Maritime Transport (Offshore Installations) Amendment Bill

Thank you, Madam Chairperson.

CHAIRPERSON (Hon Ruth Dyson): You’re welcome.

I do appreciate your instruction on exactly what we’re talking about here. I’ll take just a very short call indicating that this is a bill that we are supporting. It is one of those bills that probably falls in line with a great deal of the work that gets done in this House where there is generally agreement. It is making provisions that should be accepted that are sensible in the law. With those comments, I think I will now resume my seat.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak in support of this bill. In fact, as I said in the second reading of this bill, this was work that the previous National-led Government initiated because we saw some need for work to have financial assurance around any potential offshore spill, which I think not only would every New Zealander agree with but the operators who have offshore installations fully accept their responsibility and part to play in ensuring that our environment is protected.

Just the other day—I think it was yesterday—the Hon Julie Anne Genter proposed a Supplementary Order Paper (SOP), SOP 417, which would enable those certificates of insurance to be altered. Obviously, this is applying to one particular company. We feel that there is some sense in that—that those companies do want to comply with the intent and spirit of this legislation. So we support that SOP, and we think that, of course, all of these are rational provisions put in place to ensure that the environment, which we love, is continued to be cared for and protected and that every element is put in place to mitigate any risk.

That’s all I really want to say at this point in time, because I think that’s the only change that’s really come this way. But can I just assure, as I’ve had conversations with the sector regarding that SOP, that there is commitment to that. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The question was put that the amendment set out on Supplementary Order Paper 417 in the name of the Hon Julie Anne Genter to clause 7 be agreed to.

Amendment agreed to.

Parts 1 and 2 and clauses 1 to 3 as amended agreed to.

Bill to be reported with amendment presently.