Young JonathanREPORTSInternational Treaty Examination of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons who are Blind Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print DisabledJONATHAN YOUNG (Chairperson of the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee): I move That the House take not of the report of the Commerce Committee on the International treaty examination of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons who are Blind Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled.The Marrakesh Treaty is a multilateral treaty concluded by the World Intellectual Property Organization in 2013. It is a treaty on copyright adopted in Marrakesh Morocco on 28 June 2013. It aims to help people who are blind visually impaired or otherwise print disabled to have more timely access to a greater variety of books and other literary works in accessible formats such as Braille audio and large print. The Marrakesh Treaty provides an international legal framework for copyright exceptions that allows for the reproduction distribution and cross-border exchange of copyright works in accessible formats between countries party to the treaty. The treaty sets a norm for countries ratifying the treaty to have a domestic copyright exception covering those activities and allowing for the import and export of such materials.Fifty-one countries signed the treaty as of the close of the diplomatic conference in Marrakesh. The ratification of 20 States was required for the treaty to enter into effect. The 20th ratification was received on 30 June 2016 and the treaty entered into force on 30 September 2016. The treaty went to the then-known Commerce Committee of the New Zealand Parliament and they reported back to the House on 7 July 2017. The House rose on 19 August 2017 for the election and so we now come to the debate in this House regarding the acceding to this treaty.In the New Zealand context an estimated 90 percent of all written materials published worldwide are not published in formats accessible to individuals with a print disability here. This lack of access is a barrier to participation in public life and restricts employment educational and recreational opportunities for an estimated 168000 New Zealanders who have a print disability. Acceding to the Marrakesh Treaty is expected to have a positive social economic and cultural impact on New Zealand. Individuals with a print disability are expected to be the primary beneficiaries. It is likely to improve access to education enhance participation in public life provide greater autonomy and independence and improve health outcomes. Acceding to the Marrakesh Treaty is also expected to achieve better value for money from the Government's investment in the production of educational material for individuals with a print disability which is currently provided by the Blind Foundation.On 22 June 2017 the then National Government's Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs the Hon Jacqui Dean and Minister for Disability Issues the Hon Nicky Wagner announced that New Zealand will join the Marrakesh Treaty. The Hon Nicky Wagner said at the time This treaty will make a meaningful change to the lives of thousands of New Zealanders by ensuring they have access to a greater variety of books and other publications in accessible formats. It also supports the Government's vision of creating a 'non-disabling society' as outlined in the New Zealand Disability Strategy." The Hon Jacqui Dean said the Government will make other changes to further improved access to copyright works: "These changes will allow more organisations and individuals to produce and provide accessible format works without breaching copyright laws."As an international treaty subject to ascension the Marrakesh Treaty must be presented along with a national interest analysis to the House for parliamentary treaty examination in accordance with Standing Order 397. At the request of the Leader of the House this is what we are doing now. In July 2017 the Commerce Committee considered the Marrakesh Treaty in light of the national interest analysis to form a view on whether New Zealand should accede to the treaty. Public submissions were not sought given strong support from domestic stakeholders to join the treaty including by the Blind Foundation educational institutions and copyright holders.New Zealand already has a copyright exception that facilitates the production of works in accessible formats. However the exception does not allow those works to be imported or exported. The Marrakesh Treaty will allow New Zealanders to import copyrighted works in accessible formats such as Braille large print and audiobooks from other countries that have ratified the treaty. Enabling legislation will follow ratification of this treaty.The Commerce Committee heard evidence from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. The committee has conducted the international treaty examination of the Marrakesh Treaty and recommends that the House takes note of its report. Taking the necessary steps to accede to the Marrakesh Treaty is expected to go some way towards addressing the lack of access to works in accessible formats for individuals with a print disability in New Zealand. I commend the Marrakesh Treaty to the House and our Parliament's acceding to it. Thank you."