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Swarbrick Chlöe; Allan Kiritapu; Dean Jacqui; O'Connor GregCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green—Auckland Central): I just thought it worthwhile addressing some of the allegations made about me as the Auckland Central MP earlier. My engagements with the police in the electorate have demonstrated very clearly that it is an area where there is quite a concentration of alcohol harm. So on the point of particularly police engagement and noting of course that they are one of the kind of core State organs that are responsible for responding to alcohol harm I was just wondering if the Minister could possibly step us through the engagement with the police with regard to the drafting of this leg.Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN (Minister of Justice): Yes. Well look I'll give a high-level response then I might come back for a second bite at the cherry. So police have been engaged essentially at all stages. The officials from the ministry—they looked at the examples from the previous World Cups where we've used this type of bespoke legislative route. They engaged with them at the outset to see whether there was anything that could be done better or whether there were any changes that they thought would be useful. One of those changes which did come through that process was—a lot of people applied for these licences and then they didn't actually utilise them. But it meant that a lot of energy from the police force was spent running around trying to check a range of premises but they weren't in operation. So that's one of the changes that we've made to this bill comparatively to the last.The feedback that I've also received is that when the previous World Cups have been on they felt that this was very clear to measure and clear to monitor and they felt like they could input the resources required to undertake the policing. I might just check this but I understand I don't think that we saw any kind of particular rise or incidence of rises as a consequence of this legislation. I'll just clarify that. Yes. So at all stages essentially police have been engaged.Parts 1 and 2 the Schedule and clauses 1 to 3 agreed to.Bill to be reported without amendment.House resumed.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jacqui Dean): Mr Speaker the committee has considered the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Rugby World Cup 2023 Extended Trading Hours) Amendment Bill and reports it without amendment.I move That the report be adopted.Motion agreed to.Report adopted.DEPUTY SPEAKER: This bill is set down for third reading immediately.
Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Rugby World Cup 2023 Extended Trading Hours) Amendment Bill — In Committee
Smith Damien; Allan KiritapuDAMIEN SMITH (ACT): I just wanted to ask the Minister with this mechanism—and this is for clarity and maybe it's been covered elsewhere. With regards to restrictions at a local alcohol policy level as well as district licensing committee rules and determinations is this seven-day mechanism and connectivity with the police force—can that lead to any problems at a local level or has it all been thought through? Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN (Minister of Justice): That's a really useful question for the committee to consider. The information and advice that we've received is that given the contained nature and the period of time by which these provisions are required—so it would look different if we were to approach it on the status quo basis by which licensing occurs now because the member may or may not know that there are provisions that local government can utilise within particular patches. I think where we as a Government landed was that it was best to take a universal approach to ensure that all New Zealanders have the same opportunity I guess to celebrate when our lads come back victorious. But in terms of whether we'd consider this type of approach in a broader sense or for some broader more significant reform I wouldn't take it as an indication that that's necessarily the politic of where we are going. It's just the way that we've approached these things in the past.
Goldsmith Paul; Allan KiritapuHon PAUL GOLDSMITH (National): I thank the Minister—just one question; I won't delay the committee any further. I do note that the legislation as it is requires premises to close for the sale of alcohol 30 minutes after the end of a game. I'm just thinking of the context of a great All Blacks victory. Are you sure half an hour is right and not quarter of an hour or one hour in terms of limiting the celebration factor? I'd like you to just elaborate a little bit on the appropriateness of that time.Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN (Minister of Justice): Thank you to the member for the comment. How long is enough time for celebrating? I can say that my personal experience was with some of your colleagues over in the UK after the Black Caps won the semi-final. We were all over in the UK and I think it took a little longer than 30 minutes.Ian McKelvie: Who—your colleagues?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: I think Mr McKelvie was there as well! Yes sometimes celebrations can go on but we took advice and this was indeed the experience that has occurred under previous bills—that that was deemed an appropriate amount of time by police in terms of them being able to police the issue and to ensure that the festivities could occur but again keep a mindful eye on the least-harm approach. Go the All Blacks!
