Tabuteau FletcherFLETCHER TABUTEAU (Deputy Leader—NZ First): I intend to take a short call on the member's bill this evening but it is beholden upon me to stand here this evening in this House and acknowledge the sponsor member Todd Muller this evening; a fine gentleman actually. Those are strong words in this House but you cannot discard the contribution from the member not only in this House but in the way he undertakes his business in his electorate and around the country on behalf of—Hon Iain Lees-Galloway: Leadership material. FLETCHER TABUTEAU: Yeah leadership material. And actually Minister that is actually what I wanted to say tonight. That is my contribution this evening if the Speaker allows me to go down that path?DEPUTY SPEAKER: No I won't. I'd like you to talk to the bill. FLETCHER TABUTEAU: Can I press and see if you push the buzzer on me?DEPUTY SPEAKER: I would like you to speak to the bill.FLETCHER TABUTEAU: This member brought to the House a piece of legislation where—I would first start perhaps on the nature of those who would benefit from it: the companies who define themselves as cooperatives. And what I want to say this evening is that actually the cooperatives model not only in New Zealand but around the world has proven itself to be an incredibly powerful and empowering business model. I think New Zealand has seen that first-hand and I won't name names this evening because that's unnecessary. Those members in the House can think of several large examples of cooperative business models operating quite successfully not only on behalf of their membership but on behalf of New Zealand Inc.". Let's be clear about tonight's debate: I'm standing up because to be fair to the sponsor member there is a small modicum of debate around the confusion. Mr Karatat—Mr Rino Karatat oh Jesus I'm sorry. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Tirikatene. FLETCHER TABUTEAU: Mr Tirikatene outlined how the different shareholders—and we spoke earlier about the wet and dry shareholders—Hon Members: Come on Fletcher. FLETCHER TABUTEAU: Yeah sorry guys—and that's what we're trying to define tonight and that's what the member has brought to the House. Actually it was observed by the same member who submitted on the legislation—there was an absence of contribution from the sector because actually some of the companies who originally thought they were caught up in this had decided actually we can figure out a way around it. But actually New Zealand First stands up tonight and acknowledges the fact that there's still some debate on that; there is still that question mark. Hon Member: No more question marks. FLETCHER TABUTEAU: And why have that question mark when we don't need to? When we're dealing with essentially cooperatives who are the backbone of New Zealand business and a great way for New Zealand beneficiaries to benefit from those endeavours. So the reality of it is we have a member who is—and this is non-political—a great leader in his community who has shown those leadership qualities. Actually that's essentially why I am standing up tonight: to acknowledge that to acknowledge the member and his efforts—not just in this bill but in all the work he does on behalf of his electorate—and to say that we can't have that question mark sitting over those companies; they don't need it they don't want it. And so on behalf of New Zealand First can I say we do support this legislation this evening. Thank you very much."