Hide Rodney: Public Transport Management Bill — In Committee 
Hide Rodney: Public Transport Management Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:650;Page:18656] 
RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) 
: 
 It is great to stand up on behalf of Auckland and Auckland residents and consumers of public transport. And that is what we are debating here in this Committee—not what a bus company wants not what a political party might like but what is in the best interests of Auckland and in particular as Keith Locke will agree the very fine people of Epsom. As a consequence of the Greens’ Supplementary Order Paper supporting option C there will now be greater competition for contracts for public services and for public transport. It will mean that new entrants can come in. We know they are waiting in the wings and those operators who offer the best value for money will win the contracts. We as consumers of public transport will get better reliability better frequency better time-of-day coverage and more convenient services and flexibility to meet customer needs. All this means better value for the $94 million in public subsidies. It is no wonder the dominant operator is worried that option C will pass because now there will be genuine competition for services. 
I heard Maurice Williamson say that the ACT party is supporting Trotskyite socialism but I have to say that full contracting models operate in Adelaide Brisbane and Perth and when I last looked they were not Trotskyite socialist places. Christchurch itself is 98 percent contracted and to be honest in the period 1990 to 2005 Auckland moved from being the second-highest user of bus transport in Australia and the New Zealand region to the second-lowest on a population-patronage ratio. The needs of customers in Auckland have not been met since the Transport Services Licensing Act 1989 came into force with its two-tier commercial and contracted bus systems. That legislation was another example of Wellington bureaucrats getting it wrong when it comes to Auckland. Aucklanders cannot have fully integrated electronic ticketing until we get this change to full contracting. Patronage now is about 52 million; Auckland wants to see it up to 100 million by 2016. 
I notice that the dominant players did not come waving cheque books looking to pressure me in the last few days. They must have known it would not do any good. They pinned their hopes on New Zealand First after being promised by New Zealand First that they could deliver but as everyone discovers that is not a very smart idea. 
Peter Brown 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. Allegations have been made by Mr Hide that people came with cheque books to influence New Zealand First’s position on this legislation. I take total exception to that—absolute total exception. Not one iota of a suggestion of that sort of carry-on has been made to anybody in New Zealand First. It is absolutely disgraceful. We have a member over here who tackled Television New Zealand Ltd (TVNZ) with tapes and transcripts that were found to be false. He is firing allegations out left right and centre. I insist that he withdraw and apologise. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Can I say to the member on my left that it would be out of order to suggest that a member takes payment to act in a certain way and the member must be careful not to do that. I would caution the member to desist in the way he does that and to withdraw. 
RODNEY HIDE 
: I withdraw. 
Peter Brown 
: And apologise. 
RODNEY HIDE 
: Shut up Peter. 
Peter Brown 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. This is a very sinister serious accusation. I cannot think of anything more serious— 
Dail Jones 
: Repeat it outside. 
Peter Brown 
: As my colleague says if the man has not got the gumption to stand withdraw and apologise then I challenge him to say that outside the Chamber—I challenge him. I want the withdrawal and apology. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: I asked the member to withdraw and he did so and I asked him to desist and he told me that he would. I would like to leave it at that but I just caution the member that he cannot in any way imply that members take payment. That is totally out of order. 
RODNEY HIDE 
: Thank you Mr Chairman I will leave that— 
Peter Brown 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. 
RODNEY HIDE 
: They do not let the ACT party speak at any time. What is going on? 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Would the member please be seated. I call Mr Brown. 
Peter Brown 
: Perhaps you could give me some guidance Mr Chairman. What has a member got to accuse another member of for an apology to be received? He has accused people of being—effectively—on the take. I cannot think of anything worse. I have heard people be compelled to withdraw and apologise for a lot less offence and I believe that I am entitled to an apology. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Is the member taking offence? 
Peter Brown 
: I said that from the word go. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: OK I now ask the member to apologise. The member has taken offence. 
RODNEY HIDE 
: Well make up your mind. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: The member Peter Brown has taken offence the member Rodney Hide will apologise. 
RODNEY HIDE 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: No the member will apologise first. 
RODNEY HIDE 
: No. 
Peter Brown 
: Get the words out. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Both of you just calm down. Just feel relaxed and when you are feeling relaxed relax even more both of you. I have a yellow card in here. 
RODNEY HIDE 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. You asked me to withdraw and I did. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: Yes I know you did but I have to say Mr Hide that Mr Brown has taken great offence and has asked that you apologise as well. Having listened to him again I have accepted that position. So I ask the member to apologise. 
RODNEY HIDE 
: I refuse. 
The CHAIRPERSON (H V Ross Robertson) 
: You leave me no alternative Mr Hide. I ask you to apologise. Then the member leaves me no alternative; the member will leave the Chamber. 
Rodney Hide withdrew from the Chamber.