Carter David: Smoke-free Environments Amendment Bill — Referral to Health Committee Procedure In Committee 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Carter David: Smoke-free Environments Amendment Bill — Referral to Health Committee Procedure In Committee 
[Sitting date: 15 October 2003. Volume:612;Page:9220. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon DAVID CARTER (National) 
: 
 I start by thanking Steve Chadwick who sponsors this bill for finally taking a call. I have spent many hours in this debate and that is the first time she has taken a call. 
I want to comment on the two points she raised. Firstly she said she has never been lobbied by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). Well I will accept the member’s word but I do wonder whether she regularly monitors her inwards mail because I have had numerous letters from ASH asking to come and see me. The letters look like form letters that I think went to all members of Parliament. So I suggest that member just check the bottom of her in tray. 
Secondly she read a letter published in the  
New Zealand Herald  
from ASH in which she claimed the statement was made that the Government has never gagged ASH. That is wrong. I have before me the ASH contract signed by the Ministry of Health and ASH and clause 17 reads: “Neither of us may during or after this agreement either directly or indirectly criticise the other publicly.” If that is not a gag I do not know what is. So do not let ASH continue with a whole lot of half-truths and mistruths saying it was not doing the Government’s work because it was. 
Before the dinner break I spoke passionately about some amendments to the bill that I intend to put forward tonight. I actually wrote to a large number of hospitality establishments in Christchurch when I realised how deeply they felt about this legislation. They spoke vigorously against the Government’s move—and it is the Government’s move—at the annual hospitality industry awards dinner last week in Christchurch. So I wrote to 350 establishments last Friday and in those few days more than 100 responded and asked me specifically to put forward an amendment to exclude their particular establishment from this dopey legislation. They include places like the Embankment Tavern Ferry Road Christchurch. 
Simon Power 
: A fine spot! 
Hon DAVID CARTER 
: It is an interesting establishment. It is in Mr Tim Barnett’s electorate and I take this opportunity of telling Mr Barnett that people from that tavern have rung my office and asked me to put forward this amendment on their behalf. They will be looking to that member to support the amendment. Mr Barnett came into Parliament to represent Christchurch Central constituents. That tavern is struggling in a difficult environment and it wants to be excluded from this legislation. It will be watching the vote cast by Mr Tim Barnett tonight. 
R Doug Woolerton 
: There are a certain number of people he cares about and he doesn’t care about the others. 
Hon DAVID CARTER 
: That could be true. I will ensure when the vote is cast that the Embankment Tavern on Ferry Road in Mr Barnett’s electorate knows how he voted. Another establishment Ciao Bella on Victoria Street one of the most enjoyable restaurant-bars in Christchurch—also in Mr Barnett’s electorate—has asked me to put forward an amendment to exclude it from this dopey legislation. It too will be looking for the support of Mr Barnett later on this evening. The Redwood Hotel Main North Road Christchurch is I think in Mr Clayton Cosgrove’s electorate. I tell Mr Cosgrove that the Redwood Hotel wants to be excluded. I am prepared to put forward an amendment and I certainly hope the local member Mr Clayton Cosgrove will be supporting it. Another establishment the Valley Inn at 2 Flavell Street Heathcote Christchurch just happens to be not far from my office and is in the electorate of Ruth Dyson. In fact Ruth Dyson lived within 200 metres of this fine establishment. It may have been her local! 
Katherine Rich 
: Not any more. 
Hon DAVID CARTER 
: It may be. We have to give Ruth Dyson the chance. Now that I am telling her that the Valley Inn at Heathcote wishes to be excluded from this legislation and now that I have agreed to put forward an amendment on its behalf let us see how Ruth Dyson votes.