Brown Peter: Border Security Bill — In Committee 
Brown Peter: Border Security Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:618;Page:13743] 
PETER BROWN (Deputy Leader—NZ First) 
: 
 If the issue in this bill had been addressed correctly—in other words if the Government had accepted that the extra cost of border security was to be paid for by general taxation—I think everybody in every party in this Chamber would support the bill We are absolutely in favour of increased border security and absolutely in favour of the costs being met. But instead the Government chose to levy $8 million from exporters $4 million from importers and $8 million from trans-shippers. In its generosity it has halved the $8 million from exporters leaving them facing a bill of $4 million. The exporters will not be charged directly; the levy will be charged against the carrier. The ship will be charged an amount that I have seen but cannot recall— 
Simon Power 
: Four. 
PETER BROWN 
: I think each ship will be charged so many hundred dollars. I forget the exact amount. Let me tell members what that will do to the shipping industry per se. The small ships that go around the Islands and carry a limited amount of cargo will have to pass on the cost and because it will be spread across a relatively small amount of cargo the increase on those exports and imports will be relatively high. The larger ship that is trading further will no doubt absorb the cost to some degree and therefore the importer and exporter will pay proportionally less. I ask whether that is fair. Is it fair to Pacific Island nations for example who might be dependent on small ships operating to and from New Zealand? It is not. 
When we last debated this bill the Minister of Customs the Hon Rick Barker took a call and endeavoured to explain his thoughts on trans-shippers and trans-shipments. The trans-shipping of cargo means that cargo comes in on one ship is landed on the wharf then goes out possibly on another ship or sometimes on the same ship and maybe at a later date or time. The sum of $8 million will have to be raised from that cargo and again I have no doubt that the charge will apply to the shipowner. 
The principal reason we are charging exporters and importers is the risk of a bomb being in a container or something like that. Let me suggest that if a bomb were in a container the person who was up to mischief would leave the cargo on the ship sitting in the harbour. That person would not arrange for it to be trans-shipped out; it would be left on the ship. There is no charge against that—thankfully. I do not want to give the Government any ideas! 
Quite clearly ensuring the safety of cargo that is taken out of a ship later to be reloaded on to another one—or even on to the same ship as I have just suggested—is the responsibility of this nation. Quite clearly that cost should be paid for out of taxation. When we think of the value of exports out of this country we know that this country could not survive without exporters. None of us would survive without exporters. This country takes the cream of their cake in many many ways and clearly exporters or carriers should not be charged for border security. Border security is a cost that we should all bear—everybody—and it should be borne evenly across all walks of life and all activities. In other words it should come from general taxation. 
The Government is doing a huge disservice to the people who make this country tick—namely exporters and importers. I would urge the Government in the fullness of time—I know that it is too late for this bill—to re-look at this legislation because that $20 million should be a charge we all come to terms with and all pay for and I have tried in the time available to illustrate why it is unfair. New Zealand First would have loved to support this bill but we will not vote for something that in principle is totally wrong. It is totally wrong. This bill should have provided for the Government to meet the costs of border security and I think the average New Zealander expects that. In fact I would go as far as to say that the average New Zealander would demand it if he or she were asked who should pay for border security. Why should it be a private enterprise outfit like an exporter or importer? Quite clearly it should be paid for by taxation.