Brown Peter: Motor Vehicle Sales Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
Brown Peter: Motor Vehicle Sales Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:607;Page:4782] 
PETER BROWN (Deputy Leader—NZ First) 
: 
 I would like to outline a set of circumstances that I believe do from time to time occur in this country with regard to imported second-hand cars. I would appreciate the Minister taking a call to explain whether I am correct in the first instance and if I am correct what this bill will do about the matter. 
As I understand it some importers go to Japan and buy an allocation of cars in a block and the Japanese dealer says: “If you take this amount of cars we’ll give you these cars for free.” They are the lower-level cars that in normal circumstances the dealer would have to dispose of at some cost. So he would be keen enough to give them away if the New Zealand importer is prepared to buy a certain lot of what I call “acceptable” cars. These lower-level cars are known I believe as “sewer” cars because they are about to be dispensed with. They come into this country and I am of the understanding over past years that quite frequently they have their odometers “clocked” or wound back and are sold to unsuspecting members of the public. 
We have to remember that the New Zealand dealer does not have any equity in these cars; he is selling a car in the circumstances I have illustrated that he has not bought but has been given and he has “clocked” or wound back the odometer. I want to know how the rules in Part 4 will be imposed in respect of that band of motor vehicle dealers who are not toeing the line. New Zealand First was not on the Commerce Committee and I have read this bill to try to find the answer. Now I would appreciate the Minister taking a call and answering that question. I believe that practice has occurred and I have no reason to believe that it is not occurring right now. 
The honourable member from United Future earlier spoke of all motor vehicle dealers being people of integrity but I notice this morning he has moved somewhat from that view. He said this bill will open the door to anybody to enter the trade. That possibility is a major concern to New Zealand First. If that happens and this bill opens the door to anybody then somebody will pay the price financially or possibly with an unsafe car. I do not want to extend my statement any further than is necessary but I would appreciate the Minister addressing that question. If she does not know the answer I respectfully suggest she speak to her colleague the Hon Harry Duynhoven because he can verify that what I am saying has occurred. He has immense knowledge of the motor vehicle industry. Indeed when he spoke last night he was the first Government member with due respect to Paul Adams who threw some sensible light on what this bill is all about. He has made New Zealand First rethink this bill to some limited degree. We say that it is flawed and we say that the issue I have just illustrated indicates there is a major flaw because it will not address this issue. If the Minister cannot see her way clear to talk to the Hon Harry Duynhoven perhaps she would talk to the officials sitting behind her and then give us a genuine answer to that concern.