Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill

It’s a pleasure to round off, from the Government’s side, the first reading speeches for the Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill. I certainly echo the sentiment of previous speakers in welcoming Kahurangi Carter and congratulating her for having her bill drawn. As my colleague Hamish Campbell said, the odds are certainly in your favour, so maybe consider buying a Lotto ticket this Saturday!

Also, I do wish to indicate that I too am a 1980s baby, so I do remember fondly the Billy T satire, who was whanaunga, actually, if you think of those who are from the mighty Maniapoto area. He’s buried just outside of Ngāruawāhia. If you’re going along State Highway 1, you’ve got a lovely hill up near Ngāruawāhia—that was where he was laid to rest. I certainly acknowledge his contribution.

There are bills of consequence in this Parliament, bills where you think, “This is why I came to this House.” Sadly, this is not one of those bills, but I do wish to acknowledge that it is an anon-nomoly.

💬 Hon Nicola Grigg: Phenomenal.

💬 Tom Rutherford: This’ll be the first one they use!

💬 DAN BIDOIS: Ha, ha! There you go. I think it is worth tidying up. It’s no disrespect to the member, but thank you for raising this issue in the House.

When I think of my own experience with satire, of course Billy T. James comes to the fore, but in nearer times, actually, looking at the regime that they have in America—I spent a few years living in America and follow closely a lot of satire shows that are in America. One particular show is Real Time with Bill Maher. I don’t know if anybody on the other side—

💬 Simon Court: How good is Bill Maher.

💬 DAN BIDOIS: He’s good. He’s a good centrist. He’s a Democrat, but he doesn’t mind criticising the Democrats, and he also gets the Republicans in. He is, I think, probably one of the most well-known satirists, who has fallen afoul and gotten on the wrong side of presidents. I think Donald Trump has had a massive run in with him in the past. It is so important for the functioning of a free and liberal democratic society that we enable these satirists to contribute to the public discourse in a way that connects with the public. That’s why people like Bill Maher and The Daily Show and Yes Minister and The Thick of It and Veep. I don’t know if anybody remembers the show Veep. That’s a great satire show—also American. I think they have a huge role to play in helping to engage a wider audience with public discourse.

It is on that basis that this side is going to be supporting this piece of legislation. I just want to do a plug: if the member does want to send it to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, we will have a bipartisan approach on that bill, or the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee, as my colleague Vanessa Weenink suggested. Look, we look forward to the submissions on this bill and to tidying up the piece of legislation. It is well worth reviewing this, after what has become an outdated piece of legislation.

My colleague Hamish Campbell again indicated the history that this bill has been through. I look forward to following with interest the submitters that may come, and I wish to do a call to all two viewers at home that are tuning in, that if you feel strongly about this piece of legislation, submit on the bill and you will be heard as part of the select committee process. On that basis, it is a great privilege to commend this bill to the House.