Prime Willow-Jean; Rurawhe AdrianWILLOW-JEAN PRIME (Labour): Tēnā koe e Te Māngai o Te Whare. I won't take a large amount of time in the debate this evening but it is something that I have become aware of and that I think we are becoming increasingly aware of. Information and evidence has come to light that there has been political international interference foreign interference in elections and things that we have been seeing happening around the world. I was fortunate actually to sit on the Justice Committee a couple of times during their inquiry into the general election and also the local body elections and it was a point that was raised in that process. I'm not a permanent member of that committee but for me it was very alarming and so I'm really pleased to see that this measure is being taken by the Minister of Justice—Hon Dr Nick Smith: It exempts local government.WILLOW-JEAN PRIME: I'm not saying that it relates to local government. What I am saying is that I am pleased that the Minister is taking action in time for the election next year to try and put in place measures that are going to limit the potential for that international foreign political interference in our election next year and I think it is commendable.Like we have heard in the House already tonight the Minister has indicated that this is a first step that we are taking—that there are other areas that we want to look at. I am particularly concerned around social media and around hacks. But in terms of this there's been focus on the amount of money and particularly the financial interference but there are actually other measures in here in terms of the promotion of material around election time and a new requirement to disclose who has sponsored that and where they come from. I have seen in processes already that have come before Parliament that there has been international financial backing of advertisements in our subcommittee processes. So I think that we are able to take some steps immediately that will be able to come into effect and allow the Electoral Commission to put the procedures and the necessary mechanisms in place prior to our election next year and that is commendable and absolutely something that we should be doing right here and now.I also believe that the bill introduces a stronger positive duty on candidates and on secretaries requiring them to take steps to satisfy themselves that donations over $50 are not from an overseas person—a positive obligation on candidates and on party secretaries to make sure that we are doing due diligence taking all reasonable steps to identify that. I think that it's important that we have that obligation within the legislation.Now the Minister indicated in his speech in opening up the debate on this bill that he looks forward to the Justice Committee's report back on foreign interference into our electoral system and with great interest. It says there that it's likely to cover a whole range of issues like hacking social media influence and disinformation. If we look to Australia and to the United States and also around Brexit there is evidence that this has been an issue so if there are any measures that we can take now to ensure that we have the best possible and fairest election next year then we should be. I hope that that report from the Justice Committee completing that inquiry is forthcoming and we are able to take further steps.The other thing that I am heartened by is the Minister's indication that we need to do a comprehensive review of the Electoral Act—that it is overdue and that that is something that could happen after the 2020 election.With that I actually took longer than I thought but I am quite passionate about this and so I commend the bill to the House.ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): OK we're on a split call. This is call No. 9—or do the whips have some information for me? OK well obviously not. I'll make the call. This is a split call—five minutes.