally as a safe and secure place to trade with, to invest in, and\u2014eventually\u2014to visit again.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000332\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003EWe will continue to pursue high-quality and comprehensive trade agreements that diversify our trade relationships, as seen in the historic free-trade deal with the United Kingdom announced today. Once fully implemented, RCEP will be the largest trade agreement in the world, so I congratulate the Minister and his officials for getting this far.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000333\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261725fea-7d5e-4d1f-8fd3-e5779bb7a14d\u0022\u003EThe Minister acting on behalf of the Minister who is not in the House\u2014acting on behalf\u2014said in his speech, \u201CIn such turbulent times, it is important New Zealand continues to lead the way as responsible, proactive, and engaged global participants. This bill will enable New Zealand to ratify RCEP to be part of the agreement and to see benefits from this.\u201D So, on that, I support this bill, and I commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000334\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00223f74a04957134cf8b03c19c6eb335763\u0022\u003EHon Eugenie Sage\u003C/span\u003E: Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022 data-id=\u00222e7406b21c6344ca98d79bf9230b24fd\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000335\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00222e7406b21c6344ca98d79bf9230b24fd\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean)\u003C/span\u003E: Just before I take that member\u2019s call\u2014apologies to the member\u2014I just remind the member who\u2019s just resumed her seat that she does not refer to a member who is absent from the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022 data-id=\u0022047d42b9b0e44fa7abc19a54816b297f\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000336\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022047d42b9b0e44fa7abc19a54816b297f\u0022\u003EHon EUGENIE SAGE (Green):\u003C/span\u003E T\u0113n\u0101 koe, Madam Speaker. Thank you. I\u2019m pleased to take a short call for the Green Party on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Legislation Bill. I also note an element of irony that the Hon Todd McClay was talking about Ministers spending a lot of time overseas in the interests of New Zealand exporters and yet the National Party has criticised the Hon James Shaw for going overseas to represent New Zealand and get a decent climate agreement. Somehow, trade agreements are more important than climate agreements. That\u2019s certainly something I don\u2019t agree with. I also like to acknowledge Golriz Ghahraman, the Green spokesperson on global affairs and trade, in lockdown in Auckland, who would normally be speaking on this bill. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000337\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003ETo make it very clear: the Green Party supports trade. We are a small island nation. Trade is a crucial generator of our economic wellbeing. We need to import a whole heap of things that we don\u2019t manufacture here\u2014from electric vehicles to medicines, personal protective gear\u2014and we benefit from that bigger global market for the food, fibre, and other products that we produce. Half the jobs in Aotearoa New Zealand are in the tradable sector and, as the Minister noted, our trade has been really critical to New Zealand\u2019s economic performance in relation to COVID. The Greens want trade that is fair, that is inclusive, and that is sustainable. We want trade rules that protect and allow us to reinforce our climate commitments, workers\u2019 rights, human rights, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi; not agreements or trade rules which cut across those. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000338\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EThe Trade for All agenda, which the Greens have engaged with, does have a basis for a new way of negotiating these agreements, but it\u2019s unfortunate that there are very few of the principles in the Trade for All agenda which are reflected in the RCEP agreement. And it\u2019s critical that we move to that new way of negotiating agreements and the provisions in them because, as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (CPTPPA) and the massive demonstrations around the world and here in Aotearoa showed, there is no public confidence in agreements which are negotiated in secret where you\u2019ve got big corporate interests having access to the negotiators in a way that the public doesn\u2019t have, where those who aren\u2019t participating have to rely on leaked texts rather than a transparent way of negotiating. So that sort of an arrangement does not provide a basis for public confidence. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000339\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EThis RCEP agreement, which is across a region covering almost a third of the world\u2019s population and a region which takes more than half of our exports\u2014because India has withdrawn we don\u2019t get the market access there, because India saw some of the disadvantages of this agreement. The major benefits, therefore, because we already have free-trade agreements with a number of our trading partners in the region, will potentially be in the non-tariff areas\u2014areas like the more consistent rules for customs so that for our perishable products like horticultural goods, flowers, seafood, there\u2019s a commitment to move them on within six hours of being landed so that those are fresh when they go to market.