Sabin Mike: Summary Offences (Possession of Hand-held Lasers) Amendment Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSabin Mike: Summary Offences (Possession of Hand-held Lasers) Amendment Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 28 May 2014. Volume:699;Page:18434. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MIKE SABIN (National—Northland): I also stand to join in the love fest for the fine member Dr Cam Calder and this piece of legislation the Summary Offences (Possession of Hand-held Lasers) Amendment Bill. Although there has been a little bit of tongue in cheek—I think in one previous debate we were talking about Iain Lees-Galloway playing with his pussy in his living room with his laser light or something of that nature—Iain Lees-Galloway: You’re obsessed.MIKE SABIN: Indeed! There is a high possibility. There has been an element of joviality I guess but in all seriousness this bill deals with what potentially is a fatal act. Indeed we have seen it overseas in warring nations where high-powered lasers have actually been used in efforts to take down enemy aircraft or allied aircraft. Although we do see them obviously here in the New Zealand domestic setting it is a fact to say that hand-held lasers and particularly high-powered ones are used as a weapon of war. What we are dealing with here putting all jokes aside is a very serious piece of legislation. I know that Dr Calder has worked very very hard to try to ascertain exactly where this piece of legislation should land in terms of the nature of the possession of hand-held lasers. This is very much talking about the preventative end of the spectrum rather than a punitive one after the act if you like and also what would constitute a laser light sufficient to cause distraction to a pilot or blind a pilot or a vehicle user.I know Dr Calder did have some reservations about the idea of consigning it only to high-powered lasers. That said the officials made very good points as to why that should be the case. It is interesting when we reflect on something such as the possession of a knife which in itself may not constitute an offence but in given circumstances obviously can do. But we do not measure the length of a knife in terms of whether or not it would constitute being a dangerous offence. I guess Dr Calder rightly pointed out that we are in that same territory when we talk about a laser. But I think on balance we have landed in a good space on this bill. I think it is testament to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee process that we are able to work through this so that the bill achieves what it is intended to do and that is not to send shivers down the spines of university lecturers around the country who have a hand-held laser in their pocket and are on their way to lecture the fine citizens of New Zealand. It is for those who have a high-powered laser in their possession and potentially would use it in a malicious and dangerous manner. In that regard I think the legislation has achieved its purpose.Like so many things in life I think it is the little things that get you—not you Mr Deputy Speaker so much but the public—and this is one of those things. A little thing can have a marked and significant impact and in fact can cause the loss of life. Although I do not believe that every pilot in New Zealand is sitting around watching the passage of this legislation through the House I know that they will certainly be grateful for the work of Dr Cam Calder. I think it is a very tidy constructive piece of legislation. I have enjoyed working with members from across the House and actually doing something that while we can trifle about it in some small shape or form is a significant and important change. I think it has the potential to save lives. It is as simple as that. I am very happy to commend the work of Dr Calder the select committee and this bill to the House.