Mooney JosephJOSEPH MOONEY (National—Southland): Thank you Mr Chair. I want to ask the member about the purpose clause which is to appoint up to 2 members of the Council in accordance with this Act" and it goes on in clause 4(1) to talk about "member in relation to a Council means——"(a) an elected member; or (b) an appointed member". I want to ask the member why this bill is going to effectively remove 129 years of local government democracy. New Zealand has had 129 years where everyone in this country has what's called equal suffrage equal voting rights regardless of gender class or ethnicity. It's been a pillar of our democracy for 129 years and I want to ask the member why.I note that the member referred to the Attorney-General in the human rights analysis saying it was consistent with that. I just want to ask the member a little bit more around that because the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has been referred to at some length in association with things similar to this. Article 46 of that says "Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State people group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act contrary to the Charter of the United Nations or construed as authorizing or encouraging any action which would dismember or impair totally or in part the territorial integrity or political unity of sovereign and independent States."Then it says "In the exercise of the rights enunciated in the present Declaration human rights and fundamental freedoms of all shall be respected. The exercise of the rights set forth in this Declaration shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law and in accordance with international human rights obligations."—I draw a line under that: international human rights obligations—"Any such limitations shall be non-discriminatory and strictly necessary [and respect] for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for meeting the just and most compelling requirements of a democratic society."It then says "The provisions set forth in this Declaration shall be interpreted in accordance with the principles of justice democracy respect for human rights equality non-discrimination good governance and good faith." Then if I turn to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 21 says "Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country directly or through freely chosen representatives."—not appointed representatives I note; freely chosen representatives. Just to underline that point article 21 goes on to say "The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections"—not appointments elections—"which shall be by universal and equal suffrage"—that's equal voting rights—"and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures."I turn back in the context of both of those international instruments to look at the purpose which is to appoint two members not elect two members. Both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples makes it very very clear that human rights obligations and democracy are key as is the right to elect those who govern us in this country. I ask the member: how on earth can this bill be consistent with those very clearly enunciated principles?"