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000340\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003EThe Green Party opposes this bill for a number of reasons. The type of economic growth which trade agreements have encouraged to date is not sustainable either in an environmental or a social sense. You\u2019ve got a very complex range of chapters, so there are very complex trade-offs which impact on Government. In her submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, law professor Dr Jane Kelsey quoted the Asia-Pacific arm of the International Trade Union Conference and they said of RCEP, and I quote, \u201Cthe RCEP [will] hinder our efforts to build back better after COVID-19 towards a sustainable, inclusive and resilient world by escalating the division of labour in global supply chains, privatisation of essential services, and the dominance of corporation on our governments. Public services as well as the government\u2019s ability to regulate in the interest of [our] people would be weakened. Therefore, the agreement is clearly against our prosperity in future.\u201D \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000341\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003ESo there\u2019s nothing in this agreement which guarantees any benefits to small and medium enterprise, to indigenous peoples, to women, or to workers. Yes, there is the standard Te Tiriti o Waitangi carve-out, but the Waitangi Tribunal has highlighted that that is not adequate and Government needs to go further. The Greens oppose it because there is no chapter on environmental rights. In terms of our criticisms of the CPTPPA, we criticised that because the language in it around environmental issues wasn\u2019t able to be enforced in the same way that the chapters were that protected the privileges and rights of investors. Here, Aotearoa New Zealand, when the negotiations started in 2012, did seek to include a stand-alone environment chapter but the other 15 countries\u2014there couldn\u2019t be agreement on that so there wasn\u2019t the stand-alone chapter. So we have only passing references to environmental issues. Certainly, there are some reservations to protect our ability to regulate for our own domestic environmental objectives, to manage our exclusive economic zone, conservation areas, biosecurity, and food safety, but we only have a really weak promise from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade that they will continue to seek outcomes for trade and the environment in its ongoing trade policy work across the region. No commitments to actually seek to strengthen environmental objectives and the environmental rules around trade so that we\u2019re not impacting on nature.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000342\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022e122e0e6-61c6-4d17-9a79-6ad2ac7d127e\u0022\u003ESo yes, this doesn\u2019t include the heinous investor-State dispute resolution clauses, which have been so problematic in other agreements; yes, we can still use the Overseas Investment Act to screen overseas purchases of New Zealand land and assets; but this whole thing around the investor-State dispute resolution procedures\u2014that is the only one of the Trade for All principles that has made it through into this agreement. So this whole lack of a commitment to strengthening international rules to protect nature, to protect workers\u2019 rights, to protect the rights of indigenous peoples, to better safeguard Te Tiriti o Waitangi\u2014that is missing and those are some of the reasons why the Green Party is opposing it, and, finally, because there\u2019s been no public or public sector input. Certainly, there\u2019s been an examination in retrospect by the select committee, but no public input into the negotiations, no transparency around the drafts, so no ability, really, to ensure that it was in the wider public interest, so the Greens oppose this bill.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022 data-id=\u002213b34e2ed9dd442b8e658f68031796e5\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000343\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002213b34e2ed9dd442b8e658f68031796e5\u0022\u003EBROOKE VAN VELDEN (Deputy Leader\u2014ACT):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is a pleasure to rise on behalf of the ACT Party today in support of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Legislation Bill. It is a wonderful day to speak on this particular piece of legislation, and that\u2019s because we\u2019ve heard the wonderful news of the agreement in principle between the New Zealand and UK Governments for a free-trade agreement, which would forge stronger ties with the world\u2019s fifth-largest economy.