Tabuteau FletcherFLETCHER TABUTEAU (Deputy Leader—NZ First): Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker. It's a pleasure to rise on behalf of New Zealand First to speak to the Arbitration Amendment Bill. First of all with your forbearance I'd just like to acknowledge the former member Paul Foster-Bell in the House—a hard-working and determined member of Parliament in his time—and I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate him for his work in bringing this bill to the House and publicly commend him for the work he's doing now. He's a great guy doing a great job.It then makes it hard—no it doesn't!—to speak to Andrew Bayly the current sponsor of the bill and congratulate him for his advocacy actually. He has taken the proverbial bull by the horns as it were and has been a strong advocate for this legislation. He has undertaken a lot of work behind the scenes and has been very willing and open in his discussions with all members who are interested and who want to know more about what it is that is being aimed for within this bill.I think it's appropriate to point out that when this bill was first introduced to the House by Paul Foster-Bell New Zealand First spoke quite strongly in terms of reservations. We spoke about the fact that we had concerns that the bill would introduce new presumptions of confidentiality in relation to proceedings concerning arbitration in contrast to court proceedings which as has been aired repeatedly this evening are normally open proceedings. They are open to the public and the information itself is accessible by the public. So this is a well-established principle in New Zealand's legal system.In the Justice Committee the recommendation around deleting clause 5 from the bill has assessed that the current regime for arbitration-related court proceedings strikes the appropriate balance between open justice and the private nature of arbitration." and then we had some concerns around trusts within this legislation. But I rise in support of this legislation—I thought it appropriate to clarify that at this juncture—and say that of course New Zealand First does support arbitration as an alternative to disputes. As was outlined previously if two parties can work through issues in a less formal setting perhaps the less formal the setting is probably the easier it is to get through the issues that they have cheaper quicker and it is ideal for both parties and the international arbitration here is part of that. So we support this and we support with professional assistance of course this being done.I think the submitters spoke to how this can be improved. I would note actually that some of what is being sought in this legislation actually seeks to align our legislation with international standards and hopefully make arbitration more attractive in New Zealand. But I will point out and acknowledge the words from Dr Duncan Webb the previous speaker that actually the attraction of the New Zealand system is based around our professionalism the level of integrity and the competence of those practitioners in the New Zealand legal system. So in that we are an attractive proposition to those who would use New Zealand as an international arbitrator and I suppose I would signal that there is still to be some debate about the way that we move forward in terms of the open justice system in these arbitration-related court proceedings.So I think I have outlined quite briefly the reasons for our support. I don't think I need to go through the technical aspects of what arbitration is—Hon Members: Go on!FLETCHER TABUTEAU: —in the New Zealand system despite the protestations of my colleagues on this side of the House. We support the legislation and we look forward to it proceeding through the House. Thank you Madam Deputy Speaker."