Ross Jami-Lee: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Ross Jami-Lee: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Sitting date: 20 September 2012. Volume:684;Page:5510. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
9. 
JAMI-LEE ROSS (National—Botany) 
 to the  
Minister of Transport 
: What progress is the Government making in implementing an “open skies” air transport policy? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister of Transport) 
: 
 On 30 August 2012 the Government announced its new international air transport policy. Under the policy New Zealand will continue to pursue reciprocal open skies agreements except where it is not in its best interests to do so. It will recognise the benefit to the country of new or additional services by foreign airlines while ensuring that New Zealand airlines have a fair and equal opportunity to compete. In particular the new policy directs officials to give favourable consideration to granting extra bilateral approval to any airline seeking to operate into Christchurch until 2017. This recognises that a new international air service would provide a significant boost to the Christchurch economy at a time when many businesses and tourism operators are struggling to recover from the 2010-11 earthquakes. 
Jami-Lee Ross 
: Can the Minister tell the House what has been the response to the new open skies air transport policy? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: The response has been very favourable. Christchurch International Airport said: “We congratulate the Ministry and the Minister on their common sense approach in considering the many submissions from aviation and tourism industry groups then confirming a policy which puts emphasis on connecting New Zealand to global markets.” The Chief Executive of the Tourism Industry Association Mr Martin Snedden made similar comments. The New Zealand Airports Association made similar comments again. Air New Zealand made no comment. 
Jami-Lee Ross 
: Can the Minister tell the House what the benefits are of an open skies air transport policy? 
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE 
: Liberalised air services arrangements make it easier for airlines to enter or expand in the New Zealand market. As additional airlines enter the market air fares cargo rates etc. are likely to fall. New airlines coming to New Zealand to enhance our connectivity with additional parts of the world provides additional opportunities for New Zealand travellers and in particular for our traders to do business with those people. The Government has already negotiated a number of new or enhanced air services agreements with Turkey South Africa Papua New Guinea Niue the Netherlands Japan and China and negotiations with Qatar Brazil Thailand and the United Arab Emirates are under way. The agreements so far will triple the amount of travel between New Zealand and China and that is a good thing for our traders. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I seek leave for Jami-Lee Ross to ask that question he just asked—the third question that is—again because during the whole answer— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! The member knows there is no Standing Order that provides for that. It can only be grandstanding that would cause a member to do that. 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I would like to challenge you. There are very clear Standing Orders and Speakers’ rulings requirements for people to address the Chair. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: That has got me whacked.