Bridges SimonOUTER SPACE AND HIGH-ALTITUDE ACTIVITIES BILLThird ReadingHon SIMON BRIDGES (Minister for Economic Development): I move That the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Bill be now read a third time. The bill establishes a new law to govern space activities conducted from New Zealand and by New Zealand nationals offshore. It covers the launch of space objects such as rockets and satellites into outer space and regulates space launch facilities. It also establishes a regime to govern certain high-altitude activities such as high-altitude balloons.People rely on space for everyday services like telecommunications high-speed internet navigation and place-based information climate monitoring and emergency management. The rapid evolution of space technology is creating new opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship recognising the potential for significant economic and innovation benefits. The purpose of the bill is to facilitate the development of a space industry while providing the necessary protections to manage the risks associated with space activities and to meet our international obligations.When I listened to the speeches during the Committee stage a consistent theme was that this bill is a very significant and exciting piece of legislation. It creates opportunities for New Zealand to be part of a global space economy that will generate real economic benefits for New Zealanders. The bill captured the imagination of members of Parliament. We heard about the possibilities that a New Zealand - based space industry will create such as high-value jobs exciting career paths and a more diversified economy.I was elated like so many New Zealanders when I saw Rocket Lab's recent successful test launch from the world's first private launch facility on the Māhia Peninsula. It epitomised what this bill is about and that is enabling New Zealand to bring its talents skills and technology to the world stage.This bill provides a regulatory framework for the space industry. It allows companies to operate safely while encouraging innovation and industry development. The bill puts in place a number of controls on who may participate in space activities. These controls include ensuring the applicant has the necessary technical capability can demonstrate that they will manage public safety throughout the operation and is a fit and proper person to hold a licence to undertake the activity.The bill also enables the responsible Minister to decline an application if he or she is not satisfied that the operation would be in the national interest. The ethos of this bill is to take a flexible and proportionate approach to managing risk. Overseas experience has shown that imposing onerous requirements generally on all industry participants is the surest way to stifle an emerging industry. One of the tools that the bill uses to avoid this is by enabling licence conditions to be tailored as appropriate to manage a particular activity. The bill also seeks to minimise compliance costs for operators by for example enabling overseas licences to satisfy New Zealand's requirements. This will help position New Zealand as an internationally competitive location for space activities.A number of changes were made to the bill during the select committee process to clarify the intent of the provisions and improve the workability of the regulatory regime. I want to acknowledge the constructive input from the members of the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee and the people who took the time to make submissions on the bill. The Government and I think the Parliament supports the development of an internationally credible competitive and well-connected New Zealand - based space economy that can make a difference in our everyday lives. I am confident that the bill does just that but at the same time provides a comprehensive basis for regulating space activities and managing risks. I commend the bill to the House.