SpeechRUSSIA SANCTIONS BILLFirst ReadingHon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Foreign Affairs): I present a legislative statement on the Russia Sanctions Bill.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ian McKelvie): The legislative statement is published under the authority of the House and can be found on the parliamentary website.Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: I move That the Russia Sanctions Bill be now read a first time.Ko te manawa rere kia ū kua ū tēnā tātou e te Whare.[Be resolute the impulsive heart it is indeed! Greetings to all in the House.]Today is the 14th day of war in Ukraine. Russia has not ceased its unprovoked unjustified and inhumane aggression on innocent people in Ukraine. There have been harrowing reports of significant damage to civilian properties schools hospitals and public buildings. Russia has continued to violate the ceasefires promised and has killed indiscriminately men women and children. Families are fleeing for their lives. Russia is causing a massive humanitarian crisis. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has reported that over 2 million people have been displaced and have escaped to the neighbouring countries of Poland Hungary Moldova Romania and Slovakia.The international community has condemned Russia's actions and Aotearoa has been clear that we stand with Ukraine. We've been unequivocal in our call for de-escalation and military retreat. We acted quickly to impose the measures at our disposal and were one of the first to offer humanitarian assistance contributing an initial grant of $2 million to Ukraine for humanitarian organisations with a local presence to offer much-needed help during this winter period. We're looking to increase this as work with the neighbouring countries who have so generously opened their borders to those fleeing Putin's barbaric treatment. As we understand how best we assist those who have stayed in the Ukraine and those who have fled we want to ensure we are doing our bit. We were swift to signal to international allies that we would apply travel bans export controls and have called in the Russian ambassador to make clear our position.Putin has continued on this indiscriminate course of action. As a small country New Zealand believes strongly in the international rules-based order and the multilateral system but this time the United Nations Security Council failed us with Russia vetoing any UN sanctions but the United Nations General Assembly making it very clear with a vote of 141 to 5 who condemned Russia's actions. New Zealand feels it is appropriate to pass this bill strong in the knowledge that we are acting in line with the international community. Today's legislation allows us to step up our response to Russia's grave unprovoked war on the Ukrainian people. It is evident that a united global approach to Russia's actions will require sustained endurance and what I have called a wall of resistance to what is a serious contravention of international law and the UN Charter that we can now see. By taking this action in this particular circumstance New Zealand remains aligned and in-step with international partners. We'll not be used as a backdoor to circumvent others' sanctions regimes.That is why the Government is introducing this targeted sanctions bill under urgency and I do want to acknowledge the Hon Gerry Brownlee. While this is a targeted sanctions bill some of the characteristics of those sanctions mechanisms will be evident to him based on the bill that he previously had in the House. The legislation is purposefully broad. It is a framework which enables me as foreign Minister to recommend specific regulations as the situation warrants in correspondence with international law and with the agreement from a group of Ministers with powers to act. The framework is an enabler. It enables an escalation in our response as aggression in Ukraine escalates and alongside subsequent decisions of international partners. The bill includes better information-sharing provisions and enables in-depth analysis of the financial and corporate structures surrounding individuals and entities. While this is a framework the specific regulations that the bill will enable are being worked through at pace.A public register will be published outlining the specific individuals entities and assets targeted. This will ensure transparency regarding those impacted by the targeted sanctions regime. The legislation enables regulations to be targeted against those who are linked to Russia's war in Ukraine or who are of economic or strategic importance to Putin's regime. It doesn't mean that someone who is Russian and wealthy will automatically be a target. We know that many ordinary Russians do not support this war. We're not looking to target every individual or company simply for being Russian. The legislation also enables us to respond to those States or individuals who might help Russia in their aggression against Ukraine like Belarus. We will be able to stop or restrict people or companies from travelling to or from New Zealand or staying here if they're already here; moving assets to New Zealand or using assets already here; providing or using services like banks loans legal services. This means that we can for example stop the purchase or sale of property the movement of marine vessels ships yachts and planes in New Zealand's waters or airspace stop imports and exports lending of money or the movement of money.We're already working with urgency on the initial tranche of regulations. The first tranche will align New Zealand with partners to prevent assets from being moved here. This will include more extensive travel bans sanctions on Russian banks and potential asset freezes based on decisions with international partners. There will be further phases as we build a bigger picture of assets in New Zealand. The framework for sanctions allows us to evolve dependent on the situations on the ground in Ukraine. It provides us with the ability to carefully examine the relationships and identify individuals and companies that meet the legal threshold outlined in the bill so that we can have the greatest impact on Russia's ability to wage war.There's been a lot of media commentary about the scale of New Zealand's response to Russian aggression and the war taking place in the Ukraine. The actions we have and are taking signal our solidarity with the international community to highlight that the protection of territorial integrity and sovereignty is an important feature of upholding the international rule of law. This is a prime case and reason why it is appropriate to ensure that we have a targeted sanctions bill regarding Russia's active terror on the Ukraine and I'm pleased to introduce it to the House.Āio ki te rangi āio ki te whenua āio ki te ao katoa pai mārire.[Peace in the heavens peace on earth peace to all peoples goodness and peace.]Слава Україні.