Mark RonHon RON MARK (Minister of Defence): I really do want to compliment that first-term member Chris Penk on his ability to see his arguments through and frame them in such an entertaining way. In answer to that very deliberate and in-depth question—yes. The one question I do think needs addressing—well there's a couple I'll attempt to address but one specifically on information sharing: I think this is an important matter. I know that it was discussed within the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee. Whilst it wasn't reported on I do know it was discussed in some depth. So for the record and for those people who are watching this evening the question will information be shared with overseas authorities?"—well that's pretty fundamental and basic given the intent and the seriousness of the matter contained within the bill.Disclosure of information could be proactive and reactive or it can take place under a range of conditions: (1) mutual legal assistance to other signatories—that's mutual legal assistance mechanisms; (2) through Interpol channels—there may be a need to share that information with other nations who themselves are prosecuting a case or are concerned; (3) under bilateral arrangements and agreements already struck between our nation and other signatories between the governments—these arrangements being such that they govern the sharing of information in pursuance or in accordance with any treaties that New Zealand is party to which we have signed up to. It should not be assumed that disclosure will only be to friends or allies. The Arms Trade Treaty provides that any party can request information and thereby New Zealand is duty-bound to assist and participate and comply. The disclosure provisions are based on similar provisions in other existing New Zealand legislation. So I think that was an important question; it deserved an answer.Why is the Attorney-General's consent required? Legislation with extraterritorial jurisdiction generally requires the Attorney-General's consent. There we are—that's pretty standard. By nature brokering transactions will always occur outside of New Zealand. Investigations and/or—or/and and and/or; did I get that right?—prosecutions under the bill are likely to require assistance and cooperation from overseas authorities and considerations of a number of sensitive complex factors.There was another question around the meaning of "ordinary resident". For the purpose of this bill a person shall be deemed to be an ordinary resident in New Zealand if his or her home is in New Zealand; or he or she is residing in New Zealand with the intention of residing therein indefinitely; or having resided in New Zealand with the intention of establishing his or her home therein or with the intention of residing in New Zealand indefinitely he or she is outside New Zealand but has an intention to return to establish his or her home therein or reside. I think that's pretty consistent with existing legislation.A public register of registered brokers—what are the protections for brokers? Limited details of brokers will be published on the register—that's clause 17(b)(i) (ii) and (iii)—the broker's full name and trading name the date of registration and the date of expiry and any other particulars that may be prescribed in the regulations. So I think that's pretty basic and pretty much what one would expect where people are being registered and permitted and licensed to trade in international arms and weapons of that type."