Williams Andrew: Geneva Conventions (Third Protocol—Red Crystal Emblem) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Williams Andrew: Geneva Conventions (Third Protocol—Red Crystal Emblem) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 28 June 2012. Volume:681;Page:3527. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
ANDREW WILLIAMS (NZ First) 
: 
 I rise on behalf of New Zealand First to support the Geneva Conventions (Third Protocol—Red Crystal Emblem) Amendment Bill. In looking up some background details to the Red Cross and the Red Crescent it is always most impressive to see what the movement worldwide does do. We are all very familiar with the fact that every time there is an actual disaster or some sort of military conflict that so often the Red Cross and the Red Crescent play an important role in those situations. Looking up the facts of the organisations involved I noted they are present in some 188 countries around the world which is a very very impressive figure. Most countries in the world do have the Red Cross and the Red Crescent present and they include 97 million volunteers members and staff worldwide. So again they have a huge support base around the world providing humanitarian assistance. The principles of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent are something that we should be very mindful of. The Red Cross was founded as we all know in 1863—as a previous speaker said in Switzerland—and it was founded to protect— 
Hon Simon Bridges 
: Not even Winston was born then Andrew. 
ANDREW WILLIAMS 
: No no it was a little bit before New Zealand First was founded but on very similar principles—principles like New Zealand First has. They are to protect human life and health; to ensure respect for all human beings; and to prevent and alleviate human suffering without any discrimination based on nationality race sex religious beliefs class or political opinions. 
We are very happy to support this bill. We are somewhat concerned that it has taken since 2005 when New Zealand signed up to it originally—that some 7 years later the bill is finally in this House. That is a little bit disappointing. But quite clearly where you have a situation where you have Christian-based symbols and Muslim-based symbols those cannot always apply in all situations around the world. Therefore the Red Crystal does serve the purpose of being another symbol that can be used in circumstances where it is appropriate. 
We all know what the Red Cross has done for New Zealand as well in terms of what it has done with the Canterbury earthquakes and natural disasters here in New Zealand. Whenever the Red Cross puts up its hand and says it needs the support of New Zealanders in an emergency New Zealanders always respond and they respond with huge generosity. The Red Cross and the Red Crescent are regarded as being very very well operated organisations—NGOs—around the world which have intervened in some of the most significant natural disasters that this world has seen and in some of the most major military conflicts that we have seen over the last century or so. 
In that respect it should be noted that the Red Cross and Red Crescent organisations received the Nobel Peace Prize on three occasions: in 1917 during the First World War; in 1944 during the Second World War; and again in 1963. One could rightly argue that there has been a bit of a gap and perhaps now that we are moving into this current millennium they are overdue for another Nobel Peace Prize because they certainly have earned it over the last 150-odd years. 
New Zealand First is very happy to support this bill and we will certainly commend it to the House.