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000344\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003EI really do have to take my hat off and say that this is fantastic news. It\u2019s not often that I find myself in agreement with the Government on an issue, but on this particular issue it is excellent work. When this deal is done, we\u2019re expecting that it will boost exports by up to 40 percent and our GDP to about $1 billion. Our New Zealand farmers have helped us through the COVID recovery. It is wonderful that we have some of the finest produce in the world and that the UK will soon be able to have more of that fantastic produce, and I\u2019m glad to see our tariffs being dropped in that particular work that\u2019s been done.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000345\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003EWe are a small island nation, and we\u2019re a trading nation. ACT has always proudly been the strongest proponent of free trade in this Parliament. We welcome today\u2019s news, but we also welcome RCEP: the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and I\u2019m happy to see it being ratified. But we must ensure that this isn\u2019t the end and that we continue to strive for further liberalisation, with agreements with the European Union and the US. It\u2019s also important that we\u2019re signing these agreements and coming to agreements in principle in a time when we\u2019re seeing countries turn inward, against each other.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000346\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003EThe ACT Party believes that our foreign policy should seek to uphold the safety of our citizens, and reflect our interests and our values on the world stage. It\u2019s important that we\u2019re part of a rules-based order, because we are a small island in the Pacific and a small trading nation; we do need a rules-based order. It\u2019s important that we\u2019re part of agreements where we can help shape those rules. That\u2019s the importance of us being part of RCEP. It\u2019s important for our peace and security as a country, but it\u2019s also important for our peace and security as a region of the Asia-Pacific. That is important for the stability of the businesses, the everyday New Zealanders who get up and create jobs and opportunities for other New Zealanders right here, and that they have stability and have growth in more export markets going forward.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000347\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003EThere is a huge business benefit that comes by having more free-trade agreements and more export markets. As I say, it creates more jobs and opportunities, and, in fact, for people who may never have had them. It takes a lot of skill and effort and hard work and determination to create a business. I\u2019m proud that we\u2019re signing agreements that give those businesses more opportunities to sell their goods and also sell New Zealand on the world stage. It\u2019s good for all of us in society.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000348\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003EImportantly, regional trade agreements help for stability. In particular, they help to limit the threats that we may face from other countries\u2014other countries that may, in the future, seek to wish us harm. It sends us a message: we are part of a block of people who wish to have rules imposed that we all agree with. That is important for our stability, but it also sends the message that we\u2019re open for business and we welcome opportunities to have more interaction with other countries, and I think that\u2019s wonderful.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000349\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002266f06e7e-afa8-457f-a105-048b86a13282\u0022\u003ESo RCEP, in particular, is about 30 percent of the world\u2019s population within the countries of this agreement. That\u2019s 2.3 billion people that we can trade with and around 30 percent of the world\u2019s GDP. More than half of New Zealand\u2019s trade and foreign direct investment flows through the Asia-Pacific, so this is a huge agreement. Importantly, it provides that framework of rules, for stability, for jobs, and for growth. I commend this bill to the House, but I once again just want to say well done on the UK - New Zealand free-trade agreement. Thank you, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002217bfa49a-da49-4001-9466-0b4bfd70b3f3\u0022 data-id=\u0022c4eb5775deb8407b9c69f34f1d2acebf\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000350\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002217bfa49a-da49-4001-9466-0b4bfd70b3f3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022c4eb5775deb8407b9c69f34f1d2acebf\u0022\u003EDr EMILY HENDERSON (Labour\u2014Whang\u0101rei):\u003C/span\u003E Kia ora e te M\u0101ngai o te Whare. If I may, Madam Speaker, I would like to say to the previous speaker, Brooke van Velden: welcome aboard; if you keep going with the communal action, you may find you like it.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000351\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002217bfa49a-da49-4001-9466-0b4bfd70b3f3\u0022\u003EBut what I really want to do is congratulate the Minister for this wonderful and innovative piece of work. When I look at the history of New Zealand as an import-export country, we have been innovative from the beginning, whether it was M\u0101ori supplying the markets in New South Wales in the fledgling economy, before the Treaty was signed, to the famous 1882 refrigerated ship full of our lamb and beef.