Peters WinstonRt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister for Racing): I move That the Racing Reform Bill be reported to the House by 11 June 2019 and that the committee have authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting (except during oral questions) during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House and outside the Wellington area despite Standing Orders 191 193 and 194(1)(b) and (c). Bill No. 1 seeks agreement to repurpose the New Zealand Racing Board as the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA). It's an initial step. A shortened select committee period is requested to allow RITA to start work immediately on transitional arrangements. The House can anticipate a second racing amendment bill during RITA's work which will contain the substantive changes recommended for the industry. The Racing Amendment Bill (No 2) will proceed later this year and will be subject to a fuller select committee process. But I can say this: the bill which was a precursor to this the Racing Amendment Bill was substantially consulted on—the National Party is claiming that this is their bill; it was substantially consulted on—and the Messara report was again substantially consulted on and received over 1700 submissions. So there is the matter of consultation dealt with. But I want to say this: I was actually astonished today at the reaction of the National Party. Out there when you are shovelling you-know-what at 4 o'clock in the morning in the back of the stables as a young person because you believe in racing and you know that your whole employment is dependent upon the industry and the stud farm where you are being a success—if you are that person you would have been in despair today to hear the National Party's lack of understanding and sheer contempt for the plight that they're in. If you are a person out there rounding up and harnessing up the horses whether it be a trotter or a pacer or dare I say walking the dogs if you're a greyhound owner you'd be concerned to see just how arrogant members of the National Party were today. It's as though these people don't matter. I've seen them of course at the racecourse and they're all over them like a rash but when they get here they can't and aren't prepared to show one bit of unity to help an industry that has been static on $1.6 billion for nine long years before the National Party went out of power. Nine years of static performance with all the opportunities that this industry needs to provide employment for young people in particular whose only dream is to work in an industry with an animal that they love which is part of the magnificent history—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): Could I call the right honourable gentleman to order please. We are debating the ability to truncate the select committee process. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Yes exactly. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): Yes so let's stick to the matter at hand rather than being wide-ranging.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: I'm trying to ensure that the people who made that claim today have to face the fact that the people who are most concerned with this bill were utterly and seriously consulted. Personally I went around the country from Invercargill to the most northern racecourse at Ruakākā to speak to people. So did my colleague Mr McAnulty from the Wairarapa. A number of my colleagues like Mr Faafoi went around the country. I have got no doubts that the Minister for primary industries Mr O'Connor did that as well. So we consulted extensively and it's demonstrated in this legislation at the level of consultation. But I want to say this: take the thoroughbred industry. It used to have 8000 mares; now it's got less than 4000 and falling unless we can turn that around. It used to be a huge industry once employing so many people and in a much smaller population. That can all be revived but we can't get there if members of Parliament are going to blow hot and cold say one thing out there in respect to the industry—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): We are straying from the motion so please—thank you.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: All I'm going to say on the question that was raised in the debate of course—it was one raised by Nikki Kaye about the pie itself. Well before we dance around trying to demonstrate how keen we are about other sports and codes and before we start talking about the pie how about growing it?ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): Order! I apologise to the member—Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: That's the end of my speech.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Poto Williams): Thank you; I've asked you three times now.