Swarbrick Chlöe; Allan KiritapuCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green—Auckland Central): I appreciate the Minister's reflection particularly on what in drug law reform lingo would be called safe consumption spaces" and the ability to have a kind of duty of care and impose responsibility with regards to the sale and supply. Again I just for the benefit of other members make it really clear that I'm not standing here as a prohibitionist or a wowser; I don't think anybody can accuse me of that but what we're standing for is an evidence-based logically consistent approach to substances in this country which reduces harm.So just to add the final point as was raised in other components of speaking on this bill I have a question for the Minister about whether—as actually many other members spoke to—there was consideration of actually longer-term changes to the legislation given that we've had to do this several times now in the context of pretty urgent legislation in front of the House. Because it seems to me that that speaks to at the very least a fundamental flaw in how the majority of the House seems to interpret the legislation at present especially when it comes to major sporting events. Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN (Minister of Justice): Thank you Madam Chair and thank you to the member. I want to just acknowledge—no look we know you're not a prohibitionist but have always been an ardent advocate for the right health outcomes for our communities. So I want to acknowledge you and your leadership in this area. With respect to the way that we've approached this—there has been a bespoke approach each World Cup depending on what's happening. We've considered whether or not we do some more substantive amendment that enables us just to be able to kind of flick on a switch—turn it off. If the FIFA Women's World Cup had been at a different time and a different jurisdiction perhaps we would have sought something like this as well to you know give parity to sports and gender.I think that's something I guess—as the member would be well aware we are looking at a whole range of bespoke amendments. Something that sits probably well with me with this particular piece of legislation in alignment with the ideological approach that we're taking in other areas is that this is something I asked quite extensive questions of about how the experience had gone in previous occasions. The response that I received was that this was a really well-regulated had been probably de minimis harm approach and can change. So in terms of those types of issues that was where I garnered some confidence from the advice that I've received. That said as you'll be well aware there is more work to be done across the board when it comes to the impacts of alcohol harm and how we're providing for licensing in communities and we're really committed to that."
Dean Jacqui; Little AndrewCHAIRPERSON (Hon Jacqui Dean): Before the Minister—if he cares to I just need to get the procedure right. My fault I should have done it before. So I'll just put the question: it is that Parts 1 and 2 the Schedule and clauses 1 to 3 stand part.Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Defence): Thank you Madam Chair. I thank the member for her question. And look she is correct: the medical evidence on alcohol and the prevalence of alcohol in our communities and in people's diets effectively is that it does pose a risk. It is the most commonly consumed drug—and it is a drug—and it is a cause of many cancers particularly abdominal and oesophageal and like cancers. So we know that there is a risk of it.In terms of social harms we know it is a source of some social harms as well. I think where the presence of alcohol or the availability of alcohol even on a commercial basis at venues for events like this I am confident means there is a much more constructive and positive social environment in which the consumption of alcohol takes place. This particular law makes the extra availability of alcohol confined to a particular event that has significant social effects for pretty much the whole of the country and many of those who are visiting here at the time. I think there is some consequence as a result of those factors that means that the risk of harm is somewhat reduced as a consequence.But the member is correct both on the earlier comments and I think underlying her question is that alcohol poses a continuing risk regardless.
Swarbrick ChlöeParts 1 and 2 the Schedule and clauses 1 to 3 CHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green—Auckland Central): Just in the context of the legislation in front of us and obviously in seeking leave that was about attempting to try and weave together both Parts 1 and 2 with regard to the main amendments and related amendments—those are the trading hours—but also then speaking to the extended trading hours as outlined in Part 1. I was just wondering if the Minister perhaps could reflect on those points that I was making earlier with regards to the regulatory impact statement (RIS) and then perhaps unpack some of the evidence or research behind it here just for his benefit but also for the benefit of those who may be following along at home. On page 2 of the RIS he'll find in the second paragraph—and I quote from here—Alcohol is a harmful drug that contributes to a wide range of health social and justice-related harms and subsequent costs for society. The evidence-base also clearly connects increases in alcohol harm related with both extended trading hours and sporting events." Obviously as alluded to before it then goes on to say "At the same time the men's Rugby World Cup likely presents a significant commercial opportunity for on-licensed and club-licensed premises as well as being a highlight on the calendar of rugby fans." So to that effect I was wondering if the Minister could just make it kind of explicit to the House that the trade-off here was knowing full well that the evidence makes it clear that there is a connection between alcohol-related harm and extended trading hours but that it was chosen here that that commerciality was far more important."
Swarbrick Chlöe; Dean JacquiCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green—Auckland Central): Madam Chair I seek leave for the debate to be taken as one part.CHAIRPERSON (Hon Jacqui Dean): Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is none.
