Yang Jian: Advanced Technology Institute Bill — First Reading 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Yang Jian: Advanced Technology Institute Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 13 September 2012. Volume:683;Page:5245. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Dr JIAN YANG (National) 
: 
 I welcome the opportunity to speak on the first reading of the Advanced Technology Institute Bill which is sponsored by our Minister of Science and Innovation Steven Joyce. Members speaking before me have already stated that the bill is about establishing a new statutory Crown entity the Advanced Technology Institute—or ATI—which will when up and running have bases in Auckland Wellington and Christchurch. The institute’s two principal roles are firstly to help lift capability in businesses Government agencies education institutes and research organisations and secondly to act as a service provider for businesses. Its focus will be on our manufacturing and service industries which both have growth potential. 
As a former university lecturer I welcome our Government’s efforts to push research and development theory into the realm of the real practical world. Many of our university science students will be heartened to hear today that the National-led Government is committed to helping to get our best most innovative ideas out of the lab and into the market place more quickly. In particular the bill will promote greater movement of researchers graduates and academics between institutions and industry which will give them valuable work experience and I welcome this. 
 Like the 20th century economic growth in the 21st century will be based on technological innovation. Technological innovation increases productivity and increasing productivity is crucial for sustainable economic growth. For that reason we must stay at the forefront of knowledge and technological innovation. We in National know the importance of staying ahead of global competition. This will in turn create jobs lift incomes and boost New Zealanders’ standard of living. This bill is part of our Business Growth Agenda which is a key element in building a more competitive and productive economy. 
National also understands the importance of helping small businesses that may be struggling in tough economic times. We are committed to helping them in every way we can. By locating the institute in key cities we will be connecting high-tech firms to small businesses so that they can interact grow lift their competitiveness and in turn boost New Zealand’s economic growth. National believes that bridging the gap between business science engineering and design is the way to turn ideas into products. Science and technology innovation are major drivers of growth and international competitiveness. That is why Budget 2012 invested $326 million and in 2012-13 total cross-portfolio funding of $1.24 billion for science innovation and research. In July this year New Zealand jumped up two places to 13th in the world in the Global Innovation Index which analyses innovation in 141 countries. The fact that New Zealand is placed higher than countries— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I know that at the beginning of a first reading of a bill there is some latitude to set the context. I think we have been going for about 3 minutes now and other than saying which bill the member has been speaking to he has given us a lovely discourse on science but nothing to do with the bill. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch) 
: That is a matter for me to judge. 
Dr JIAN YANG 
: The fact that New Zealand is ranked higher than countries such as China Japan Germany and Australia highlights the importance we attach to science and innovation. We need to keep investing in science and innovation so that we continue to improve and continue to be recognised as a smart innovative country to do business in. This bill will help New Zealand businesses to become more competitive and successful globally and that is a good thing for New Zealand. I commend this bill to the House. Thank you.