Eckhoff Gerrard: New Zealand Horticulture Export Authority Amendment Bill (No 2) — Second Reading Instruction to CommitteeCWH In Committee Third Reading 
Eckhoff Gerrard: New Zealand Horticulture Export Authority Amendment Bill (No 2) — Second Reading Instruction to CommitteeCWH In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:612;Page:9618] 
GERRARD ECKHOFF (ACT) 
: 
 Despite what some might think in listening to this debate this bill is one of the more important measures that we have around this House. It is very important because it affects the wealth of this country and it affects those who create and export that wealth and add to our overall prosperity. 
In listening to previous speeches I could not help but wonder—as I listened with my extra-sensitive perceptive ears although I am rather deaf—just how long ago it was that we sat listening to speeches some that Mr Speaker might well have heard that lauded the formation of the Dairy Board the Meat Board and indeed the ENZA Board. All these boards became single-desk authoritative bodies that we are now debating at this time. We also remember that although at the time they sounded like a very very good idea they have now passed into history. So time will tell whether I am right or wrong. I suspect that in time—perhaps 10 years; I do not know when—we will be back here wondering why we passed this particular bill. 
That aside I have absolute pride in speaking to this bill because the philosophy behind it is hugely important. Indeed the principle behind it is of equal importance. It is about the right of people to export their own product—it is not difficult; it is quite simple—and it is about innovation. It is about the right of indigenous people as I have mentioned in previous speeches to sell their product without input from overwhelming cost structures which inevitably— 
R Doug Woolerton 
: Which ones are you talking about? 
GERRARD ECKHOFF 
: We have one or two still I believe in the North Island—but we will not go there. 
The fundamental basis behind that philosophy of ensuring that people have the right to sell their product if they create it is a hugely important one. That is why I will vote against this bill out of principle not so much out of the practice or what is going to happen over the next few years. I am sure things will go along quite nicely in the interim but long term I suspect we will be back here again wondering why we passed this bill. 
I also reflect on the fact that the wine industry has become hugely more regulated. The regulations were three or maybe four pages long as I recall but now they are 100 pages. We have had concerns from the World Trade Organization about the near monopoly that Fonterra operates. In this global village of ours these are very genuine and real concerns that this House should be concerned about. Our trade Ministers of all Governments present and past go overseas exhorting the rest of the world to get rid of controls and regulations and unless we do something very similar we really cannot stand at the top of the mountain and say: “We’ve done it follow us.” We are still looking for this measure of protection. If the rest of the world sees that we are not pulling our weight or we are a little less than pure as the driven snow as we pretend we are then I suspect we will have some trouble convincing countries like America and Europe that they should do away with regulation and allow the trade of the world to interact with one another. It will find its natural balance as indeed the kiwifruit industry will under the same basis. 
It is with some ambivalence—I think that is the right word—that this bill will pass as far as I am concerned. I respect the rights of kiwifruit growers to form themselves into a bloc if that is what they wish but I wish also that other people would respect the rights of individuals—and this is what is so important—to do their own thing throughout the world if they so choose. It is very foolish people who go out there and undercut their neighbours because ultimately they will undercut themselves and that adds nothing. 
I understand why people are very much in favour of some sort of export authority. However I come back to the philosophy and the principle. It makes me feel rather sad that we have come to this situation but I do have to respect the rights of kiwifruit growers to form themselves into a grouping. That is their right and their privilege. 
Bill read a third time.