Goodhew Jo: Veterinarians Bill — Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
Goodhew Jo: Veterinarians Bill — Second Reading In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:628;Page:972] 
JO GOODHEW (National—Aoraki) 
: 
 It gives me great pleasure to rise to speak in the third reading debate on the Veterinarians Bill. The bill of course repeals the Veterinarians Act 1994. I guess I see things slightly differently from the Minister in charge of the bill Jim Anderton when we talk about where the bill has come from. 
The history of the bill as I understand it is that it went to the Primary Production Committee in a pretty disrespectful state. The reason for that was that the sector had not been consulted when the bill was drafted. The former Minister of Agriculture Jim Sutton had not sought the views of the sector. In fact when we look at the document and at the many many changes within it we see that the clauses of the bill with no changes are the clauses that survived from the last legislation. Therefore there was no need to consult the sector on that part—it was already a done deal. 
The primary production sector is very very important to New Zealand and the veterinarians are very important to that primary production sector. But the very Minister who was involved the then Minister of Agriculture did not seek the views of the sector when he brought the bill to the House. After that the bill went to the Primary Production Committee and I certainly commend its work under the very able chairmanship of National’s Hon David Carter. An enormous amount of work was put in. One only has to look at the pages of the document to see the work that went into making the bill fit to come into the House again today. Thank goodness the veterinarians will get what they want. They will see the bill passed by Christmas because we will certainly support it. 
We have already heard about the blue tide that has swept through New Zealand and we see many new members from rural provincial New Zealand in the House tonight who are supporting the bill. I just remind those present that Part 2 which deals with registration was a very important part because it sought the ability for us to encourage overseas vets to come and practise in New Zealand. Why do we need overseas vets practising in New Zealand? It is quite simple: many of the registered vets from New Zealand are leaving our shores. We know about the more than 600 New Zealanders who go to Australia each week. We know about those highly skilled highly qualified people. Well amongst them are vets. We know that those vets are going because of high taxes compliance costs and complications like the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. We know there are approximately 500 rural vets. My own vet is married to a German vet and I understand that they cannot wait to see the passing of the bill because they work in rural provincial New Zealand and they know the problems involved in getting extra vets. 
We know that the submissions to the Primary Production Committee numbered about 10. Massey University certainly took the time to submit that it was in support of the bill and it gave its ideas in the submission process. We also know that half of the submissions were from pet owners which brings me to Part 3. The provisions in this very important part mean that pet owners can be sure that they will have a process by which to address any concerns they may have. This afternoon and this evening we heard about Bianca we heard about my very own Hogan and we heard about Gee Sally and Tommy. Again I reiterate what I said before: the reasons we hear those emotive stories about our pets is that pets are second only to children when it comes to the emotional needs of the owners or parents. So we must have legislation that clearly sets out how we can keep them safe and how we can be sure that there is a process to follow if we feel that our pets just like our children are not safe. 
 Part 4 deals with the make-up of the Veterinary Council and what it is charged with doing. The council examines registers advises the Minister on issues like education talks to other countries about reciprocal arrangements—and by golly we need those if we are going to encourage vets to register in New Zealand—hears complaints and prescribes standards. We heard that there are some layperson vacancies on the council. I want to put forward my own nomination for a layperson vacancy. The Hon Jim Sutton has indicated that he is looking for a job so who better? He has an agricultural background and he probably has some understanding of what to expect from a vet. [ 
Interruption 
] And Ann Hercus—the council does need two laypeople. I also note that some disenchanted National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) markers will be looking for something to keep them interested after they have decided never to mark again. [ 
Interruption 
] Road markers? That would be pretty sad after marking NCEA exams but it would be much simpler and much easier and at least they would know what the rules were. 
In conclusion I just say that this bill is very very important to the National Party members gathered here to the veterinarians of New Zealand and to New Zealand as a country because we are so dependent upon the primary production sector. We know that the shortages of vets are in the rural areas. It is vitally important that this bill gets the attention it deserves that we get it through by Christmas and that we can say that this is a good deal done.