6. Question No. 6—DefenceCLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First) to the Minister of DefenceQuestion No. 6—Defence6. CLAYTON MITCHELL (NZ First) to the Minister of Defence: What support is the New Zealand Defence Force providing to the all-of-Government COVID-19 response through Operation Protect?Hon RON MARK (Minister of Defence): Thank you Mr—SPEAKER: It looks very long looking at it from here but I hope it's not that long. Carry on.Hon RON MARK: Thank you Mr Speaker. The coalition Government recently announced a significant increase in the number of Defence Force personnel supporting the all-of-Government COVID response. In total there are approximately 1260 personnel either supporting or preparing to support tasks as part of the NZ Defence Force Operation Protect. This represents the largest military deployment since the Timor-Leste deployment and through the provision of disciplined well-trained professional personnel the Defence Force is making a difference by supporting managed isolation and quarantine facilities assisting at the maritime border and providing planning and support to other Government agencies. And of course New Zealand can be rightly proud of how the Defence Force has stepped up at this time of the country's need.Clayton Mitchell: What role do New Zealand Defence Force personnel have at the managed isolation and quarantine facilities?Hon RON MARK: A force of up to 990 New Zealand Defence Force personnel has been generated for the managed isolation and quarantine tasks with around 19 personnel at each facility once fully rolled out over the coming weeks. Across each location Defence Force personnel are providing facilities management administrative support and increasingly scaled-up security support. The recent increases in Defence Force personnel deployed to the facilities will allow for the security of high-risk areas such as entry and exit points and public areas reducing reliance on private security guards and of course Air Commodore Digby" Darryn Webb is currently head of the managed isolation and quarantine within the all-of-Government response.Clayton Mitchell: What role do New Zealand Defence Force personnel have at the maritime border?Hon RON MARK: There are 80 Defence Force personnel assisting Customs at the maritime border by maintaining security of entry points and exit points in relation to ports and ships that have arrived in New Zealand. They are providing information and engaging with people to ensure they understand the relevant isolation and quarantine rules; monitoring and if necessary directing the movement of persons at ports and on ships; and monitoring compliance at ports and on ships in relation to people disembarking physical distancing rules and rules in relation to the wearing of personal protective equipment. Clayton Mitchell: What proposals has he seen to further increase the New Zealand Defence Force role in the COVID-19 response?Hon RON MARK: The discipline rigour and operational expertise in the New Zealand Defence Force provide—what they provide has clearly been needed and they have proved their effectiveness. As I've said many times I've consistently been highly supportive of the military's strong role as part of the COVID-19 response as have my colleagues in New Zealand First. I was particularly impressed by the proposal put forward by the leader of New Zealand First the Rt Hon Winston Peters in which he suggested a new border protection force be established—SPEAKER: Order! Order! Order! The member knows he has stretched beyond his responsibilities as a member of the current ministry.Hon RON MARK: Oh sorry but can I finish?SPEAKER: No no the member's finished."