Whaitiri MekaHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Labour—Ikaroa-Rāwhiti): Madam Assistant Speaker tēnā koe. E ngā mema o Te Whare nei tēnā tātou katoa. I'm proud to take a call on this bill the Land Transport (Wheel Clamping) Amendment Bill. Can I first commend both Minister Faafoi and Minister Twyford for addressing an area of concern and it's the job of particularly Ministers of commerce to address the concerns around unnecessary wheel-clamping and not having clear regulations or sets of rules to guide when it's appropriate to use it and when it's not.This bill is addressing a concern that previous speakers have raised from around the country. I come from the East Coast and I can honestly say that we don't have a lot of wheel clamping up there but probably for some of the metropolitan areas where parking is at a premium you would find more wheel clampers. But seriously the $100 fine and the regulations to strengthen when it can apply and can't apply must be commended. This is the first reading and of course people who have concerns that maybe $100 is too much or not enough or that some of the regulations around it aren't strong enough or are too broad have the opportunity to come before the Transport and Infrastructure Committee. I do encourage folks who have an interest in this to make submissions.There were some comments earlier—even though the Opposition are supporting this bill—and some concerns around how this bill has come to bear from officials' reports. Looking at the report myself particularly from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) the concerns in their own report—and I do note that the industry themselves have issues—they talk about unclear regulation and unreasonable fees. They talk about intimidating and unfair behaviour by wheel-clamp operators and a lack of opportunity for appeal before paying the release fee. So the officials have advised that we have an issue in this area and this bill is attempting to address those issues that MBIE officials have raised.It's also something much needed by people who probably know about cars a bit more than some of the members in this House. The Automobile Association on 22 August 2018 cautiously welcomed today's announcement from the Government to rein in wheel clampers by regulating a maximum clamping penalty of $100 but it believes more needs to be done to regulate the industry. There was also a quote from The Dog and Lemon Guide talking about Most wheel-clampers are parasites. While it's great that the government has limited the amount they can charge there's still nothing to stop these crooks blackmailing ordinary motorists."This bill is to address an issue that many see needs addressing. Like I said previously it's an opportunity to examine it through the select committee process and ensure that the bill fits the concerns that not just motorists but consumers themselves have raised for several years. This is an opportunity to address the concerns around whether it's appropriate to charge people $470 before they can get their clamps removed or $700—and we've heard the stories in this House in debating this particular bill.So I support this bill as I've heard all members in the House have. We will have the opportunity to robustly scrutinise it through the select committee. It is an opportunity for folks to come and have their say—and I look forward to the submitters coming to our select committee—and to thoroughly scrutinise it and to have the opportunity to present it back to this House for its second reading. I commend this bill to the House."