SpeechHARETE HIPANGO (National): Thank you Madam Chair. I acknowledge Minister Kiritapu Allan in the chair. Noting that this is before the committee of the whole House for debate—looking at the amendments—I wasn't a member that sat on the Justice Committee at the time this bill came before the select committee but it is noted that when it did it was referred to the committee on 27 September 2022. Submissions were called for with a closing date of 26 October 2022. Five submissions had been received from interested groups and individuals and oral evidence heard from three submitters at hearings in Wellington by video conference. As a result of that there has been a report filed back to the House by the Justice Committee identifying that the amendments that had been canvased in select committee were recommended unanimously.In turning to the committee to debate Part 1 looking at those amendments before the House I turn specifically to clause 5A and that is the Meanings of associate and organised criminal group". So Minister there has been some concern I understand as to what the term "associate" would mean and how that would connect an associate to either the organised criminal group or the person participating in organised crime. So the meaning of "associate"—and this was a clause that although I wasn't at select committee would have been the subject of considerable debate—means a person who is associated with the member or participant and is not a mere acquaintance of the member or participant.I would invite the Minister if Minister Allan is able to do so—in terms of clarification around "acquaintance"—to explain what that would be. The meaning of "associate" under clause 5A as the proposed amendment in subclause (1)(a) "means a person who—(i) is associated with the member or participant; and"—not "or" but "and"—"(ii) is not a mere acquaintance". Could we seek some clarification around that please Minister?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN (Minister of Justice): Well thank you Madam Chair and I thank the member Harete Hipango for her contribution. The member is correct. I just want to acknowledge in particular the submission made by the Law Society in giving their reflections on this particular provision. It wasn't well contested. I think that the words of the legislation are relatively clear in this sense: "a person who—(i) is associated with the member" and in clause 5A(1)(a)(ii) is "not a mere acquaintance of the member or participant". When turning their minds to this particular issue police justice and the like were I guess very cognisant to make sure it wouldn't include anybody that had ever touched the pathway of and therefore not a mere acquaintance but somebody that did have some kind of deeper or additional components to that relationship.So I note in the departmental report there is a good discussion on the scope and clarity of what an "associate" is intended to mean. On balance having now heard the submissions—officials and myself included—we considered that the definition balance that need for clarity of what the scope of association was but we also balance that with the risk of creating loopholes if we were to start listing all and sundry as to who might come within that definition. So that was indeed the intent there."