Hayes John: Antarctica (Environmental Protection: Liability Annex) Amendment Bill — Second Reading Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHayes John: Antarctica (Environmental Protection: Liability Annex) Amendment Bill — Second Reading Third Reading[Sitting date: 04 December 2012. Volume:686;Page:7084. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]JOHN HAYES (National—Wairarapa): It is a pleasure to rise and speak on this bill the Antarctica (Environmental Protection: Liability Annex) Amendment Bill because I along with all New Zealanders value our clean green Kiwi image and believe we should do our part in being an environmentally responsible member of our region.The last speaker might do well to reflect on who was responsible for progressing this legislation back in 2005 when as I recall that speaker claimed responsibility for New Zealand chairing the negotiations that led to this amendment bill. I think the foreign Minister at that point was someone called Phil Goff and I presume that that Phil Goff had 3 years between 2005 and 2008 to secure that outcome when he churlishly sits across the House and accuses us of sitting on our backsides. Well look in the mirror Mr Goff—look in the mirror—because I have sat here for the last 12 months watching members on that side of the House doing their level best to stifle democracy through filibustering and I have watched them sit here with all sorts of social engineering legislation and other things which they have valued as of a higher priority than this piece of legislation that we are progressing today.Dr Paul Hutchison: Too busy stifling democracy.JOHN HAYES: Yes Dr Hutchison. They have been too busy stifling democracy. New Zealand is a trading nation and we depend on our relationships with other countries to lift economic performance. Global agreements such as the Antarctic Treaty are part of ensuring our presence and reputation as a responsible nation that pulls its weight globally.As Mr Goff notes the bill went through the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee with totally unanimous agreement and the bill was reported back with no amendments at all. I think that is a credit to ex-colleagues of mine in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade who drafted this bill and to the Minister of Foreign Affairs who brought it to the House. The passing of this bill as the Minister has said will enable New Zealand to formally approve the Antarctic liability annex but it will not enter into force until it has been approved by all 28 treaty consultative parties including New Zealand. We are one of the 12 original signatories to the Antarctic Treaty which was signed I think in Washington in about December 1959.The National Government supports this bill very strongly. We support not only the fulfilment of our international obligations set up under this protocol but also the protection of the Antarctic’s unique environment. The bill is consistent with the Government’s foreign and environmental policies.The environmental issue is extremely important. I was talking to a scientist here in Parliament late last week who was explaining to me that she had been down in the Dry Valleys and tyre tracks were clearly visible left by Sir Edmund Hillary in I think1963. Human footprints in the Antarctic are there for the long haul. We of course have strong historical links with Antarctica—in exploration in research and in environmental protection. Scott Base has been New Zealand’s permanent base in Antarctica since 1959.The annex is an important part of our environmental protection regime and we strongly support it. We are a party to the Madrid Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty including the treaty parties in Madrid Spain in 1991. This protocol provides for a comprehensive regime for the protection of the Antarctic environment as well as dependent and associated ecosystems. Under the protocol Antarctica is designated as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science.I really support this legislation. It is an excellent piece of legislation and it is a great pleasure seeing it go through the House this morning. Thank you.