Field Taito Phillip: Crimes and Misconduct (Overseas Operations) Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Third Reading 
Field Taito Phillip: Crimes and Misconduct (Overseas Operations) Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:616;Page:12225] 
Hon TAITO PHILLIP FIELD (Minister of State) 
: 
 I am happy to contribute briefly to this bill which as indicated by previous speakers is supported by all parties in the House. It is a very good bill introduced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade the Hon Phil Goff. It acknowledges an agreement between New Zealand and the Solomon Islands on what is necessary for the deployment of personnel to the Solomon Islands. I am very proud of the fact that New Zealand and other Pacific nations are involved in the restoration of law and order in the Solomons. 
I want to point out that in the agreement for that deployment the Solomon Islands Government agreed to cede jurisdiction only if New Zealand had statute that allowed that jurisdiction for non-military personnel. This bill is necessary in order to ensure that other classes of personnel who are involved in the deployment in the Solomons are covered in terms of New Zealand jurisdiction and law if they commit an offence. As part of that agreement for deployment it is necessary that we honour what is required under that deployment. That is why this legislation is necessary. I believe that it is well-drafted law. The select committee has done a good job. I support the bill. 
RON MARK (NZ First) 
: 
 I want to take a very short call on behalf of New Zealand First to put on record that New Zealand First will support this bill as we have supported its passage thus far. I also put on record that it concerns us that we have had service personnel deployed in the Solomons since 24 July 2003 and here we are under urgency today moving the legislation forward another step. That is not adequate. Despite the complimentary words that have been made to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade that is too slow. 
Is it any wonder that service personnel whom we send overseas sometimes believe that Parliament has forgotten them? 
Probably the irony about this legislation is that given the situation in the Solomons it is not the New Zealand police whom we are worried about. It is actually the police force of the Solomons which the New Zealand police have gone over to teach train and guide and whose culture is quite clearly in need of adjustment. They are the people who have been perpetuating crimes upon their own citizens and against New Zealand citizens and New Zealand businessmen which have gone for so long untended. That in itself is a further indictment on this Government and on past Governments for their inaction. Probably and quite clearly the saving grace is that we have moved on from that. 
I would give only one word of caution for those who think that this is a short-term operation—that our people are serving over there and that they will be home soon. I would simply say: “Forget it.” The situation in the Solomons is one that will be extremely fluid for many years to come and it is my prediction that we will be required to have servicemen over there working with the authorities in the Government for quite some time to come. Either that or we will do what we are becoming renowned for doing: turn our backs and let the Aussies carry the workload which is something I would not like to see happen. 
The bill is essential. It is necessary that any service personnel that we send over to such places as the Solomons in the circumstances of being outside the auspices of the United Nations do need to have a clear understanding as to their obligations in terms of their compliance with the law. We support the bill.