Hayes John: Estimates Debate — In CommitteeText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHayes John: Estimates Debate — In Committee[Sitting date: 30 July 2013. Volume:692;Page:12054. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JOHN HAYES (National—Wairarapa):Nine years of fiscal responsibility? I have to say to you that that is not true Mr Parker because you ran profitably for 7 of your years and the last 2 years you were in recession and you spent up large employing squillions of public servants whom the country could not afford. I listened to the negativism from across the Chamber today and I have to report to the House that I had lunch this afternoon with a visitor a member of the European Parliament Derek Vaughan along with some Labour members too. He was telling us as a group that in southern Europe at the moment they have unemployment levels among youth of 60 percent—exceeding 60 percent. And you think that we are not running this economy well? I have got news for you. This Government is building a more competitive and productive economy that is going to give New Zealand companies the tools they need to grow invest and hire more staff. New Zealand is an exporting nation and we are supporting business to successfully compete on the world stage in emerging global markets. When businesses have confidence that our economy is in good shape and in strong hands they will create real jobs that support families.In addressing the country’s finances in this section of the debate can I point out that it is critically important for New Zealand companies to be able to export and the Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan Penghu Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Cooperation or ANZTEC is increasingly important to this economy. Chinese Taipei is already New Zealand’s eighth-largest export market—our third-largest market for New Zealand beef and the fourth-biggest for fruit—and an important source of investment. Over 4 years the agreement delivers the complete removal of tariffs on 99 percent of New Zealand’s current exports to Chinese Taipei. Full duty-free access is provided for in the agreement.On entry into force the agreement will immediately take the percentage of New Zealand goods entering tariff-free from 25 percent to 70 percent saving New Zealand exporters more than $40 million in the first year. These are real figures not the illusory green mist that I heard Ms Genter talking about before. Virtually all New Zealand exports including milk powder cheese and butter and all New Zealand apple cherry and wine exports will be duty-free on entry into force. Tariffs on beef will be eliminated in 2 years—a grateful help to our New Zealand farmers. On kiwifruit the tariff will be eliminated in 3 years. In 4 years sheep honey and fish product tariffs will be eliminated and 99 percent of New Zealand trade to Taiwan will be tariff-free.This agreement is going to deliver jobs. In addition to eliminating tariffs on goods the principal gains include increased access and improved quality of access for New Zealand investment and an open skies agreement that removes the cap of seven flights a week between New Zealand and Taiwan—the first international trade agreement incorporating aviation for this country. We have a disputes settlement arrangement. We have commitments on trade and labour and trade and the environment. We have the elimination of tariffs on environmental goods enhanced cooperation on indigenous peoples’ issues and new film and TV cooperation production arrangements.The Government is also making progress on other trade agreements. The Prime Minister’s recent trip to South Korea has added new momentum to the free-trade agreement. The free-trade agreement can help both our countries to achieve economic growth and improve the finances of our economies and will create prosperity as greater levels of trade and cooperation will make us stronger and more efficient. We both want to promote growth opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises. They are the people who deliver jobs. Removing tariffs and other barriers to trade is a great way to improve the margins and spark new business. Investment is critical and crucial for successful business growth. A Korea - New Zealand free-trade agreement would help create the right environment for businesses to flourish commercialise their products and go global. We have examples of Zespri kiwifruit which is now producing there in Korea thanks to commercial collaboration with New Zealand.This Government has a very proud record of running this economy well. It is very sensibly spending. I totally support this bill.