5. Question No. 5—JusticeCHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister of JusticeQuestion No. 5—Justice5. CHRIS BISHOP (National) to the Minister of Justice: What does the Ministry of Justice advice dated 11 April 2022 on entrenching sections of the Water Services Entities Bill that she received on 28 November 2022 say and did she seek any advice on entrenchment in that bill earlier?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN (Minister of Justice): I'm advised that the Ministry of Justice provided advice on this matter to my predecessor. This advice was provided verbally in a meeting on 11 April 2022 and then in a written aide memoire on 12 April 2022. On 28 November I sought key points from the Ministry of Justice on the entrenchment issue prior to Cabinet which were received alongside a copy of the 12 April 2022 advice from the ministry. On entrenchment the Ministry of Justice advised that they did not support entrenching provisions in the Water Services Entities Bill to protect against privatisation of water service infrastructure because it would have the same constitutional purpose as the existing entrenched provisions in the Electoral Act and Constitution Act.Chris Bishop: Did the Minister of Local Government consult her about the entrenchment provision in Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) 285 on the Water Services Entities Bill given the Cabinet Manual requirement to consult the Minister of Justice on all proposals affecting constitutional arrangements?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: I did not have any discussions with the Minister of Local Government with respect to these provisions.Chris Bishop: Has she expressed concern to the Minister of Local Government about her failure to consult her about the entrenchment provision in SOP 285 given the Cabinet Manual requirement to consult her as Minister of Justice on all proposals affecting constitutional arrangements?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: I haven't had that discussion with the Minister but I have had it clearly be stated in this House that it was a mistake to enable that SOP to go through. We collectively took responsibility as a caucus for that mistake we fixed that mistake and earlier today that bill went through without the entrenchment provision.Chris Bishop: On what date and at what time did she first learn about the Minister of Local Government's comments in support of entrenchment during the committee stage of the Water Services Entities Bill and what did she do when she learnt about them?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: I don't have a clear recollection of the exact time or date of those discussions. But what I do know is that when it became apparent that we were going to be having those discussions I sought advice on 28 November prior to Cabinet.Chris Bishop: When did she first become aware of the 11 April 2022 advice to her predecessor about entrenching provisions of the Water Services Entities Bill?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: On 28 November 2022.Chris Bishop: Will she ask the Ministry of Justice to make a submission to the Standing Orders Committee inquiry into entrenchment?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: I certainly wouldn't be opposed to that. As the Prime Minister has said this week and last week as well there is a need for a discussion about the use of entrenchment provisions. We look forward to that discussion being had at the Standing Orders Committee.Chris Bishop: Will she now as the Minister responsible for New Zealand's constitution be the first Minister in this Government to be upfront with the public about how this constitutional cluster of epic proportions actually came to be?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: I reject the assertion of that question.SPEAKER: Question No. 6—Dr Tracey McLellan—Hon Carmel Sepuloni: Wow eight supplementaries there.SPEAKER: Order! Carmel Sepuloni stand withdraw and apologise. That's the second time you've interrupted a question.Hon Carmel Sepuloni: I withdraw and apologise.