Connell Brian: Civil Aviation Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Connell Brian: Civil Aviation Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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BRIAN CONNELL (National—Rakaia) 
: 
 I thank the Committee for the invitation to make a contribution to this debate. I also thank my senior whip for giving me the opportunity as well. He knows that I have been thirsting to do this. I also thank my learned colleague Simon Power for making the Committee aware of my expertise in this area. However on reflection and given that my learned colleagues and the Minister have now dealt with this issue of retrospectivity so very well I do not think it is appropriate or necessary for me to relitigate this component but with one small exception—that is to point out that Mr Power made a slight error. However it has subsequently been corrected. He said that the commencement date would be March but what he meant to say was June. I do not blame him for getting it wrong because as the Minister has just explained the Supplementary Order Paper was put on the Table only today. That made it very difficult for people to get across it. We are a dedicated bunch and we read everything that is put in front of us but on this occasion it was not there in good time. 
I would like to take a moment to recognise as the Minister has already pointed out the good work that the select committee did on putting this legislation together. I was not a member of it but it is clear that the committee worked in a very cooperative and constructive way. The consequence is that we get good law. I really lament the fact that we cannot use this model more constructively across this House. It would be nice for the 80 percent of legislation that we all tend to agree with that we put some structure together where we could agree with that and the 20 percent that we do not agree on we could really have quality debate and get down to a punch-up on the issues that are extremely important to us and the points that really separate the parties in Parliament. 
I now turn to the purpose and introduction. I agree with the Minister that it is important that we all read the commentary and I have done that. The most important component of this bill is that it aims to remove the regulatory barriers to airlines operating under the air services arrangements with Australia by allowing progressive implementation of mutual recognition of aviation certification. This mutual recognition terminology is really just code for mutual cooperation and good sense. On that basis I commend the legislation. It is sensible legislation because it has to be good for the travelling public. It streamlines laws and more important it gives them teeth. It will give the travelling public confidence that the airlines and the aviation authority are taking their safety seriously and that their safety is paramount and that those who jeopardise that safety will be punished. 
That is something that we should all reflect on—punished in a way that is not punitive but basically reflects that we now believe that behaviour and safety in and around airlines is absolutely paramount. Members of this Parliament know as people who travel regularly that every time we leave home we expect we will return home safely but that is not something we can take for granted which is why I believe that the construct of this bill has been well-thought-through and it is very well considered. I again commend the work that the select committee has done. 
As I read through the commentary I could not help but reflect on the fact that the term for mutual recognition agreements “ANZA” is very close to that of Anzac. It is a pity that we do not take more seriously our Australasian security commitments. I lament the fact that our Anzac spirit is dying and it is something that I deeply regret. I give the undertaking that once the National Party is back in Government—and that will not be very long—we will put that right.