SpeechPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai): Thank you Madam Speaker and it's a pleasure to be here and talk on the first day back for the 2022 calendar year. And can I just take this moment to say kia ora and greetings to everyone across the House. I was just reflecting on the previous member Scott Simpson's call and thought I'm sure Robin Hood wouldn't mind if he had an electric vehicle during his work because it would make him really silent and efficient and get a whole lot more treasure loot or whatever else he wanted to call it! And I'm sure he too was an environmental socialist in some way but I'll let you guys think more about that. I just want to take a short call just to remind the House about this bill's primary objective and that's to achieve the rapid reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from our light vehicle fleet imported into Aotearoa New Zealand. That's really the main objective here and it's been a pleasure sitting on the Transport and Infrastructure Committee. I acknowledge the chair Greg O'Connor and the team of those MPs across the House on it. We've had some good debate and that's been reflected in the work being presented here. There were 135 written submissions—we did do many of those 28 in total but at length over several days where we heard from most of the major New Zealand car manufacturers. And it was interesting—interesting from the perspective that I quite like cars—but I was interested to hear how some of our traditional brands and those that've been here since they got into New Zealand just some of the issues that they face in terms of modern car production; where New Zealand fits into the scheme of things; how they would make that transition across. It seemed like lots were in a hurry. It seemed that many were keen—in fact many had already made that transition and were well under way. Many of the comments that have been said around some manufacturers struggling to meet those targets are true. They acknowledge that; they express that frustration. And in fairness to them they are subject to global production schedules and guidelines and a whole manner of things. Look for some it means that's it and while some may say Hey look that's terrible. Look at their pedigree and heritage in New Zealand." we have had new ones. I don't need to name all of them but you know we've talked about them in the House tonight already. And they have made that transition because electric vehicles are the only thing that they are producing as a manufacturer and they are doing other bits and pieces around that. But I want to say this: it took me some time to be convinced and to be brought on board but as some of the arguments went here and there I'm absolutely convinced. Because if we look at that primary objective someone transformational and bold like this Government had to make a call on saying how we are going to achieve this notwithstanding many people in this House who have purchased electric vehicles or hybrids and in many local authorities—I heard some jibes across the floor there around local government—but many have responded and there are articles galore here examples all over New Zealand where in partnership with the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi there's been a surge in demand for charging stations. And if you go around Wellington City in my part of the eastern and southern suburbs you will see a whole lot of charging stations that have been put in. And I know the almighty ratepayer was a bit upset; they said "Well how come these have been put in here? No one's using them." But can I say now there is a demand; in fact they want more. And I expect that to happen more and more and more.And one of the best things about having those car manufacturers come online is that I was able to talk some of them through about some of the concerns about what the second-hand car market looks like—how does affordability feature in your grand plan? I'm no dodgy car sales rep but I can tell you this: that many are excited many do want to create a second-hand affordable market where they can sell these vehicles to those who don't have a lot but still want to continue using a car. Many are also supportive of this Government's plight to see mode shift to see us say "Hey not only will you consider using this type of vehicle but looking at other modes such as using public transport." You only need to go outside probably not tonight but on any other day and you will see a Metlink council-run bus service where it's an electric vehicle of some sort and that has taken off across the metro fleets in New Zealand.Walking and cycling—and I know I'm a bit of a walker—it's proved to be beneficial in many ways but can I say that this is all part of that bigger picture in terms of meeting that primary objective. I am happy that we've also announced this clean vehicle standard and I know that the bill provides the short transition period to enable importers to register a carbon dioxide account before the full standard commences on 1 January 2023. There are targets there in the bill and mention of transferring carbon dioxide credits and improved use of the term "used vehicle". There is of course the clean vehicle discount scheme and those views have been canvassed tonight.But what I want to finish by saying is that we know that climate change poses the greatest long-term threat to our environment. I'm confident that this bill will function as intended. I'm also confident that the car manufacturers on the whole are supportive but ultimately it is our biggest and most positive step to reducing carbon dioxide emissions in our light vehicle fleets. I commend the Land Transport (Clean Vehicles) Amendment Bill to the House."