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000352\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002217bfa49a-da49-4001-9466-0b4bfd70b3f3\u0022\u003EAs the member for Whang\u0101rei, which is a primary production hotspot, and also the proud possessors of the best and deepest import port in the country, I really, truly commend the Minister for continuing to lead and innovate, as New Zealand always has, and I commend this bill to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022 data-id=\u0022ee5baad7fa5647ac9c6d8f21fa147259\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000353\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022ee5baad7fa5647ac9c6d8f21fa147259\u0022\u003EIAN McKELVIE (National\u2014Rangit\u012Bkei):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. It\u2019s a pleasure to take a call on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Legislation Bill, especially on a day, when you think about it, this RCEP\u2014really, I guess negotiations on this would have started in the early 1970s when the British booted us out. And it\u2019s ironic that the day we put this bill through its third reading is the day we sign another free-trade agreement, which really gets us back into a situation in Britain which we were last in in 1972. I find it really quite intriguing that the team that get behind these things and have done the work\u2014and I think we\u2019ve got to realise and congratulate all those people since those early 1970s who have got involved in trade negotiation, as Ministers who have got involved in the negotiations and gone around the world, working their way for New Zealand\u2014to see what we\u2019ve been able to achieve in the way of free trade agreements and other kind of trade agreements that have kept us in the market so well and so strongly. And they\u2019re to be congratulated on that because I think it\u2019s pretty special.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000354\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003ESo this is really where we got to, this bill, as a result of being thrown out of Britain or Britain entering the EEC. And one of the ironies of this that I must talk about for a minute is that if you looked at our meat industry in the early 1970s, which was probably our second biggest industry after wool\u2014of course, dairy has long since gone past that, and one or two others; well, tourism was there until last year\u2014that the meat industry in those days was largely owned by Britain. Now the biggest meat industry export market by far is China, and, interestingly, our meat industry is now, to a large extent, owned by China. So there\u2019s a bit of irony in what goes on in trade in the world. So it really points to the issues that the ACT speaker, Brooke van Velden, was raising, which is that we very much rely on rules-based trade deals, which enable us to keep our place in the world irrespective of what\u2019s going on around us. It\u2019s hugely important and it\u2019s even more important at a time like this, where getting access to markets and retaining access to those markets, and actually being able to get our product to those markets, is hugely important. So, I think it\u2019s exciting that we\u2019ve got to this point with this agreement, and we\u2019ve heard a number of people with a lot more knowledge of trade than me talking about it earlier in the evening.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000355\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003EThe countries involved in this trade agreement are very important to New Zealand, and when you think, as I said earlier, that we primarily relied on Britain in the early 1970s\u2014we\u2019re now very big in Asia. A lot of our Asian countries and friends are now our largest trading partners. One of the exciting things about this agreement is that it brings Indonesia to the fore and we end up\u2014I think Indonesia is still one of the great opportunities we\u2019ve got in Asia, and so that\u2019s quite an exciting opportunity and we need to move on with our negotiations with Indonesia. But even more importantly, I think, is the fact that India has pulled out of this agreement, and I think it was Todd McClay earlier who was talking about the importance of New Zealand getting on and negotiating some sort of trade deals with India. A huge opportunity for New Zealand, and one, when you think about it, that a lot of the requirements India have, we can satisfy. But we\u2019ve got to realise also and, of course, to satisfy those markets, that we\u2019re a very, very small part of the world market for anything. Particularly, this agreement\u2014like many of our others\u2014primarily deals in agricultural products and so it\u2019s really important that that we continue to negotiate our way through these trade agreements at the top end of the agricultural market, because we can supply about 40 million people with food. If you look at some of these countries and some of these cities, actually, they\u2019re almost that entire market.