O'Connor Greg; Little Andrew; Smith DamienIn CommitteePart 1 Main amendmentsCHAIRPERSON (Greg O'Connor): Members the House is in committee on the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Rugby World Cup 2023 Extended Trading Hours) Amendment Bill. We come first to Part 1.Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Defence): I don't think it's necessary to take too much of the time of the committee as members have already canvassed in the previous stages of the bill. This is a piece of legislation that has previously passed through this House. I remember well when I was Minister of Justice shepherding an identical piece of legislation through the House for this tournament in a different part of the world. So there is nothing that is new here and therefore I think members can be reassured the public can be reassured that the House has provided very close examination of this legislation on previous occasions.DAMIEN SMITH (ACT): I'd just refer to for clarity—I agree with the Minister—in Part 1 clause 45B(2) seven days' written notice. Are those business days or calendar days?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Defence): Madam Chair sorry I didn't quite get the part of the bill that the member was referring to.DAMIEN SMITH (ACT): Yeah sorry if you go to page 3 clause 45C(2) it says: the licensee has given the territorial authority and the Police at least 7 days' written notice—". The question I have is: are those business days or are those calendar days?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Defence): Thank you Madam Chair. Before I go any further can I just acknowledge that member's contribution to the House. I've always enjoyed his contributions not only his Irish lilt but his Irish wit but also his astute examination of the subject matters on which he has spoken including obviously this as well. So I can confirm to the member that in the primary legislation which this legislation amends the reference to "days" is to working days."
Strange JamieJAMIE STRANGE (Labour—Hamilton East): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'd like to echo the words of the previous member Joseph Mooney: we are a country that loves our sport. I'm a big sports fan myself. I grew up playing sport—actually I grew up playing rugby but never got over 70 kilograms so there was never any future for me in that game. So I switched to football—and very passionate about football. And I also acknowledge as the member was saying the women's world cup—how honoured we are to have that here in New Zealand. I encourage people to go out and buy your tickets.In terms of this bill it's very much a common-sense bill. We've heard that from previous speakers. It's something that we regularly do. I'd be interested to see you know if we can look to expand at times around other sports rather than just rugby. I mean I remember growing up in rural New Zealand and it was basically rugby in the winter if you're a guy; if you're a woman or a girl you play netball. Then in summer it was cricket. That was literally it really. Not many other options. We have a lot more diversity in our sport these days which is a good thing. It just encourages more people to be active.In terms of my family we've got a bit of a rugby history. Actually my grandfather had three goals in life. He grew up in Collingwood just by Nelson. Three goals: one was to milk 300 cows one was to produce 100000 pounds of butterfat in a calendar year and the third was to be president of the New Zealand Rugby Union. Pretty lofty goals for someone from a small town in Collingwood and he achieved all three. He was president in 1984. So I'd like to acknowledge my grandfather Murray Strange—my late grandfather—and commend this bill to the House.
Mooney JosephJOSEPH MOONEY (National—Southland): Thank you very much Madam Speaker. It's a pleasure to rise and speak to this short but sensible bill which will help folks enjoy the Rugby World Cup which is in I think only 51 days' time—the opening match when France versus New Zealand kicks off at Stade de France. So not long to go.Look the key issue here is that Wellington is 10 hours ahead of New Zealand. So the time the games will be played in France will not be the same time that people would be normally out and about on occasions. And so this bill addresses that point so that premises can have extended trading hours so they can open their doors folks can get together enjoying the sociability that comes with watching a great rugby game and have a few drinks which is the sort of traditional Kiwi way. It's not just the Kiwi way to be fair but the traditional way to enjoy watching a rugby game for many people in this country and around the world. So this little bill makes it easier. This has been reported back from the Justice Committee. I was not on the Justice Committee. I note that they proposed a few minor amendments but they were happy with the legislation design and didn't think there was anything that needed to be brought to the attention of the House in that respect. I think I'll take this opportunity as well just to note that we're a country that loves sport and tomorrow night the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 kicks off right here in New Zealand. We have our very first game right here in New Zealand and that's going to be quite exciting. It's the world's largest global women's event and the fact that it's being hosted in New Zealand and Australia is something that's quite phenomenal and something that I'm looking forward to seeing. About a billion people are estimated to watch this on TV and they will no doubt have the same thing. Our timing schedule won't be the same as theirs and they'll be wanting to get together and watch the games that are happening right here in New Zealand. So this is a great thing that brings people together both in New Zealand and around the world and this is a little bill that helps make it happen. So with that I'll commend this bill to the House.
