6. DIANNE YATES (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Trade
What has been the level of recent growth in the value of New Zealand’s trade with ASEAN countries?
Hon PHIL GOFF (Minister of Trade) Link to this
In the last 2 years New Zealand exports to ASEAN countries increased in value by 28 percent, from nearly $2.4 billion in the year to June 2005, to about $3.1 billion in the year to June 2007. In the last year alone, the value of our trade with ASEAN countries has grown by 16 percent. That represents excellent progress.
What progress has been made in our trade with Singapore and Thailand since New Zealand concluded free-trade agreements with those countries?
The New Zealand - Thailand Closer Economic Partnership Agreement came into effect on 1 July 2005. In the 2 years since then exports have increased by 36.5 percent. That is substantially ahead of the 14.1 percent average increase in exports to all destinations recorded over the same period. Trade with Singapore since 2005 has increased by a total of 22.8 percent. The growth of New Zealand exports to the region overall has been very impressive, and I think that the closer economic partnerships with those two countries have contributed to that trade growth.
New Zealand, together with Australia, is currently negotiating a free-trade agreement with the ASEAN countries as a whole. The conclusion of that free-trade agreement will clearly assist growth in trade, depending on its level of ambition. But even more important, it will increase our standing within the world’s most dynamic region, which is Asia. Recently in Jakarta I also signed a trade and investment facilitation arrangement with Indonesia, which will enhance our trade and economic relationship with the biggest market we have in South-east Asia. Our exports to Indonesia are now worth about $650 million a year. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is also increasing its efforts—for example, by setting up a very successful Beachheads programme in the South-east Asia area.
Gerry BrownleeHas the Minister of Foreign Affairs raised with him any concerns about the impact of the Government’s immigration policies on trade with ASEAN nations following his statement yesterday that “when you talk about an Asia disconnect or lack of relationship with Asia what you are talking about is a failed immigration policy.”; if not, what action does he intend to take with regard to the concerns of the Minister of Foreign Affairs about the Government’s policy having failed in this area?
No, the Minister has not raised that issue with me, but he gave a very good speech yesterday in the great hall next to this Chamber, launching a white paper on New Zealand’s relations with Asia. He said that “we should never underestimate the value of personal contact if we are to become truly engaged with Asia.” I would also say, as the member of Parliament representing the electorate with the biggest ethnic grouping within it, that the people of Asian origin within my electorate make a huge contribution to my community and to New Zealand.
Jeanette Fitzsimons Link to this
Can the Minister tell us what proportion of New Zealand’s imports of illegally and unsustainably logged timber and timber products originate from ASEAN countries, where 2.3 million hectares a year are being totally clear-felled, and would he be happy to see that part of our trade with ASEAN countries reduced?
This Government, and New Zealand, takes illegal logging—as it does illegal fishing—very seriously. We do what we can to prevent the importation into New Zealand of products that are so logged. I cannot give a specific answer to the member, because that would require details I do not have with me, but if she would like to put that question down in written form then I would be happy to get her the details.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
Taking up Mr Brownlee’s question, is there a reason for the business investors’ rules and also the full Immigration Act to be changed by this Government; does that not point out the wisdom of some of the comments that have been made about targeting for economic and social reason the right immigration into New Zealand, and do those two changes not underscore those policies?
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Question No. 6 is set down for the Minister of Trade, not the Minister of Immigration. If you think about the content of that question, Madam Speaker, you would realise that it never mentioned trade, but simply immigration rules.
Madam SPEAKERBut it was related to a question that the member asked that was, in fact, related to it. Would the Minister address the question only in the context of his own portfolio.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. How does that work? I asked a very specific question about the trade relationship with ASEAN nations. To suddenly get the Minister on his feet answering questions about the Government’s immigration policy and about changes to immigration laws, and other arrangements around immigration, hardly fits with a question about trade with ASEAN nations.
But, as I recall, the member also made reference to comments that were made by a Minister relating to immigration. So the Minister will keep within the rules if the Minister addresses only those matters related to the portfolio.
The presence within New Zealand of ethnic communities—particularly, for example, the Indian and Chinese ethnic communities—gives us a greater understanding, culturally, linguistically, and in terms of trade potential, of trade with the countries of origin from which those people come. In respect of the member’s question, I know that the Minister of Immigration has been addressing, over a long period of time, ways of improving the targeting of our immigration policy. But I reiterate that the people whom I deal with on a weekly basis within my electorate are hugely skilled people who come from Asia and who make a great contribution to our country. We should be grateful for that contribution.