McAnulty KieranKIERAN McANULTY (Labour): What a shame. The National Party had an opportunity here to send a message as it has done numerous times in this House to the rural communities across this country that they are going to work constructively with this Government to find a way in which we can establish a framework to ensure economic prosperity in our rural communities. And what do we see? We see the National Party playing politics yet again because they see—rather foolishly in my mind—that fighting these battles and opposing such legislation is going to win them votes. But the message that they are sending in opposing the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 3) is that they are grasping at straws for relevancy. What they are doing is they are trying to appeal and create some differences to this Government. But with this legislation we are yet again as a Government proving that we are providing long-term solutions to agriculture and to rural communities. What we have done is consulted wisely on this piece of legislation. We have undertaken an extensive review and consultation with various groups and I've got them listed here—with farmers independent dairy processors NGOs and representatives of Māori interests—on measures that will ensure the legislation is fit for purpose. Some said there should be less regulations; some said there should be more. We feel that we have found the balance. And what the National Party could have done—as they have done many many times before—they could have stood and said We have reservations about this bill. We will support it at the first reading and get it to select committee and we will let the public have their say." But they have nailed their colours to the mast in opposing this bill already and far too soon in my view because this piece of legislation will ensure that the dairy industry continues to be competitive and continues to operate in a way that restores and enhances and maintains our reputation as a fair and sustainable producer that lives up to the brand as much as it can whilst continuing to improve how we portray ourselves overseas.But they haven't taken that chance. The National Party have opposed this. They say that it is competitive enough. That's not what we've heard when we've actually consulted the industry. They say in their opening gambit—Todd Muller said that the Minister of Agriculture said something which he clearly did not say and then stood up and listed a number of things that they think that are good in this bill and that the Minister has clearly consulted in listening to the industry and made some changes which will go down well. The list of things that the National Party supported in this bill was longer than those which they opposed and I think that sends a very clear message to everybody.They don't oppose this bill. They don't oppose this bill at all. They see merit in this bill but they are trying to create some relevancy in opposing something—anything. When they see the gains that this Government is making for rural communities they finally see an opportunity. I don't believe that they oppose this bill but if they want to play politics let them because we know at the end of the day that this bill benefits the dairy industry and benefits the rural communities that support it."