Nash StuartHon STUART NASH (Labour—Napier): Thank you very much Madam Speaker. It's a pleasure to stand up and support this bill first and foremost. Unlike every one of the National members who have spoken on this who said that they were going to sit down for a cup of tea and a butty I'm going to be going to the pub I'm going to be there with my mates and I'm going to have a beer while watching rugby. It's something I've always done. Like the vast majority of Kiwis I enjoy it. And unlike the Green member the vast majority of people that I know the vast majority of Kiwis that I know actually drink alcohol sensibly. So to say that you don't want to have this bill in place because there are people who have issues with alcohol just misses the point completely Chlöe. And the thing that I would argue: it astounds me that you as the MP for Auckland Central can stand up in this House and say that you do not support a bill that the vast majority of your people your constituents certainly your businesses in the electorate would support 100 percent.This is a good bill. It's a practical bill. It's a pragmatic bill. It speaks to the vast majority of Kiwis who drink sensibly who enjoy rugby who want to go out with their mates and have a really good time. And I celebrate that because I'll be one of them. I commend this bill to the House.
Eagle PaulPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai): Thank you Madam Speaker and it's a pleasure to be talking about the—well anything rugby but the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Rugby World Cup 2023 Extended Trading Hours) Amendment Bill.Look I agree. If we can sing the same song across the House about alcohol wow great—but we can't. We've got some issues here that have been well covered and that's everything from games being broadcast live outside of the usual trading hours through to during eligibility for licensed premises to be open. So the hospo sector comes to us each time and says Look we have to do something." and this is why we're here in the House to do this this afternoon. And just for those—and I was thinking of my colleague the member for Whangārei about rugby and I just so happen to have a New Zealand Rugby magazine. Not that I was intending to read this in the House but it is issue 223 the June/July 2023 edition. I'll give this to the member and we can educate her about rugby and the Rugby World Cup of 2023 in France. I commend this bill to the House."
McKelvie Ian; Dean JacquiIAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei): Thank you Madam Speaker. It's not often that peace breaks out across the House but not only has peace broken out across the House but I find myself agreeing with the youngest member of the House which is very unusual.But her point she made about the alcohol—and in fact Arena Williams made the same point I think is the crux of the matter here because we shouldn't have to come back to Parliament every time we want to alter a little piece of legislation to enable people to have I think in the words of one speaker fun. I find it extraordinary. And proof of that is that in the last couple of weeks I've sat up all night to watch the last day of the Ashes Test and I sat up all night to watch the last day of Wimbledon as well. And the reason I sat up all night to watch the last day of Wimbledon was because it was the most extraordinary game of tennis I'd ever seen but also I had to sit through a select committee the next morning and it didn't really matter whether I was concentrating or not—ha ha! So it was a hardship. But I think the point really is that this bill has come back to the House simply because we don't have our alcohol laws and many other laws in place in a manner that enables both our society and our business operators to operate in a manner that not only is sensible from a community perspective sensible from a patron or client's perspective but sensible from a New Zealand perspective. And I think the real issue here is that we need to be able to trust those people who are entrusted with I guess managing the alcohol laws and then consequently of operating within them. We need to better trust them to make decisions that are in the best interests of our community and the sooner we get to do that the better.I think all other issues of this bill have been touched on pretty strongly. I think that it's eminently sensible that we should have to do this. But I think it is disappointing that this is the third time this particular issue has come up in the House—and it will come up again in four years' time if we don't sort it out or three years' time or whenever the next World Cup is. You could argue that there are many many other events that these special circumstances should apply to as well. Properly constructed legislation with some decent—I think one member used the words scientific basis" to the research and stuff behind it would actually make quite a big difference. I'm not going to talk for any longer but I think it's a bill worthy of support and it would be nice to see some changes made to that that mean we don't have to bring it back to the House again. Thank you.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Paul Eagle—five-minute call. Thank you."
Williams Arena; Dean JacquiARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa): Good on the member before me Chlöe Swarbrick. That was a great speech. But this legislation presents a good case for why in some circumstances the Government should act quickly to enable shopkeepers to enable business people to enable pubs and to enable sports clubs to just make it easier for people to have fun and enjoy alcohol while they are watching the game. And in these cases where we make special legislation around Rugby World Cups it's because there is in Schedule 4 in this bill—which members of the House will be looking at now—a schedule of when the games will be because this will all be going on in France at funny times of the day for New Zealand which our licences don't allow for it. There are practical reasons why we need to make law to enable people to enjoy these games in the middle of the night when these places wouldn't usually be open and when they would need to be asking for many many licences in one go. Is it appropriate for us to do this every time? Well that's a question that I hope members of the House will engage in in the third reading. We had some great contributions in the first reading of this bill around the need for progressive change and a rewriting of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. And may I allude to the work of the Justice Committee in hearing from submitters who also called for that and from the advisers who worked very very carefully and very very hard on this bill to give us some advice about further change that is needed in this area. But on this bill I would say it's a good one. We should pass it. It makes sense. Let's get on with it.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jacqui Dean): Ian McKelvie—five minute call.
