Parker David: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeParker David: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 21 July 2015. Volume:707;Page:5113. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]10.Hon DAVID PARKER (Labour)to the Minister of Trade: Does the current draft of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement purport to restrict a future New Zealand Government from banning the sale of existing New Zealand homes to foreign buyers from Trans-Pacific Partnership countries?Hon TODD McCLAY (Associate Minister of Trade)on behalf of theMinister of Trade: As Trans-Pacific Partnership provisions are still under negotiation and are not finalised we cannot comment on what may or may not be included at this time.Hon David Parker: Why did the lead New Zealand Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiator brief MPs from all parties that although the draft Trans-Pacific Partnership does allow for existing categories of investment controls to continue it does not allow for the introduction of new categories like a ban on the purchase of housing?Hon TODD McCLAY: I am not sure that that is entirely what he said or meant but what I would say is that this issue hinges on the specific facts and measures and their application. The current operation of the Overseas Investment Act is not impacted by existing free-trade agreements including the requirements consents and acquisition of land or sensitive land. But I would state again that I cannot comment on what provisions might be in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiation or whether or not it will be concluded.Hon David Parker: Is he aware that the New Zealand - China free-trade agreement allows for restrictions on foreign buyers of New Zealand homes including Chinese buyers so long as subsequent agreements with other countries are no more generous?Hon TODD McCLAY: I am aware that there are a number of conditions in all of our free-trade agreements. What I would also say though is that under the last Labour Government around conditions for the purchase of—Hon David Parker: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was—Mr SPEAKER: I am going to ask the member to repeat the question.Hon David Parker: Is he aware that the New Zealand - China free-trade agreement allows for restrictions on foreign buyers of New Zealand homes including Chinese buyers so long as subsequent agreements with other countries are no more generous?Hon TODD McCLAY: I am aware that our free-trade agreements have a number of conditions in them and many of them are different. But what I would say is that there are a number of ways to address the policy issue that the member has announced one of which is to use the Overseas Investment Act and make that more restrictive. The previous Labour Government did that. Most certainly in negotiating our free-trade agreements the Government is mindful of getting the balance right and of ensuring that the agreements are in the best interests of New Zealand.Hon David Parker: Given that he will not say what the draft text says will he say whether his position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership is that it should allow for restrictions on foreign buyers of New Zealand homes just as the New Zealand - China free-trade agreement does?Hon TODD McCLAY: The Minister’s position is the same as that of the Government. Most certainly what I would say to you is that we as a Government are very keen to make sure that our agreements are balanced that they are good for New Zealand and the New Zealand economy and that they are fair to all nations. You will not see this party on this side of the House singling out any one group of individuals. We believe they should be treated—[Interruption] We are not Hobbit-haters. We do not mind the Koreans. We are not against the Chinese. And as far as the Trans-Pacific Partnership is concerned I say to that member that we are not opposed to Americans playing either.Chris Hipkins: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Although there was some interjection during the latter part of the Minister’s answer he continued to go down a line of attack on the Opposition which earlier you ruled as out of order.Mr SPEAKER: No it was a long answer. To be absolutely honest I could not hear the end of it because there was so much interjection but this is a robust debating chamber and there will be occasions when Ministers will include some political statements in their answers.Hon David Parker: Will he guarantee that the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement will not restrict his Government or a subsequent Government from banning the purchase of New Zealand homes by foreigners from Trans-Pacific Partnership countries?Hon TODD McCLAY: I state again that the Trans-Pacific Partnership is currently under negotiation. Indeed the Minister is overseas negotiating right now. What I will give an assurance of absolutely is that for the Government to decide to sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement overall it will be good for New Zealanders and the New Zealand economy. We are a trading nation; we do not become richer by selling things to ourselves. We must ensure that we have good access to other markets—competitive access—and that is what the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiation is about.