Watts SimonSIMON WATTS (National—North Shore): Thank you very much Mr Speaker and it's an absolute pleasure to be speaking in the third reading of the Overseas Investment (Forestry) Amendment Bill. I was just listening to the contribution by the last member Rachel Brooking in which she reminisced I think in terms of her earlier days of working in forestry pruning pine trees and I too I have fond memories as a young person in my summer holidays in the mighty Waikato working what were quite long days I must say pruning pine trees.Hon Scott Simpson: He's a lumberjack.SIMON WATTS: I wouldn't go as far as saying a lumberjack the Hon Scott Simpson but I must say there is something about getting out in our forests of New Zealand and working as part of that productive sector. Tough work but work that is enjoyable. I must say as a member of the Finance and Expenditure Committee which heard this bill that I think it was a process in which there was a number of perspectives that were brought in front of that committee. I do acknowledge the members of that committee who are in the House here and also those submitters from across the forestry sector that made a contribution in regards to this legislation. Those contributions I think are always—but in this case were—of absolute value because I think the practicality of those contributions in terms of some of the complexities and challenges which exist within this important sector a sector which contributes a significant amount of value to this great country is important. There will be no doubt or it shan't be any surprise from the speakers that have gone before me today that National will be supporting this bill. The reason for our support is quite simple and it is really around the fact that the benefit to New Zealand" test is going to be the basis on which future investments in terms of forestry are going to be considered rather than the special forestry tests. I think the degree of conversation that was had at a select committee level did go in in terms of the specific challenges—because again there are different views and challenges around that. But I think at the end of the day as a select committee in terms of a unanimous position around support of that I think we've landed in a place which is reasonable. I think there was—and it is important to reflect in regards to you know where we have come from in regards to the sector. I must say it was a number of years ago when I was as we say—and the colleague across the House—probably pruning trees you know on the job. But a lot has moved on in the last 20 years in regards to the sector. I think what we were able to—and hopefully what this bill will be able to—achieve is in terms of setting that basis and that platform for this industry to be able to move forward. I think a key element of that is around certainty. So often we are hearing at the moment the feedback back from our business sector and our primary sector in terms of the fact that actually if only we had more certainty in terms of what that future pathway looks like. Heck if I reflect on the significant contribution that our rural communities and our primary sector make to our country they've absolutely done a stellar job in terms of carrying us through the period of challenge that we've had through COVID. I think in regards to forestry and other primary sectors the weight of burden of compliance and regulation that is on that sector in particular I think you know we do need to and should continue always—I know on this side of the House—absolutely acknowledge and support that sector in terms of the contribution the important contribution they want to make.Sadly I haven't got too much more time to go and I can hear the calls on the other side for another allocation of more time. Sadly on this day that's not going to happen but I am very pleased to be able to commend this bill to the House."