Henderson EmilyDr EMILY HENDERSON (Labour—Whangārei): Kia ora e te Māngai o te Whare. I rise in support of this bill. As some members of the House may be aware from my previous contributions in this matter rugby and sport in general are not my strong suits. I am aware that this one involves the round ball—or is it the pointy ball? It's one of them but it's very important. Rugby is extremely important and I am very supportive of this bill.It has been a really interesting process to work through and I do want to thank the submitters. We had some really engaged sensible submissions from people from the industry and from hospitality as well as some people who raised issues around the need not to encourage problem drinking. But we will I am sure be addressing that in the third reading and I look forward to talking about that. But suffice it to say at this point that we are assured that in the previous runs of this arrangement—in previous World Cups—there is no sign that it increased problem drinking or criminal behaviour.I have now since this reading and since the last time I addressed this House on the matter a personal reason to support this bill further which is that my husband and his two best friends from childhood have decided that they will be journeying to France to Toulouse to watch the game. So I will be watching particularly myself not only for the wonder that is rugby but also in the hope that I will catch a glimpse of Thomas. I commend this bill to the House.
Walters VanushiVANUSHI WALTERS (Labour—Upper Harbour): Thank you Madam Speaker. That was very entertaining; I did enjoy that contribution from the Hon Paul Goldsmith. I won't match his contribution by telling you what snacks I enjoy while I'm watching sport. I thought I might speak to the select committee report very briefly. There are two changes that we made at the Justice Committee and we didn't have many submissions but they were really to point. We had 10 submissions and we heard from three submitters. The first change we made was changing the term outside area" to "open area". This is new section 45E(1)(c) in clause 4 of the bill which restricts the use of outdoor areas and you can imagine why our first discussion was whether that was valid given that entities were still subject to having a code or an agreement which restricted noise. We got over that hurdle and then went to look at what the meaning of "outside area" was and as it wasn't defined in the Act we then looked to a resolution. There was an interesting drafting question which was whether a piece of legislation that's only intended to stand for a period of time should define a term like this. We decided that it shouldn't and we should learn from existing terminology which led us to adopt the term "open area" instead. So that was a fascinating discussion that we had on that term. Then the second change was—and again this came up from what we heard from submitters. They spoke to us about non-compliance with the notices that entities were supposed to make visible in terms of the extended hours that they intended to operate. So we proposed inserting new section 45F in clause 4 to ensure that there was no confusion about liability in those cases.There was another set of issues that was raised with the select committee which was deemed to be outside the scope of the bill. I will speak to those issues as well perhaps in the third reading because I do think they're relevant to the bigger areas of alcohol harm that we must as a House grapple with. But in this instance I think for our part the select committee as a whole in terms of all the participants there believe that this was a valid carve-out area and I commend this bill to the House."
Kerekere ElizabethDr ELIZABETH KEREKERE: Point of order. Kia ora. I wish to correct a vote that was placed in my name for the third reading of the Therapeutic Products Bill.SPEAKER: So you're seeking leave for that?Dr ELIZABETH KEREKERE: Yes I seek leave of the House to correct that.SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There appears to be none.Dr ELIZABETH KEREKERE: I wish to record my vote as one vote in opposition to the third reading of the bill.SPEAKER: Thank you. The report will be corrected.
Rurawhe AdrianVOTINGCorrectionsSPEAKER: Members I have a number of corrections to votes—[Interruption] Order! I am on my feet. When the House was in committee on the Therapeutic Products Bill the result of the vote on the question that Dr Shane Reti's amendments to Schedule 1 as set out on Supplementary Order Paper 369 be agreed to was incorrectly recorded as Ayes 42 Noes 71. The correct result is Ayes 41 Noes 71.Also in the vote on the question that Schedule 4 as amended stand part the vote was incorrectly recorded as Ayes 72 Noes 41. The correct result is Ayes 74 Noes 41.When the House was in committee on the Fuel Industry Amendment Bill the result of the vote on the question that Parts 1 and 2 the Schedule and clauses 1 to 3 stand part was incorrectly recorded as Ayes 65 Noes 44. The correct result is Ayes 75 Noes 44. The record will be corrected.
Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Rugby World Cup 2023 Extended Trading Hours) Amendment Bill — Second Reading
Halbert ShananSHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote): Thank you Madam Speaker. I am one of many MPs that are deeply committed to addressing the cost of living challenges in front of many Kiwis at the moment. When we look at the basics of what people need absolutely the cost of petrol at the pump is one of those priorities. I find it quite naïve that some people in this House think that Government shouldn't be involved in addressing the market challenges—market challenges that were identified back in 2019 when the Commerce Commission published its retail engine fuel market study. This piece of legislation adopts the recommendation from that study to address the issues that were raised. And I think it's responsible of a Government like ours to step in and address those. So this is taking action to that; it's enabling and enacting those recommendations. So with that I commend it to the House.
Lorck AnnaANNA LORCK (Labour—Tukituki): Thank you Madam Speaker. I too would like to commend this bill to the House. It talks about encouraging competition and having a regulatory backstop. In the end the people that will benefit from greater competition are always consumers. As somebody who does own a business and has been very much in a position to see what competition does—and thrives—this is what we need and it will result in lower fuel prices. I commend this bill to the House.
Eagle PaulPAUL EAGLE (Labour—Rongotai): Thank you Madam Speaker. I'm pleased to be taking the Māori Party slot on the Fuel Industry Amendment Bill third reading. I was just reflecting on what people were saying this morning. But just reflecting on the reasons for this bill if we reflect back to 2022 and the high price in volatility there was some indication then that some regulatory backstop mechanism was necessary. So hence here we are and I want to commend this bill to the House.
Roberts Angela; Salesa JennyANGELA ROBERTS (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. It is a pleasure to rise and take a call on the Fuel Industry Amendment Bill. I'm just concerned that there are people across the House who have clearly demonstrated today that they didn't get past year 10 economics because in year 12 what you learn is you learn about market failure and how appropriate it is for the Government to intervene at that point. This bill really clearly helps the Government to intervene with this market failure. So when you have a lack of competition there's a lot of causes of that. One of the causes of that—for those who missed out on year 12 economics—is barriers to entry and this bill helps to reduce those barriers to entry and improve the competitive environment. That's one of the causes. One of the symptoms is prices and this bill helps improve transparency and when that doesn't work it gives us a really good nimble responsive regime to respond to that. Consumers want their purchasing power back. I commend this bill to the House.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Jenny Salesa): The next call is a split call. I call on Todd Muller for five minutes.
Bennett GlenGLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth): Kia ora Madam Speaker. It's disappointing to hear the rhetoric from the other side of the House when we are looking here around something we want to promote: competition in this space around the fuel industry. I want to ensure that our wholesale engine-fuel markets are in a place—and when you have people like the Gull NPD and Waitomo retailers all speaking in favour of what this can actually do—the cost-saving retailers that they are—I think there is something to be listened to by those retailers who are actually supporting what we are doing on this side of the House.It was a privilege to be part of the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee that looked into this legislation that explored it. And I think most of what's been said has been said so therefore I commend the Fuel Industry Amendment Bill to the House.
Chen NaisiNAISI CHEN (Labour): Thank you Madam Speaker. After that speech I think it is quite challenging for us to sit here in this House and listen—especially to a member who otherwise I don't think does much reading at all whether that's reading of the bill or reading of the news that about two hours ago announced that inflation has just reached 6 percent in this quarter.So this is a bill that we are extremely proud of after the research that the Commerce Commission has done into the fuel market. This is a bill that the Commerce Commission had recommended in terms of making sure that Kiwis get a fair deal at the pump—our small economy of 5 million New Zealanders—when competition doesn't happen the way it should purely sometimes because of scale and other reasons as well. Sometimes because of actors in bad faith or other things—and also geographic area in the world as well actually—we often don't get the amount of competition that we deserve as New Zealanders. So I don't agree with the member Stuart Smith who's just assumed his seat and who says that the market always solves itself. By nature companies are there to try and look after their bottom line so this is why we need to make sure that we have a Government that stands up for its people and that stands up for New Zealanders. So that's why I commend this bill to the House.
