Pillay Lynne: Trans-Tasman Proceedings Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
Pillay Lynne: Trans-Tasman Proceedings Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
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LYNNE PILLAY (Labour) 
: 
 It is a pleasure to stand and speak in support of the Trans-Tasman Proceedings Bill which we are debating under urgency. I note that most of the bills before the House are non-controversial. That is what we know and love about Maurice Williamson the Minister in the chair; “Mr Non-controversial” is what we often call him. When we consider some of the legislation that has gone through the House in very recent times it is a pleasure to speak to a bill that adds value. I understand that my colleague Brendon Burns will take a call on the bill after me and that is really good too. 
The bill and the equivalent Australian legislation will integrate our countries’ civil justice systems to simplify the resolution of legal disputes with a trans-Tasman aspect. The bill resulted if we are being really honest from work started by Helen Clark in 2003. I would like to speak briefly about the background. The Trans-Tasman Working Group on Court Proceedings and Regulatory Enforcement was established by Helen Clark and John Howard in 2003. It reported back in December 2006 and made a range of recommendations that included the use of video technology to allow witnesses to appear while overseas and an increase in the types of judgments that could be enforced in each country. The agreement produced was signed in 2008 by Labour’s previous speaker Lianne Dalziel as Minister of Commerce and Robert McClelland the Australian Attorney-General. The agreement went to the Law and Order Committee and the unanimous recommendation from that committee was that the agreement was the best way forward. 
In terms of the bill itself we know that it reduces the cost and complexity of litigation and provides better remedies. The bill will certainly enhance the very good relationship that we have with Australia even though it is absolutely romping ahead of us economically in the job stakes and in supporting people through a recession. In fact that country has barely felt the recession as opposed to this country. I am hoping that through this bill and the work that will happen across the Tasman this Government will be able to draw on some policies that will enhance New Zealand’s economy which is in a dreadful state. 
Hon Member 
: They’ve got none of their own. 
LYNNE PILLAY 
: The Government has none of its own as my colleague said. Perhaps its members will learn from our neighbours a way to support people in work rather than—[ 
Interruption 
]—exactly having a plan. 
I commend the Law and Order Committee which looked at a number of amendments to the bill. They included refining applications for stays of proceedings and giving New Zealand courts the power to declare jurisdiction. It also looked at the procedural rules of the courts and wanted “to allow rules prescribing things required or necessary for implementing the bill to be made using any powers given by any Act to make procedural rules for a court or tribunal.” Very sensible work was done by the Law and Order Committee which was quite an achievement given that the chair is not always up there in terms of achievement—would that be a fair comment? 
Paul Quinn 
: What? Say that again! 
LYNNE PILLAY 
: I am not talking about the Justice and Electoral Committee; I am certainly not talking about that select committee. I know that Brendon Burns will take a call so I will note just a couple more issues. One was the serving of initiating documents in Australia. In terms of the defendant’s address for service some really sensible work was done to ensure that it was the most efficient possible.