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000356\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022a6c42c44-3622-4c9c-98b8-793fb5ec15cc\u0022\u003ESo it\u2019s particularly important for New Zealand that we continue to sign these agreements. I, again, just want to congratulate all those people: the officials and our trade negotiators, who are internationally recognised as the best there is for the very reason that we heavily rely on trade to keep ourselves going. So I commend this bill to the House and I look forward to many more coming through the House as well. Thank you, Madam Speaker.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224b53c8fa-5ba4-4150-98be-dd23e49cf0bb\u0022 data-id=\u0022179f768df1f749c3bfa9ec48a87ecc41\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000357\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224b53c8fa-5ba4-4150-98be-dd23e49cf0bb\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022179f768df1f749c3bfa9ec48a87ecc41\u0022\u003EANNA LORCK (Labour\u2014Tukituki):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. What an exciting day it is to be able to rise and speak on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement at the same time as we are announcing, with the UK, a free-trade deal where, in principle, that will see the entire removal of tariffs. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000358\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224b53c8fa-5ba4-4150-98be-dd23e49cf0bb\u0022\u003EComing from a region of Hawke\u2019s Bay where it is the backbone of our regional economy\u2014trade; growing, growing export businesses\u2014I had the pleasure of meeting with the first Recognised Seasonal Employer workers to arrive in our region this week, who will be picking some of the apples that will be going to some of the existing countries that we already trade with. It is an enormous achievement, when we think that this trade deal, when it is ratified, will be the biggest one in the world, and that is something that everyone in this House can be proud of. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000359\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224b53c8fa-5ba4-4150-98be-dd23e49cf0bb\u0022\u003EIt is an exciting day, it is a special day, and I\u2019m thrilled to be able to speak on it. I commend this bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022 data-id=\u002244ce279d1efd49158754aff51feb8cd4\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000360\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u002244ce279d1efd49158754aff51feb8cd4\u0022\u003EGREG O\u2019CONNOR (Labour\u2014\u014Ch\u0101riu):\u003C/span\u003E I just want to compliment the previous speaker from the National Party, Mr McKelvie\u2014just the value of having someone with a good history in this House who is able to put things into perspective. So I congratulate you on that presentation. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000361\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EI just want to acknowledge also another group of people, particularly those sitting in Auckland who are now in, I think, their ninth week of lockdown, and it\u2019s going to be very hard for those watching up there to understand the enthusiasm we\u2019re all feeling at the moment. But perhaps they can just put this into some perspective, because one thing that COVID has taught us is the importance of supply lines, whether it be the ability to get the goods into New Zealand, whether it be the ability to get goods around New Zealand, or to manufacture here. So I think that there is an awareness of trade that may be one of the positives that will come out of this COVID we\u2019re suffering at the moment. Today, this RCEP, alongside the free-trade agreement that\u2019s been announced with the UK\u2014these all give us opportunities now to grow and, more importantly, for everyone in New Zealand to be part of. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000362\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003EAnother irony, or something we should celebrate, is we\u2019re going into Labour Weekend. Labour Weekend is where we do celebrate the labour\u2014and I think one of my colleagues pointed out that when we do thank our farmers for what they\u2019re doing, we need to also thank those that allow those farmers to do that, who are those labourers who are up at 3 or 4 o\u2019clock in the morning. So everyone not only plays a part in this; everyone stands to benefit from this. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000363\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002202e74c40-9529-4e15-adc2-c032eadc2205\u0022\u003ESo it is a good day. I think we are now looking for good news across the board and, more importantly, something we can all, as New Zealanders, celebrate. So wherever you are, whether you\u2019re stuck in your ninth week in Auckland or whether you\u2019re looking at getting up at 3 o\u2019clock in the morning to milk even more cows to produce more milk for trade, or to shear more sheep, this is a day that I think we can all be proud of and be part of, and I commend this bill to the House. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022 data-id=\u00226539bd76730f4ba5a242cc4e70b57845\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000364\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u00226539bd76730f4ba5a242cc4e70b57845\u0022\u003EBARBARA KURIGER (National\u2014Taranaki - King Country):\u003C/span\u003E Thank you, Madam Speaker. It\u2019s a real pleasure to stand and speak on this bill, and yes, it is a good day. Mr McKelvie\u2019s had a bit of praise in the last few minutes. I was sitting in select committee with Mr McKelvie this morning when we both realised that our members\u2019 bills had actually been drawn out of the ballot, so it has indeed been a good day. Nothing better on a day like this to see this trade agreement being ratified in the House. It\u2019s a plurilateral agreement that affects\u2014\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000365\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u0022c83012b4-3939-4753-80fc-1956a3e2bd1e\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00229580d153ab0248d997d524e6a4db8ced\u0022\u003EHon Michael Woodhouse\u003C/span\u003E: Say that three times fast!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000366\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u0022c958b4ed861d4a55bdf47e7c8f3422d4\u0022\u003EBARBARA KURIGER\u003C/span\u003E: Exactly. It\u2019s easier than saying the name of the other bill that we\u2019ve been talking about this week, about live streaming. So it\u2019s plurilateral, it\u2019s 15 countries, and it\u2019s extremely important to New Zealand. All of us over here on the other side of the House, in the National caucus, are not always complimentary of everything that goes on on the Government side of the House, but when it comes to trade, it\u2019s very, very key that we all work together on these trade agreements, because at the end of the day this has been our bread and butter in our country for a very, very, very long time. The trade must get through.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000367\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EIt was mentioned before\u2014it\u2019s always mentioned, actually\u2014that during COVID-19 agriculture and our horticulture and our other rural exports have played a big part in keeping New Zealand financially afloat. But, also, we have had some supply chain issues, and I would like to make note just at this point in time of the shipping arrangement that Fonterra made with Silver Fern Farms back in 2010. Some of our bigger organisations are making some arrangements that make sure that they build relationships with shipping companies to make sure that whatever happens, our trade does get through. We are a little country at the bottom of the world and it would be very easy to leave us out at times, and it\u2019s very definitely satisfying to know that our trade is still getting through.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000368\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EThe other thing just to mention, actually, while we\u2019re talking about trade, is we had some presentations this morning around cooperatives in select committee, and there are some people in the House at the moment who were there. It\u2019s amazing how many of our big companies are cooperatives. When you look at the whole chart of all the logos, and we think about the likes of the Fonterras and the Zespris\u2014and also some of our energy companies are also cooperatives\u2014there\u2019s a good model there that actually helps us trade with, and don\u2019t underestimate just how much money that is actually bringing into our country to meet all of the needs that we require as a country to meet.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000369\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003ESo National knows that trade, international trade, is vital to our economic success because it underpins our business and it creates jobs and it lifts wages. That\u2019s who we are, and that\u2019s how we\u2019ve always done things. National is unashamedly supportive of free trade because it supports 600,000 jobs across the country and it\u2019s responsible for delivering a higher standard of living and a better quality of life for all New Zealanders. There is new market access for New Zealand goods, through this agreement, for exporters to Indonesia through tariff elimination on a number of products: anything from sheep meat to beef to fish to fish products, liquid milk, grated or powdered cheeses, honey, avocados, tomatoes, persimmons\u2014the list is not exhaustive, but it just goes to show what a fruit bowl and a food bowl New Zealand is.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000370\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EIt also does get to show that the world really appreciates the food that we produce here. Long may we continue to be proud of that, because in my two roles as agricultural spokesperson and energy spokesperson, I have a current saying that says: if you can\u2019t grow it or you can\u2019t dig it or dig for it, what is it? If it\u2019s not a fish\u2014and you could argue that a fish is also grown\u2014there\u2019s very little else left. We look around, and I can\u2019t see anything in any room, most days, in front of me that doesn\u2019t come from either agriculture or something that\u2019s made from the earth, and that includes our cellphones and our electric cars and everything else we have. So it\u2019s really important that we remember that, and if we\u2019re going to do any sort of education in our schools\u2014really good to remind or to teach students where things come from, because everything is in a space where it gets taken for granted. We get a lot of that through trade.