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3752 Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill 16 May 2009 Where we agree with the commission, we are implementing its recommendations, as we have done with the provision for one council and one mayor. Where we do not agree with it, we are going back to the people. That is what we are doing. The royal commission went to the people of Auckland and consulted, in an 18-month process that Labour set up and that cost millions of dollars. We respect taxpayers, and we will not waste their money by, in the words of Gordon from Grey Lynn, having “stagnation by consultation” So where we differ from the royal commission, we are going back to the people of Auckland. I am proud that the Auckland Governance Legislation Committee will enable Aucklanders to have their say on how to run their communities. I am proud that I am holding at least four public meetings, and I am proud that we are giving Aucklanders local boards that will enable them to have a real voice. Today the fifth National Government has delivered a basic system of local democracy to Auckland. Now it is time for Aucklanders to have their say. PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA (National—Maungakiekie): This is the evening of a momentous day not just for Auckland but for New Zealand, in that we are debating the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill, a bill that will lead New Zealand forward. I want to correct a few of the misconceptions that have come from across the aisle about consultation that has not yet occurred. Well, this is only the first reading of the bill, I remind some of our colleagues across the aisle, and there will be a level of consultation. We will have a number of public meetings where we will listen to Auckland. These meetings will be about members of Parliament listening to their constituents—not members of Parliament who live in other electorates trying to listen, but members of Parliament who live in their electorates. I also thank the clerks, and the staff of this institution— Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I know that it is not really my role to defend the Prime Minister, but I think attacks on him in this way, by one of his backbenchers, when he is not in the House are just not fair. The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Rick Barker): That is not a point of order. I invite the honourable member to continue with his speech. PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA: Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. Hon Member: You’re useless, Sam. PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA: I am not useless. Mr Assistant Speaker, I have thick skin, and I will continue to talk about the bill. We have heard about how sad that mob over there are about this bill. We have heard the Opposition’s hyperbole and exaggeration about the bill, and, in a week when one of our police officers has been killed, I say it is quite inappropriate for a member of Parliament to say that a gun is being levelled at people’s heads. To talk about deaths and funerals when one of our own members has lost her mother, and to compare that with this bill, is quite inappropriate. We had another member of Parliament from across the aisle—one who does not live in his electorate, of course—claim that the people are watching. Well, they are not watching. They are watching the Blues beat the Crusaders; they are up by 13 to 12, and I am quite happy about that. This bill is about establishing the Auckland Council and the governing board of that council. Hon Clayton Cosgrove: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek some advice. If you could inform us— The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Rick Barker): I am not here for advice. The member is making a point of order. What is the point of order? Hon Clayton Cosgrove: I am seeking to find out whether the Auckland City Council ratepayer or the taxpayer is paying the bill for this member’s speech.
16 May 2009 Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill 3753 The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Rick Barker): That is not a point of order; the member knows that. It was simply an attempt to break up the member’s speech. Hon David Cunliffe: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. This is a two-part point of order. It is a longstanding convention in the House that members should be referred to by their proper names. The member has referred to members opposite by the descriptor “a member who does not live in his electorate”. The second part of the question is whether that descriptor could apply to the member’s leader, when he has filled in a primary place of residence form with an address in his electorate but does not actually live there. Hon Members: What is the point of order? Hon David Cunliffe: The point of order is that, first, I seek the Chair’s guidance to have an offensive remark removed; and, second, I seek clarification of whether an epithet like “a member who does not live in his electorate” could apply to the speaker’s own leader, who filled in a primary place of residence— The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Rick Barker): Neither point is a point of order. The member will resume his seat. PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA: Mr Assistant Speaker, it is clear that we have had a historic day today. It is 13 May, and I am glad to be part of a Government that is taking action. I am glad to be part of a Government that has people like Rodney Hide, John Carter, and the Hon John Key in it. I am proud to be part of a Government that does not talk and sit on its heels for 9 years but takes action. We are leading this country into the future. Whether or not members opposite like it, we will be leading this country for a very long time. I am in support of this bill. Thank you. A party vote was called for on the question, That the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill be now read a first time. Ayes 64 New Zealand National 58; ACT New Zealand 5; United Future 1. Noes 51 New Zealand Labour 42; Green Party 5; Māori Party 4. Bill read a first time. Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government): I move that the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill be considered by the Auckland Governance Legislation Committee. The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Rick Barker): The Clerk reminds me that there was to be a report-back date. Hon RODNEY HIDE: I can read the whole thing, if you like, Mr Assistant Speaker. The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Hon Rick Barker): I think it would be very important that you read the whole thing. Hon RODNEY HIDE: I move, That the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill be considered by the Auckland Governance Legislation Committee and that the committee report finally to the House on or before 4 September 2009. Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South): I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The member had moved the motion. I do not think it is within the discretion of the House to hear the second motion in any way other than as an amendment to the first motion that he had moved. He moved it and sat down; he was finished. I do not think that we can now give him a second chance to get it right. It is a matter that can be corrected by way of a motion in the House properly put down by the Government to
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