Sage EugenieHon EUGENIE SAGE (Minister of Conservation): Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. I am not a member of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee and I don't have a lot of knowledge of racing but it was interesting to read the select committee report and some of the concerns that have been raised by Opposition members. One of those concerns was around the process and I think some of the speakers from the Opposition recognise that the industry is at a bit of a tipping point and there is an urgent need for reform because of the significance of its contribution to the economy—$1.6 billion—and also the great deal of enjoyment that a lot of New Zealanders get from participating at racecourses.But I'd also note in terms of rebutting some of the comments the Opposition members have made that there was an awful lot of consultation which preceded this bill. Of course the bill in fact draws on a bill that was introduced under the former Government and was discharged. So there's been a lot of work in the development of it. There was also a lot of consultation as part of the Messara report. Yes the select committee process in this Parliament was truncated but you've got to balance that against the need to actually get reform happening. The Green Party endorses the need for some speed there. One of the other concerns that seems to come up repeatedly is this issue of sporting organisations. Can I point out to the previous speaker Alastair Scott and others that it is very clear in clause 11 of the bill which talks about the membership of the transitional governing body that (4) In appointing members the Minister must have regard to the need for the governing body to have available to it collectively from its members—(a) knowledge of or experience in the racing industry and sport administration at a national level;". Certainly the title of the bill isn't as embracing of sport as it could be but the actual membership of the governing body makes no real distinction between those who have racing expertise and those who've got sports administration expertise. They're on an equal level. So I am confident that the Minister for Racing in implementing this section and appointing members of the governing body will ensure that there are people who've got that depth of experience both in governance and in sports administration. In addition in terms of the way in which the funds are distributed there were certainly some submissions from sports organisations that sought that any revenue that was generated from betting on particular sports would be returned to that particular sector rather than being more widely distributed. I think that process would be very complex but the work that will be done won't actually change the fundamental way in which sports funding is done and the requirement that has come in through the amendment that the select committee has made to require some consultation with the Minister for Sport and Recreation will ensure that that view goes through. So I think the decisions that will be made there will take into account the needs of the different sporting codes. That amendment that's suggested by the select committee I think is part of several improvements to the bill that have come through the select committee process as a result of submissions that will improve the bill. The Green Party supports the bill. One of the reasons we support it is because of the provision that some of the proceeds from betting will in fact go towards the minimisation of gambling harm—the way in which the bill and the reform of the sector ensures that we're getting contributions and a charge paid by those remote organisations offshore organisations facilitating betting on New Zealand racing and New Zealand sporting codes actually now being responsible for contributing something for their use of those codes. I think that is good that they are saying—and I think the National Party has picked up the need for more of a transition period there but I think that is a bit self-serving of the offshore betting organisations. They have avoided contributing on a user-pays basis. The bill is making it clear that they need to. I think they'll be able to organise their systems so that they are able to pay those charges.The select committee under the chairing of Darroch Ball has improved the bill and it proceeds in that improved state. Thank you."