Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) - New Zealand Parliament

3646 Local Government (Auckland Reorganisation) Bill 16 May 2009
Last night we heard a whole lot of platitudes about how Part 3 was about protecting
the workers. Well, no, it actually is not. It may protect the workers who transition at the
point of the changeover in October 2010, but I ask how many of them will be left. How
many of them will have been rationalised in the meantime? That is why this provision is
extremely important. But, in addition to that, I would like to put forward some
additional amendments to clause 101, “General principles”, in new Part 10. I propose
that we add new subparagraphs (i) to (v) to subclause (1)(a).
Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. This is, I think, the
most serious point of order I have taken with regard to chairing in a very long time. Mr
Chairperson, in giving the call you went from my colleague Winnie Laban to Darien
Fenton. Colin King attempted to take the call at that time. I accept that it is your
discretion to call whom you like. What I would like from you is an assurance that you
received no comment at all from John Carter—as I thought you did—indicating that you
should not accept the closure motion.
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): That is not correct. I have sole discretion
over who takes a call. I am impartial in these matters, and that is where the matter ends.
Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. It is a long tradition,
well established in this House, that calls go from side to side. You chose not to take the
call—
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): I have made my decision. I have sole
discretion as to who is given the call.
Hon Trevor Mallard: I am seeking an assurance that you did not get an instruction
from John Carter.
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): That is impugning my integrity.
Hon Trevor Mallard: It is.
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): It is, and I do not like that. I ask you to
withdraw that comment.
Hon Trevor Mallard: I withdraw.
I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. We are involved at the moment in a very
technical process, which some of us are playing very carefully by the rules, as to the
timing of the tabling of amendments. What you have done in your approach has the
effect of showing considerable favouritism towards the Government. I want to know—
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): That is completely out of order. I strongly
object to that assertion. The discretion as to who takes a call is entirely in the hands of
the Chair at the time. I will choose who takes the call—it is as clear as that. I offered the
call to Darien Fenton, and she has the call. That is where the matter ends.
Hon Darren Hughes: I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. I think the point the
Opposition is raising is a serious one. It is not done to challenge you or your authority,
but it is very important that all the Chairs of the Committee are not seen as liaising with
the Government in any way. Last evening I was surprised to see you meeting with the
chief Government whip and the Clerk of the House at the same time.
The CHAIRPERSON (Lindsay Tisch): I hear what you say; thank you for those
comments. I want to assure you that I do not get my instructions from the other side of
the Chamber. I am an independent person; I chair the Committee as I see the points that
were made earlier by the previous Chairperson presiding as to content, as to delivery,
and as to substance. At this stage, I have given the call to Darien Fenton, and that is
where the call lies.
Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order, Mr Chairperson. I know that I am at
some risk in doing this, but the Committee would be entirely satisfied if you gave it the
assurance that you did not receive any comment from Mr Carter before he left the
Chamber.