Smith StuartSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura): Thank you Mr Chair. Is the Minister aware of section 20 of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017 where it states Director-General of an intelligence and security agency to consult Leader of the Opposition: The Director-General of an intelligence and security agency must regularly consult the Leader of the Opposition for the purpose of keeping the Leader of the Opposition informed about matters relating to the agency's functions." Now I see this in a very similar light and the point that the Minister raised about it only being for one Parliament—well it would only be consulted with the other parties when the methodology changed if it changed.I think it's absolutely outrageous not to consider talking to the leaders of the parties that are non-Government parties in this House because it's effectively saying "We don't trust you. We don't trust you with that information. We think it's too secret. It's too sensitive. But hang on we're going to talk about it to the auction monitor. We are going to talk to the Minister of Finance." And by the way when you have a Budget before the Cabinet Cabinet Ministers are aware of things that are market sensitive. As I said before why shouldn't it be a cross-party cross-Parliament cooperation on a bill given that all the legislation to date has been largely supported right across this Parliament?This is Parliament legislation rather than Government legislation essentially and I think you're missing the point Minister with respect and I think you're actually trampling over that good cooperation that has grown across this House with this legislation. I think—in fact I know—that the population out there generally people in the street men and women in the street won't have a great grasp of how the emissions trading scheme works most of them and judging by the speeches tonight a lot of people here don't either. They do however understand that the Minister with the greatest of respect does and that members on this side of the House in particular have taken a lot of time—some of it with great history like the Hon Scott Simpson who has been involved in these sorts of matters since you've been in Parliament I'd suggest Mr Simpson. So I think it's a great disservice that you're doing to us.We're not asking—Mr Simpson and myself are not asking—to know what the methodology is but we do think that our leader should know we do think that the leader of the ACT Party should know and we do think that the leader of Te Paati Māori should know. Of course the Green Party are going to know because you're the Minister and you are the leader of that but you are a non-governing party. Should that change and the methodology change then it would be right and proper that the Green Party leader would be consulted on this. They won't be going out and trying to game the market. They won't be going out and leaking important information. That's just not the case. I'm sure the officials in their heart of hearts will know that what I'm saying is correct. It's the right thing to do. It's quite insulting to not do it and I'm sure we'll hear from other parties involved in this that they will support this amendment.So I really want you to reconsider Minister. You don't need to take to your feet now; I'll give you enough time. It won't be any loss of face on your part. You'll gain great respect on this side of the House. You'll gain great respect on the streets of New Zealand because it is important that they back this as much as we do. So I appeal to you Minister to reconsider. We will give you a moment out in the lobby there with the officials. I'm sure that they—they really should be thumbing through their statute book now and looking up section 20 of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017. It's very easy to find and I'm sure they won't have too much difficulty. I can help you if you wish. I can see the nodding in the ACT quarter of the Chamber and I'm sure that they will be supporting that and I'm sure my colleagues will be getting to their feet in support of this amendment and we look forward to you changing your mind Minister in the very immediate future. Thank you."