Foss Craig: Meat Board Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Foss Craig: Meat Board Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:633;Page:4718] 
CRAIG FOSS (National—Tukituki) 
: 
 I rise to speak to the Meat Board Amendment Bill. First of all I would like to congratulate the Primary Production Committee on its work—and on the cooperation of the committee in general—and also acknowledge the work of the officials to get the bill to this stage. In particular National’s agriculture spokesman Mr David Carter—and I am not sure how many Ministers of Agriculture he has seen off now—is doing a great job backed up very well by Mr Nathan Guy who is one of our new intake and Mr Colin King who just gave a very good speech on the bill. I thank Mr King for the technical references he gave. I also acknowledge Mr Phil Heatley who is also on the select committee. 
The progress of this bill is a great example of MMP in action. I almost surprise myself by saying that given that the Minister in charge of the bill Jim Anderton is from a party to the left of Labour and slightly to the right of the Greens I guess. In this current environment we should celebrate such cooperation and focus on the right and good outcomes of this Parliament. Certainly Parliament’s reputation is enhanced when bills like this come to the House. 
I think—but I am not sure—there is unanimous support for the bill. As previous speakers have mentioned there are no substantial changes to the bill as it was first read which was then considered by the select committee. Again congratulations are due to the officials and to those who have contributed to the drafting of the bill. As I mentioned earlier the National Party is supporting the bill and there are no major changes. 
I would like to note one point. The National Party is supporting the Minister and the officials on the Meat Board Amendment Bill but I must note that this will not be habit-forming. I say that because last night I attended the inaugural Horticulture New Zealand conference in Auckland and the Minister of Agriculture was the guest speaker at dinner. I do not think the Minister realised I was there so he may have shared a few too many secrets. They were good words but I need to point out to the Minister that they were only words. Much of the discussion around my table and at drinks afterwards included statements like: “Well show us some action Minister; words are cheap.” 
I also note for the benefit of the Minister that most of the people in the room took gross offence at the accusation that they and New Zealand land-based industries constantly saw the glass as being half empty. That is a gross insult to those who have worked so hard to put this nation where it is now in spite of in many instances the Labour Government’s actions. They were quite indignant at the comparisons with our cousins over in Australia as to how well they are doing in respect of productivity and return to the farm gate etc. Again he should celebrate the industry of which he is the Minister in charge. 
I also note that they were quite astounded when the Minister spoke last night pertaining to land-based industries of the need for productivity gains in this sector in New Zealand. In spite of the actions of the current Government including in its previous term this sector has had massive productivity gains. In discussion after the Minister’s speech questions were asked. How on earth can the Minister say that when he has been part of a Government that has flooded regulation on to the farm—including pertaining to the Meat Board Amendment Bill farms that produce meat? How on earth can he keep asking about productivity gains when he has hiked up everyone’s wage bill by about 2 percent with the Holidays Act? How on earth can he talk about the need for productivity gains and incentives in this sector when he has been part of a regime that has hiked up personal taxes that has absolutely trawled another $30 billion over the last 6 years rising to $60 billion in personal tax wasting the gains from the investment of hard-working farmers over many years that they had hoped to enjoy at this time? 
In the discussion about whether this Minister is right about the need for productivity gain and about things that are good for the country and for the agricultural sector the issue of Sovereign Yachts came up. The Minister in his previous incarnation constantly wrote out cheques for decent photo opportunities. He absolutely squandered taxpayers’ money on Sovereign Yachts for example—money that farmers could have enjoyed using in the first place. 
My electorate consists of many meat processors. They are cooperatives listed companies and private companies—large and small. Discussions on issues concerning procurement and processing run very deep and get very emotional. An example is the recent debates about PPCS Ltd being taken over by or merging with—depending on whom one talks to—Richmond Ltd which is a company with a great history in Hawke’s Bay. 
The Meat Board does a great job. As I said earlier National is supporting the bill which is relatively unchanged. There are no substantial changes to the bill. The board does a great job of managing corralling and advocating for New Zealand’s position and access to markets abroad in spite of the absolute best efforts of other parties and competitors to prevent that.