McLellan TraceyDr TRACEY McLELLAN (Labour—Banks Peninsula): Thank you Madam Speaker and may I say that that contribution felt as long as the work it's taken to get this bill done—over many generations almost.It's a pleasure to take the final call on the Therapeutic Products Bill. It's something that we're really proud of. I want to start my contribution by acknowledging the Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall for all of the work that she's done. And she herself in her earlier contribution also wanted to acknowledge the work of the former Minister of Health the Hon Andrew Little. I also would like to acknowledge all the officials who we saw firsthand putting in such a power of work—this bill is a detailed and meaty piece of work—and I'd like to acknowledge all of the people on the Health Committee for their camaraderie and their help. The Medicines Act has served us well over an extended period of time not so well in more recent times as it certainly hasn't kept pace with international developments in healthcare. Healthcare is exciting it's innovative. It's always going to change and it's really really important that our legislation is there to scaffold that and support it. Consumer safety is always going to be a number one priority and we make no apologies for that. So this is a modern fit for purpose regulation of medical devices and of cell gene and tissue therapies. It's importantly flexible enough to support that innovation that we know is important and ensure that there's an effective control over those fast-developing technologies.As the Minister herself said earlier on the bill is therefore a once-in-a-generation chance for a health system to make this change. We talked about the fact that there were changes at the second reading and we know the Minister introduced a Supplementary Order Paper that exempts small-scale natural health products and manufacturers removes the obligations that the bill might apply to rongoā practitioners and services and sensibly and proportionately addresses some of those concerns around advertising. I just want to touch on one of the really important changes that the select committee itself made and that was in regard to the personal importation of prescription medicines which my colleague Sarah Pallett spoke to earlier. That was something that people came to us with really genuine serious concerns about. We heard it early. We made the necessary adjustments and we can certainly allay those concerns. People will be able to order and import prescription medicines for their own use provided they have a prescription from New Zealand health practitioner. So we're very proud of this bill and I commend it to the House.
Lubeck MarjaMARJA LUBECK (Labour): Thank you Mr Speaker. A lot has been said on this bill so I'll keep my contribution fairly short. The Minister of Health has said that this bill has been a long time in the making and I do want to also acknowledge all of those who have worked very hard on this bill.It was a real privilege to be on the Health Committee; I recently joined it. I want to commend the chair Tracey McLellan and also the deputy chair for their really good work on this bill.The Minister talked about some lessons that were learnt from the COVID-19 experience. It was interesting to hear Mr Woodhouse trying to rewrite history on our world-leading response there. It was also interesting to hear Mr Woodhouse accidentally dropping the National Party's slogan—I don't know if anybody heard it but it was: talk but no action—because of course the National Party is the party of no action and status quo. They would have done nothing in this regard. They would have left things the way they are because they are the party of talk but no action. The new National Party slogan: talk but no action. Thank you Mr Speaker.
Peke-Mason SorayaSORAYA PEKE-MASON (Labour): Mānawatia o Puanga Matariki ki a koe koutou koutou katoa. I'm pleased to be able to take a short call on the Therapeutic Products Bill third reading. I welcome and I'm very happy to see this bill in its third reading for the simple but very important reason it is intended to replace the Medicines Act 1981 and the Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985—two pieces of legislation that are each over 35 years old; a lot has changed during those years.It took a lot of work to get this bill to the stage. It's going to be flexible to support innovation it's going to help control health technologies it will align with international standards and it will ensure safety of products and healthcare delivery in supporting both imports and exports.I welcome the exemption scheme a mechanism for small-scale natural health product manufacturers removing obligations in relation to rongoā practitioners. Rongoā Māori is a taonga tuku iho meaning that it is passed on to us by our tūpuna. For generations whānau hapū have used rongoā—including my own—and I want to acknowledge all our rongoā practitioners across the motu and our obligation under Te Tiriti to actively protect taonga. Māori are kaitiaki of rongoā and continue to serve their people according to tikanga. I reflect a kōrero that I had back home with one of our practitioners. There is a mauri that comes with rongoā practitioners. No amount of legislation can nor will regulate rongoā Māori.Advertising of medicines was another area of concern. We have put in place strong controls to help manage those issues that were raised by submitters. I joined the Health Committee towards the end of the bill's development and its journey. It was insightful and a privilege to sit there amongst committee members listening and capturing the kōrero and thinking from all sides of the table whether there was agreement or not. Work on this bill started in 2003; clearly it's not a bill we can say was rushed through.Big thanks to honourable Ministers involved officials submitters committee members. I commend this to the House. Kia ora.
