International Treaty Examinations — Instruction to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee

I move, That the European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill report to the House before 4 April 2024 and that the committee have authority to meet at any time when the House is sitting (except during oral questions), and during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House, and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House, and outside of the Wellington area, despite Standing Orders 193, 195, and 196.

The European Union have completed their process for the ratification of the free-trade agreement. Now it remains for this House to move through its obligation to do the same thing so that it can enter it into force. We believe that this should be done as quickly as possible, although are mindful that it is important that, through the select committee process, the public, and those of interest, have the opportunity to submit on the legislation and to appear before the committee.

The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee has already given the public an opportunity to consider the free-trade agreement itself, in as far as a treaty examination is concerned. At this time, there are goods exported from New Zealand that are on the water, on their way to Europe. If we’re able to move through this process in a slightly faster time period than might normally be the case, those New Zealand exporters will benefit quickly from the tariff reductions that the free-trade agreement has. To give an example, there are probably tens of millions of dollars’ worth of tariff savings that New Zealand exporters would benefit from through the legislation being passed more quickly. Of course, New Zealand kiwifruit exporters to the European market are not far away from having to make decisions about sending their product to market. I think it would be a good thing for this House to be able to pass the legislation so it can enter into force.

Finally, there are elections coming up in Europe, in the European Parliament. Whilst they have completed their part of the process for entry into force, we would like to do that before the European Parliament elections take place, as it would mean, procedurally, implementation may be delayed. Thank you.

Motion agreed to.