Andersen GinnyGINNY ANDERSEN (Labour): Kia ora. Tēnā koe e Te Māngai. Thank you for the opportunity of speaking on the Racing Reform Bill. I was lucky enough to be one of the select committee members that listened to the wide variety of submissions on this key piece of legislation to restore the financial viability to the New Zealand racing industry.Let's just pause there for a moment to acknowledge the importance—not only the economic value that the racing industry provides New Zealanders but also the social benefits of coming together and enjoying a family day out at the races. This important piece of legislation led by the Rt Hon Winston Peters has really worked incredibly quickly to make sure that we have the right infrastructure and the transitional governance elements in place to ensure that the future of the New Zealand racing industry is sustainable. While the process has been quick I would like to point out that it has been a thorough process. The Messara report in itself received well over I think 1700 submissions in its own consultation round. So in addition to that consultation process we've also seen a full range of submissions coming to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee led by Darroch Ball. Through those submissions that I heard it was a resounding voice of support from the racing industry that this legislation was most desperately needed as there was money being lost on a daily basis. When we look at New Zealand on that factor and we compare some of the returns that those in the racing industry are seeing in New Zealand compared to their counterparts in Australia we see that we have a long way to catch up in that space. This legislation enables New Zealand's racing industry to be fit for the future.In terms of the Messara report it was really good to see that it outlined those key areas that this legislation begins the journey of enacting and making those key transitions. So due to the concerns of the industry the Messara report has responded and outlined some of the key areas that we need to be moving to make sure there's improvement made: making sure that there's leadership and management to pursue a more effective decision-making process; incentivising investment in racing and providing the means by which prize money for the racing industry codes can approximately double and that's the point I was previously making about our counterparts in Australia; and thirdly supplying the capital necessary for upgrading tracks and facilities. That was the voice we heard from the racing industry that was so much needed—the infrastructure and the investment and some of those key facilities to enable their grounds to be able to be used year round and for there to be good facilities for people to enjoy. One of the submissions that we also heard—there have been concerns raised around the provision for gambling harm. It's important that we outline that this bill also provides for the issues that were raised in concern to the harms of gambling. So the Racing Industry Transition Agency with the nifty acronym RITA which this piece of legislation sets up will continue to focus on harm prevention and minimisation as well as contributing to the problem gambling levy that funds problem gambling in New Zealand. There is unlikely to be a significant increase in the overall number of sports for which bets are offered as a result of the sports betting change. The bill introduces new money specifically to prevent and minimise harm from gambling. Included in this is a brand-new measure that a proportion of the additional funds generated by the repeal of the betting levy will be set aside. By setting aside this will support industry-led initiatives on focusing and also preventing and minimising gambling harm. The second point on this area that I'd like to make is that the additional revenue generated from offshore charges and from other changes in this bill will also feed into funding measures to prevent and minimise harm from gambling under the current problem gambling levy. So it's important to clarify that those points were covered off as part of the submissions that we heard on this bill. The part of this bill that sets out—it's the first stage in initiating some of the most important changes we see. It's essential that the transitional governance provisions are enacted to ensure that the industry is financially sustainable. And once these initial governance arrangements are put in place there will be a second bill introduced that will provide additional detail to enable the New Zealand racing industry to be fully equipped for the future.It's important to note that New Zealand has a great history with racing and it's important that we continue along this track in the future. The best thing about this bill is it sets up New Zealand for a future where we will be able to continue to enjoy racing and to ensure that we can have a financially sustainable racing industry in New Zealand. Through this bill this first piece of legislation making this money available will provide some of the much needed financial relief and immediate increase to revenue for the racing industry that will enable those areas to keep functioning. That was most definitely what we on the select committee heard loud and clear. I would like to commend the Rt Hon Winston Peters for his effort on his behalf. I would like to acknowledge Messara and his report and the work that has gone on in this area. I would like to also acknowledge the officials that have worked incredibly hard to bring this legislation to this point in time so quickly and I would like to commend this bill to the House.