Macindoe Tim: ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Bill — In Committee 
Macindoe Tim: ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:655;Page:4690] 
TIM MACINDOE (National—Hamilton West) 
: 
 I rise to speak in support of and to focus my comments on Part 2 of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Bill. Unlike most of the other Government and Opposition speakers on this particular measure I did not have the privilege of sitting on the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee as this particular agreement received detailed consideration and as the committee heard from those who had made submissions on it. But it was interesting to hear my colleague Dr Hutchison a highly respected veteran of the committee report that some submitters felt that the bill may not go far enough. That is probably understandable given the perspective of the submitters but it seems clear that there is pretty broad agreement that the bill—and in particular Part 2 of the bill—represents a job very well done and a great step forward for our country. 
As we reflect in detail on the provisions of Part 2 of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Bill I acknowledge again the fine work of Ministers past and present and officials that has culminated in the agreement on this part which was reached in Thailand in February this year. As has been noted by previous speakers the purpose of Part 2 is to amend the principal Act to provide for a system of issuing New Zealand certificates of origin in relation to goods being exported to countries that are parties to the agreement that establishes the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area. They are important safeguards not only for New Zealand’s producers and exporters in authorising the chief executive of the New Zealand Customs Service to facilitate the authorised issue of New Zealand certificates of origin to goods that will be exported to our ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area partners but also for those who will import those goods. This part of the agreement gives them the security and assurance of knowing that they can rely on the quality and origin of those products. 
As an export-dependent nation our reputation for quality and reliability is obviously paramount. We can stand up in our corner of the world and be very proud of our long-established record as an honest and quality-focused exporter of goods. Clause 13 of Part 2 of the bill focuses specifically on the issuing of New Zealand certificates of origin currently designated for goods for export to China. The value and projected future value of our exports to China is almost incalculable and tremendous work has been done on developing those arrangements in recent times. Indeed the Prime Minister led the mission to China just a few months ago thereby underlining its continuing importance. I salute everybody involved with that mission for the development of the agreement. The provisions of clause 13 demonstrate how rapidly our trading arrangements are advancing and improving from our perspective. 
Hon David Cunliffe 
: Is there anything the member disagrees with in this bill? Any science to add? Criticisms perhaps? Why is the member here? 
TIM MACINDOE 
: I say to Mr Cunliffe that I absolutely adore this measure. I am delighted to be here to speak in favour of it. I am so thrilled that he too is enjoying my speech and I invite him to continue listening while I continue to explore the hidden depths subtleties and intricacies of this important measure. 
Clause 13 of the bill amends the heading to section 64A of the existing Customs and Excise— 
Hon David Cunliffe 
: It is good to see the member enjoying himself anyway. 
TIM MACINDOE 
: I am having a great time. I am glad that Mr Cunliffe is also enjoying my speech. It is heart-warming as we come close to rising at the end of another sitting week to know that the House is in such a degree of unanimity and agreement. Excitement about an important measure is definitely stimulating and rewarding for me. 
We are amending section 64A of the existing Customs and Excise Act 1996 by omitting “China” and substituting the words “a party to free trade agreement”. I am sure that listeners in the crowded public gallery at the moment will be heartened to learn about the evolution of this aspect of the agreement. It creates the criterion that the chief executive of the New Zealand Customs Service must measure applications against before the Customs Service can certify a body to issue certificates. That is a very important provision. It also enables the creation of regulations that will set prescribed terms and conditions for certification set the criteria and set the application forms and fees.