Bennett Glen; Rurawhe AdrianGLEN BENNETT (Labour—New Plymouth): Thank you Mr Speaker. I rise with enthusiasm to speak on this piece of legislation. I think my fourth form economics teacher will be very excited that I'm in this place talking with such wisdom today. Well I was so hopeful as I heard David Seymour get up and speak and the ACT Party in full support and of course then the scepticism came in. But that's OK because we in this House are able to explore ideas legislation and bills and I'm really looking forward to going to select committee and being part of the Economic Development Science and Innovation Committee. I look forward to unpacking and learning more about the views of people within our nation be that companies be that economic development agencies whether it be individuals and hearing what they have to say about the Commerce Amendment Bill. I look forward to us exploring more how we do our economic development here with commerce better and how we ensure—actually I've got three things that come to mind. I thank the Hon David Clark for bringing this bill to the House and bringing a few of these concepts earlier in his speech. What I heard from that was that this bill is around fairness. I'll go into that a bit more a little bit later on. Also it's speaking against ensuring that there isn't the misuse of market power that comes into place which we need to address in this House and as a nation. I also thought about—this isn't overly exciting but it's really important—good functioning legislation and good functioning Acts that create and provide tools that are fit for purpose so groups like the Commerce Commission can do their job and do it well. Fairness—well I live in a small place called Taranaki. We're a powerhouse in this economy but we are small and us as a nation of Aotearoa are small fish in a big pond. We're remote but we want our economy to be fit for purpose ensuring that companies and businesses do the right thing. We want to ensure that consumers and businesses have a fair go and that it's a fair playing field for all. The other thing that Minister Clark talked about was strengthening the Commerce Act's prohibition against the misuse of market power. Now the challenges of the market and how power doesn't crush others in the market is very important for myself. Again living in a small community where we have many many businesses whether it be mum and dad operators or whether it be large construction companies but we don't have as many jobs as other parts of the country. We don't have as many as other parts of the world. So how do we ensure that those who are there don't misuse their market power? The other thing this legislation does—it's not the sexiest part—is it makes minor changes to improve the functioning of the Commerce Act. Now I know that the Commerce Commission under the current law finds it difficult for them to enforce in this space. I know the main difference in this bill is amending section 36 which will prevent businesses from harming their competitors in ways that also harm consumers. Now that must be a good thing: ensuring and preventing businesses from harming their competitors in ways that also harm consumers. We need to protect all people businesses and consumers. This makes it clearer makes it function better and will help deter anti-competitive conduct. So I support this because it makes it fairer. It ensures it deals with market power and it's just a good functioning piece of legislation. Now the previous Minister who we want to acknowledge the Hon Kris Faafoi obviously got the ball rolling in terms of seeing the review back in 2019. In this review they produced some main policy changes that they want to implement on this bill. The review that they undertook included consultation with businesses with industry organisations with competition and intellectual property - focused law firms and other bodies including Consumer New Zealand and the Commerce Commission. So the fact that the legwork that consultation has already taken place before we even get to the first reading I think shows that this piece of legislation this bill will stack up when it comes to select committee and then to the second reading. As I said at the start I look forward to being on that select committee and hearing the submissions and understanding where things fit in terms of ensuring that New Zealand is fair that market power ensures that all people have a chance and that there is good functioning legislation.In closing I guess I just want to refer back to the purpose: strengthening the Act. As my colleague to my left Naisi Chen said this was legislation that was before she was born and that makes—I thought I was quite young. But obviously—I was 11 years old but let's not talk about that.Rachel Brooking: It's been a long time coming. GLEN BENNETT: It's been a long time coming. I don't remember as an 11-year-old this piece of legislation particularly but now it's about strengthening the Act's section 36 it's about empowering the Commerce Commission it's around repealing safe harbours in the Act for intellectual property and of course it's making a number of technical changes.So I support and look forward to the many submissions the many emails the many nights of reading people's ideas opinions hopefully not too many theses on this piece of legislation. But it's my pleasure to stand here and my pleasure to go to select committee in supporting this bill to the House. Kia ora.DEPUTY SPEAKER: This is a split call.