Brown SimeonSIMEON BROWN (National—Pakuranga): Thank you Madam Assistant Speaker. I'd just like to take a few moments to respond to some of the comments that I've heard from the other side of the House. I'm not sure what bill the member who just sat down was reading because I'm not targeting the victims and the ones who are taking these drugs. This bill is about targeting the suppliers and the distributors and those who are selling these drugs. And from all that I think those people who are making money out of other people's misery need to be locked up and they need to have harsher sentences and that is what this bill is designed to do. I've been quite confused listening to particularly members of the Labour Party. It almost feels like they want to vote for this bill. We like the intent—we like the intent of this bill." is what the Minister of Police said. The opportunity here at a first reading is to vote for this bill to send it to the select committee to let the public have their say and to consider the issues which come up from the submissions.One other objection which has been raised has been that this will continue a so-called war on drugs this is an archaic bill or it's a failed process or even those who are in favour of decriminalisation and regulation of illicit drugs should support this amendment. The law regarding synthetic drugs allows for the sale and supply of a substance if the supplier can prove them—we've heard that from the member Louisa Wall. But what this is designed to do is if those people are breaking the law they should face the consequences of it.Another objection has been raised that this Act is coming up for review. Well I haven't seen the terms of reference for that review. I don't know how long that review will take. I don't know when it will be who's going to be doing it whether the public would have their say and then we don't know whether there will be any legislation actually recommended to the House from that review. So we have an opportunity here today to fix a discrepancy in the law as it currently stands. It is obvious it is needed it is measured and it is appropriate. It is vital that synthetic drugs are no longer considered to be a drug that Parliament is not too concerned about. We need to act and we need to act now to send a clear message that supplying these drugs is a serious offence.Another objection which has been raised has been that there is a mental health inquiry coming up which will look into addiction. I've read the terms of reference for this inquiry and it doesn't make one mention of the harm that is being caused by synthetics—not one dicky-bird of a mention. Again this is another review which will take time. We have an opportunity here to look into this issue to address it and to make the changes which are needed.This bill is a targeted amendment focused on increasing the penalties available for those found guilty of dealing those dangerous drugs. These are maximum sentences available for maximum penalties. I call on all members of this House to vote for this bill to go through to the select committee. I would also like to just acknowledge New Zealand First and thank them for their support of this bill. I acknowledge the issues which they have raised and I look forward to those issues being addressed and discussed at the select committee so that the public can have their say and that we can work through those together.I call on members not to let party affiliation affect your vote; to not let ideology affect your vote. The people of New Zealand don't want us in this Parliament to be soft on crime or soft on drugs. This bill is on their side. I commend the bill to the House. Thank you."