Pallett SarahSARAH PALLETT (Labour—Ilam): Thank you Mr Speaker. Great pleasure this afternoon to rise in support of the Therapeutic Products Bill at its third reading. I also want to add my words of gratitude to the Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall and to Dr Tracey McLellan Dr Anae Neru Leavasa and the very hard-working Health Committee—and also to our officials who worked so incredibly hard on what was a very large dense piece of legislation that has been in progress for some years. I spoke briefly in my second reading speech on the purpose of the select committee process which I won't re-litigate but I just want to highlight that many changes have been made and that is the purpose of the select committee—to make sure that this bill was the best that it could be. Changes were needed and after the Health Committee reported back to the House as we've heard Government did announce an exemption scheme for small-scale natural health product manufacturers and removed obligations that may apply to rongoā practitioners and activities which were two areas that we had highlighted as a committee of being of critical importance.Very serious concerns were raised by many of the submitters and I want to highlight that although we have been talking on many occasions about mis- and disinformation that's not to say that every presenter was presenting us with mis- and disinformation; that's a ridiculous assertion to be making. Many serious concerns were raised and we heard them. We read all submissions; we listened intently to the many submitters. One of the most serious concerns was around the importation of prescription medicines and the Health Committee recommended changes to allow for personal importation and that's what we've done—I welcome that change. I find it extraordinary to hear that it is not important that we ensure that cosmetics claiming sun protection factors actually need to adhere to those sun protection factors. The risks from sunscreen that does not meet standard are substantial. I've spoken for many many minutes on the sunscreen products bill that the Hon Todd Muller bought forward in support of that bill—which was intended as a placeholder before the more robust framework of this piece of legislation in the Therapeutic Products Bill which was a point that was agreed across the House. So I don't know; we seem to need to go back in time and read our speeches again some of us—on the other side of the House.But to address misinformation quickly: you will still under this legislation be able to buy natural health products; you will not need a prescription. There is no list of prohibited ingredients and no ban on common herbs and spices used in cooking. This was never the intention of this piece of legislation; it is not in this piece of legislation and to assert that it is is misinformation. I recommend this bill to the House.
Leavasa Anae NeruDr ANAE NERU LEAVASA (Labour—Takanini): Fa'afetai lava Mr Speaker. It is a good pleasure to take a brief call on the third reading of the Therapeutic Products Bill. I just want to say that in my own electorate of Takanini there are many who have been keeping a close eye on the progress of this bill whether it be community members who think about their medicines or their natural health products or our clinicians and health professionals in the area who want an updated Medicines Act and Dietary Supplements Regulations that are also risk proportionate.A huge fa'afetai to the Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall for the work that she has done; also too the officials who are sitting up in the gallery—thank you so much fa'afetai for the hard work that you have put in as well. To the chair Dr Tracey McLellan and to our members across the House thank you. It's been a good discussion good detailed discussions within the Health Committee. To all the submitters that have come through thank you for all their input as well in trying to make good changes to this bill.We all want regulations that have safe ingredients that make health claims substantiated and regulated as well. Many in South Auckland are approached by practitioners who have shakes and all sorts of things that have health claims but many that make our people sicker much more concerned about their medical issues. They come through the door and drop all their medicines and cause more issues with their health conditions. So this will help improve in making sure that these practitioners make the right claims and that is evidence-based.To the DTCA or direct-to-consumer advertising I want to acknowledge my medical colleagues that have put through an open letter but I thank the Minister in the committee stage in clarifying those concerns and making sure that the regulations are boosted to address some of them. I just want to say that many patients in the area that I work in are quite hard to present to the clinic and they come in with their late presentations of hard conditions to treat and some of them come in because of advertising as well. So this is just the flip side—I've seen the risk from DTCA but also the positives of having that advertising prompt patients. Many of my patients do present quite late so having advertising that prompts them to come in with some of those questions is a benefit to us as well.So I commend this bill to the House. It's a good bill and I thank everyone involved. Fa'afetai.
O'Connor Greg; Kerekere Elizabeth; Verrall AyeshaClauses 1 and 2CHAIRPERSON (Greg O'Connor): Members we come now to our final debate on clauses 1 and 2 Title" and "Commencement".Dr ELIZABETH KEREKERE (Independent): Kia ora. We were just wondering if you could give assurances that when this bill comes into effect we can expect all secondary legislation will be fully in place—or regulations for the bill.Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Minister of Health): Clearly the bill will come into effect in 2026 and all of the regulation to enable the regulation of medicines and medical devices will be in place by then—and other regulations as necessary."