Parker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Parker David: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:618;Page:13554] 
9.  
DAVID PARKER (Labour—Otago) 
 to the  
Minister for Biosecurity 
: What reports has he received analysing recent Budget allocations in biosecurity? 
Hon JIM SUTTON (Minister for Biosecurity) 
: 
 The rural media analysed the Budget extensively. Even  
Rural News 
 a newspaper not traditionally a supporter of this Government has commented that the Budget is good. I quote: “One area the Government has power to make life better for farmers is in biosecurity and the recent Budget included a massive increase in spending in this area.” 
David Parker 
: Have farmers missed out in the Budget then? 
Hon JIM SUTTON 
: Not at all. To quote a spokesman for the export industries which earned $5.7 billion in exports last year: “This Budget was a comprehensive one that gives agricultural industry something to smile about.” The measures taken in biosecurity and trade negotiations in particular are good for rural people as are measures in health education and Working for Families. 
Shane Ardern 
: Is the Minister aware of other reports from leading biosecurity experts including Professor Morris from Massey University that have described the Minister’s Biosecurity Act as “the Act of bio-insecurity”; and when will the Minister stop heralding several new incursions a week as a success story? 
Hon JIM SUTTON 
: There is always one expert who thinks he knows more than all the others. I would say that the way in which this Government has treated biosecurity since it came into office in 1999 has been a great relief to the farming community of New Zealand. 
Larry Baldock 
: Does the Minister acknowledge that the reduction of the biosecurity threat is a public good and can he assure the House that any costs such as screening sea containers for biosecurity threats are not passed on to business as is the case with the Border Security Bill but rather are funded by general taxation? 
Hon JIM SUTTON 
: The Government’s approach is to fund the public good elements of biosecurity from public resources. That is why Government expenditure in that area has been dramatically increased. However costs driven by users in pursuit of their own business interests are quite correctly passed on to those users. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: How can the Minister make that claim given that in 1999 the Labour Party promised to ensure that every used car that came on to our waterfront was decontaminated offshore at the place of embarkation; why will it not fulfil that promise and what sort of security does New Zealand have unless that is done? 
Hon JIM SUTTON 
: That issue is serious and is under further review as we speak. However I point out to the member that the expert advice the Government has consistently received is that the course of action taken in 1999 which we believed was the right way to go was not the most effective way to achieve effective biosecurity in relation to vehicles. In any event vehicles will always have to be reinspected when they arrive in New Zealand as they can be contaminated after being cleared at the port of despatch. 
Hon David Carter 
: I seek leave to table the farmers’ weekly referred to by Mr Sutton showing that the headlines on the front page state: “Budget Bad for Agriculture”. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is.