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000371\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EA bit of a background to this bill is that negotiations began in early 2013, when the New Zealand Government sought public submissions during February and March of that year, engaged with the public, engaged with M\u0101ori and a wide spectrum of stakeholders over the course of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations. It was concluded by and signed in a virtual ceremony on 15 November 2020, and India withdrew from RCEP just in the negotiations in November 2019, although I have listened to Ministers speaking since that point in time\u2014and I know that the Hon Meka Whaitiri was saying the other day that those conversations are still going on and that those conversations are still alive.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000372\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u00220b695feee51c4f44bf29c4295fce672c\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean)\u003C/span\u003E: Order! Order! Sorry to interrupt the member. Could those two members conversing please separate themselves appropriately.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000373\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsBy\u0022 id=\u002225e9334f2f554d609251a3d57c06630d\u0022\u003EBARBARA KURIGER\u003C/span\u003E: Thank you, Madam Speaker. So there is a hope, I believe, in listening to the Hon Meka Whaitiri the other day when she was speaking about the trade bill, that India is not at all off the table and that we just need to continue building those relationships with India and, over time, India might likely end up in this trade agreement.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000374\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003ESomething that most people don\u2019t know about India is that it\u2019s actually the biggest milk producer in the world, but, actually, a lot of that is masked by the fact that most of the cows that are milked in this world are done by a lot of women, actually, who own two or three cows in little villages in India and Africa and around the world. So while we think of trade in terms of the Fonterras and the Zespris, there is a lot of production that goes on around the world just actually keeping villagers fed and alive.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000375\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003ESo a single set of trade and investment rules across the entire region, with this bill, increases certainty for all the players, reduces complexity that comes from different rules with different partners, because all that needs negotiating. So the more people you can have round the table and the less variation of rules, the simpler it is for our producers to get the product to market. The regional-wide value chains, when you\u2019ve got so many people working together\u2014you know, the world population is growing; it\u2019s not shrinking. So if we can actually get our food producers working together\u2014we\u2019re not each other\u2019s enemy, even though we have barriers between our countries and we do have a lot of negotiations around trade. It is important that we work together, because between all of us, we feed the world. In New Zealand, we can\u2019t feed the world.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000376\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u002261720d2e-5b1d-4742-b4f0-30424316ccc1\u0022\u003EI\u2019m going to stop now because I don\u2019t want to hold this bill up, and I\u2019m looking at the time, so I\u2019ll take my seat and commend it to the House.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca id=\u0022830892ec1a70484fa2286c81779b53c5\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 Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Legislation Bill be now read a third time.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EAyes 108\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENew Zealand Labour 65; New Zealand National 33; ACT New Zealand 10.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003ENoes 12\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EGreen Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 10; Te Paati M\u0101ori 2.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp class=\u0022HpsDivision\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsItem\u0022\u003EMotion agreed to.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000377\u0022\u003EBill read a third time.\u003C/p\u003E\u003Ca name=\u0022member\u0022 data-type=\u0022article\u0022 data-memberid=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022 data-id=\u0022a29fb614270448ca849e7d4ee6e3d37d\u0022\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000378\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsByToc\u0022 id=\u0022a29fb614270448ca849e7d4ee6e3d37d\u0022\u003EASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean)\u003C/span\u003E: Members, the House stands adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 26 October 2021.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp id=\u0022id202110212a72ddd294484a20881fa0cd933bd219000379\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022HpsNormal\u0022 id=\u00224a25943b-cb3b-49c3-bd10-74316fae17f1\u0022\u003EThe House adjourned at 4.58 p.m.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n    \u003C/div\u003E\n  \u003C/body\u003E\n\u003C/html\u003E"