Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) - New Zealand Parliament

16 May 2009 Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill 3739
The next issue is the cost. If the Minister of Local Government is so confident that
this is in the interests of Aucklanders, why does he not come clean and tell ratepayers
how much it will cost them? We had to go to Auckland University for independent
analysis, and the cost—I say to the ladies and gentlemen out there—is $750 extra per
ratepayer, on average. That is what it will cost to fund the transition to make Rodney
Hide the “Emperor of Auckland” with his mate John Banks. At $750 each, and with
four people in most households, the cost to each household will be $3,000 extra.
Ratepayers might get it back over 20 years, but right now they are paying for the
political escapades of Rodney Hide and John Banks. We are not enjoying it; nor will
they.
Here we are, after a week of pretty heavy going in the House. We have had some fun
too, and members may have noticed that our team has enjoyed itself. We are seeing
National at its bulldozing worst. it is bulldozing the democratic institutions of
Auckland.
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I think you know the song about interjections
being rare, reasonable, and, hopefully, even witty. I observe that the former Leader of
the House is none of those three, and it would be good if I could carry on with the
speech.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: That is a good point.
Hon Gerry Brownlee: Michael Cullen is not actually here. He is the former Leader
of the House.
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: No; I will rule on this. We are getting near the end of a
very hectic 3 days, and it has become quite raucous. We have had a very robust debate
over the 3 days. But I ask members to give respect to the member on his feet. Crossinterjections
should be rare and reasonable.
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE: Look, it is not about me or us; it is about the people of
Auckland, and they care about this bill. I ask members to think about them as they do
this to them.
We are saying that the arrogance of top-down government does not sit well with
New Zealanders. Kiwis are fair and decent people, but they are independent people.
They got away from being the servants of the British Empire or some foreign
Government, and they came here for a new life. They came here because they wanted to
be able to decide for themselves how to live that new life. They will not appreciate
Rodney Hide taking away democracy in Auckland. Although, of course, the
Government can pass this bill just as it passed the other one, the people will have the
final say. The many people who are watching tonight will remember this.
Out west we had a little community meeting on a cold, wet Monday night, and 250
people turned up. That was not by accident.
Hon Gerry Brownlee: Where were you? Back in front of the heater in Herne Bay?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE: I say to Mr Brownlee that I was there. Two days’ notice
was given of a march in Henderson, and 1,000 people turned up. They do not do that for
no reason. A hīkoi will bring the kaumātua of the north and the south together in
Auckland, and I think we need to take notice of that.
Hon Gerry Brownlee: The patronising member from Herne Bay.
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE: I say to Mr Brownlee that there are some political
lessons. One of those is not to leave House procedure to the so-called Leader of the
House. Forty-eight hours of debate and thousands of amendments after he had said we
would be out of here, we finally concluded the other bill. The second lesson—
Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I want to know why that
lazy Opposition could not take us right through to Budget day, as David Cunliffe
promised.