6. Question No. 6—COVID-19 ResponseCHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for COVID-19 ResponseQuestion No. 6—COVID-19 Response6. CHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister for COVID-19 Response: When the Government was negotiating a joint decision-making framework with Australia for the proposed trans-Tasman safe travel zone did the Government develop a back-up plan in case agreement was not reached in the negotiations; if so what was the plan?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister for COVID-19 Response): Throughout our negotiations with the Australian Federal Government work has been progressing and is well advanced on developing a draft response framework detailing the circumstances that may lead to a suspension of green zone travel on either side of the Tasman. The nature of this framework has not been dependent on our negotiating an approach and it has meant that we haven't had to start from scratch when pivoting towards pursuing a unilateral approach with Australia. Opening up quarantine-free travel is not a simple proposition and the conditions outlined by the Prime Minister yesterday reiterate the Government's ongoing commitment to commence safe travel with Australia when it's safe to do so. Chris Bishop: Why did the Government only announce yesterday that they would make an announcement in April about a possible date for a safe travel zone with Australia if as he said the Government hasn't had to start from scratch on the plans for the response framework?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I think if the member listened to the Prime Minister's statement yesterday very carefully she set out some preconditions for making the final decision to open free travel between New Zealand and Australia. Some of that requires some interaction with airlines with airports and so on. We're being upfront with New Zealanders that that's starting.Chris Bishop: Why is the Government not in a position to confirm the trans-Tasman safe travel arrangements when the Australians opened to New Zealand in October last year?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I think one of the things the member might like to reflect on and we went through this last week is that when quarantine-free travel is applying two ways the volume of people crossing the Tasman will increase exponentially. So it will increase the risk on both sides of the Tasman; it will increase the number of people travelling quite considerably. That is why it is a little different to Australia's position where at the moment the number of people arriving in Australia is still significantly constrained by the fact that border restrictions remain in New Zealand.Chris Bishop: Why has the Government not finalised a response framework that is fit for purpose and ready when the talks with Australia finished in February and the Government says it's been working on the issues for months?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: There is still a two-way discussion between New Zealand and Australia to make sure that New Zealanders have a clear understanding of what the principles are that will guide Australia's decision making when it comes to suspending green zone travel by Australia. We would like to ensure that when New Zealanders travel across the Tasman they understand the circumstances that could lead to them being stuck there.Chris Bishop: In light of that answer around how there are still discussions happening with the Australians when was the last time if ever he talked to the Australian Federal Minister of Health about finalising these arrangements?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: We've had several conversations not in the last couple of weeks but we have been in contact with one another. I do fully understand his position and the position of the Australian Government. There is still some work to do at an official level though which is progressing as quickly as we can. There are still some logistical hurdles to get through: for example making sure that the operational separation at the airport is not going to lead to increasing risk—that work is ongoing—making sure that the crew separation and plane separation arrangements for green and red zone travel are robust—that work is ongoing—making sure that all of the technical issues that might arise are fully addressed; and making sure that all of the appropriate regulatory regimes and all of the issues associated with that are addressed. There are some flow-on immigration issues that could arise from free travel that is suspended. We need to understand those and make sure that the technical fixes are put in place for all of those so that everybody knows what they can expect when they travel across the Tasman.David Seymour: Is the problem that the Government still needs to do all that work or that they have but too many people would come; which one is it?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: It's neither of those things. There is still work ongoing yes. There is a degree to which we have to give people notice before we can implement some of the things that have been well worked up and we continue to work to do that as quickly as we can.