Luxton Jo; Tolley AnneJO LUXTON (Labour): Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. I am pleased to have the opportunity to take a call on this the third reading of the Maritime Crimes Amendment Bill. This bill was introduced to the House in May 2016 received 151 submissions and oral evidence was heard from 23 submitters. It's great to see so many people wanting to be involved having a say with regard to the bill and engaging in the process.Initially many were concerned with parts of the bill that related to offences regarding ships and terrorism. The bill was reported back to the House on 7 December 2016 then proceeded with some minor amendments and was then read a second time on 16 February. I must say that I find it concerning that our previous speaker Mr Simon O'Connor is implying that we are wasting time with this bill.Simon O'Connor: Ipso facto.JO LUXTON: Well I have to absolutely disagree with you there. It completely shows the previous Government's lack of priority around our safety clearly in these times we face with terrorism getting ever closer to our own doorstep. Anyway I am concerned that the previous Government sat on this bill for so long given its huge importance to our security. But now luckily—luckily—we have a new Government which is ready to get things moving along at a progressive pace because we find that we are now having to tidy up all the previous Government's loose ends.We are a small island nation. By definition we are surrounded by water on all sides and are therefore susceptible to acts of terrorism. This bill will be to protect New Zealand. When we look at the many different ways that terrorism is making its way into people's everyday lives this piece of legislation is very timely and whilst there haven't been too many incidents of maritime terrorism we should in no way be complacent around this issue. We have seen bombs mass shootings. There are vehicles being used as weapons of terrorism. So the amendments in this bill are essential to bring this legislation up to date.Much of what is in the amendments really makes the bill clearer and more consolidated. By amending the Maritime Crimes Act 1999 it will enable us to implement obligations under two maritime counter-terrorism treaties: the Protocol of 2005 to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation and the Protocol of 2005 to the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf.But what does that really mean? It means that when there is suspicion that a vessel is suspected in involvement in maritime terrorism activities we will have a regime for boarding that vessel. The amended Acts will now include new offences such as using a ship or fixed platform so as to commit a serious offence or a ship is used to illegally transport biological chemical or nuclear weapons or materials. Transporting fugitives by ship is also included here. In short this bill will make it an offence to use a ship or fixed platform for terror acts or for enabling terror acts. Clearly we are facing ever-changing threats with the increasing volatility of and terrorism in the world and this legislation will enable better protection for us and will ensure that our maritime security framework reflects best practice.Prior to this the use of ships or fixed platforms for either enabling terrorist acts or committing terror acts had not been properly or adequately addressed. Many of the submitters were concerned that there could be a potential for peaceful protests or engaging in strikes lockouts or other industrial action to be prosecuted as terrorism. It is certainly not the intention of this bill for this to happen so as a consequence a new section 3B set out in clause 7 makes it clear that people can engage in these types of activity without the worry of prosecution. These types of activities by themselves are not considered a basis for criminal liability under the legislation. It is pleasing to see that people's rights to peaceful protest have been protected and that submitters have been listened to.New Zealand's maritime safety framework must be consistent with international best practice and this bill will help to achieve that so I have pleasure in commending this bill to the House.Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER: My apologies to the member for ringing the bell at two minutes and not one minute.