Auchinvole Chris: Tariff (Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Auchinvole Chris: Tariff (Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership) Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National) 
: 
 I rise to speak in support of the bill. It is a Government bill yet it fits well with National Party policy so it deserves our support. Once passed into law the bill will enable the conferral of preferential tariffs in accordance with the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement. 
I was saddened to listen to the previous speaker as he— 
Keith Locke 
: I’d have thought you’d have been delighted. 
CHRIS AUCHINVOLE 
: Well delighted if the member likes but it would have been nice to hear a more enthusiastic encouraging response from someone who has already been on the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee and who has been party to the discussions. That speech seemed to lack any resilience or hope. Goodness me! Trade does not have to be ugly. Trade does not have to be evil. New Zealand will not get far in the world if we seek perpetually to be sheltered all the time. From my 20 years of exporting experience I know that New Zealanders are actually very good at exporting. Unfortunately I believe that only about 4 percent of our country’s companies are involved in exporting. I say to Mr Locke that the saddening bit for me was that I do not think that anyone would be encouraged to try exporting after listening to his cautious approach. 
Once passed into law the bill will enable the conferral of preferential tariffs in accordance with the partnership agreement. I found an excellent consequence of the purpose and an excellent outcome to the bill in the explained advantages to New Zealand. There will be an immediate elimination of the 6 percent tariff on coal. I am delighted to find that and even more enthused than I would otherwise be owing to my living on the West Coast of the South Island and having a caucus responsibility as associate spokesperson on energy (mining). Ten days ago I was a participant in the induction safety course at Solid Energy’s Spring Creek Mine on the West Coast. The safety aspect of the occasion was not without significance as there had been a recent tragic mining accident in a mine close by. Mining is an old profession and miners have special expressions to describe their work. They talk of “winning” the coal—they “win” it. The bill will enhance the return for coal sent to Chile and could well result in additional export sales. The cost of coal is the cost of extraction. The free trade bill will enhance the efforts of those who bravely work underground to win wealth for our country often at expense to themselves personally. 
Beyond the elimination of the tariff on coal there are other advantages in the bill. Free trade is a benefit to all in that it reduces a huge amount of tedious detail that otherwise clutters international trade. It makes it very complex indeed I say to Mr Roy. During my period of exporting into the Pacific I remember going to Tahiti on one occasion. The people there listed the tariffs duties and costs associated with importing our splendid UHT milk which was actually not Fonterra milk but Dairy Board milk in those days. I do not agree with Mr Locke’s concerns over the dairy industry. We do that very well too. But to reduce the clutter involved in the transaction of goods can only be good for New Zealand and for the other party. Free trade is free and it is free from complications. 
It is fitting that I stand to support the bill in conjunction with my colleague Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith as both of us at one stage worked together in the dairy industry and we were both involved in exporting to various parts of the world. The Opposition side of the House is well equipped with people who have been involved in exporting and in primary production. Speaking for all of the people who have that experience we commend the bill and the way it has been put together.