Wong Pansy: Auckland War Memorial Museum Site Empowering Bill — Second Reading Instruction to CommitteeCWH In Committee Third Reading 
Wong Pansy: Auckland War Memorial Museum Site Empowering Bill — Second Reading Instruction to CommitteeCWH In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:611;Page:8374] 
PANSY WONG (NZ National) 
: 
 Part 1 consists of the commencement date the purposes of the Act and interpretation. An interesting point was raised by the Hon Ken Shirley when he said there is a convention in Parliament not to read a speech and I just remembered that that is what the Hon Judith Tizard does every time she makes a speech. This bill will come into force on the day after the date on which it receives the royal assent. I reinforce the fact that the National Party is very pleased to facilitate the express passage of this fine legislation. We have agreed to cooperate so that the report back the Committee stage and the third reading of this bill can be fast tracked through Parliament. It is important to achieve that to enable the museum board to commence work on this exciting redevelopment project for this Auckland icon. 
Clause 3(a) states that the purpose of this bill is to “repeal the Auckland Institute and Museum Site Empowering Act 1918;”. It is interesting to note that we retained the word “empowering” which was part of the 1918 Act. Like my colleague Judith Collins I am pleased to see that the words “war memorial” are added to this current bill because as I mentioned at the reporting back stage the Anzac Day dawn service and afternoon parade were very moving indeed. 
Jill Pettis 
: Let’s get moving. 
PANSY WONG 
: Why does Ms Jill Pettis not just stand up and take a call and say whatever is on her mind? I wonder why Labour members are not proud of this bill. On this side of the Chamber we are just so proud of the bill that we cannot contain ourselves from sharing with the public. The Labour Party just keeps wanting to shut down the debate. It is amazing how small-minded some members are. Anyway the other purpose of this bill is to empower the leasing of the land in the Auckland Domain to the board which of course is— 
Jill Pettis 
: Every day you delay it’s $300 extra in building costs. 
PANSY WONG 
: Oh I see. Is it $300? 
Jill Pettis 
: Over and above. 
PANSY WONG 
: It is $300 over and above the building costs. Is this member continuing to try to downplay the icon of Auckland City—our Auckland Museum? What is—[ 
Interruption 
] Oh I want the public to share in and see what the Labour Party has stooped to—even to bringing my family and my deceased father into this debate! I ask how low Parliament has sunk to. If there is a convention in Parliament I would expect Madam Chair to take it up with members so that our families are not brought into the debate. It happens to be a very serious issue and it is very personal to me. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Ann Hartley) 
: The member should withdraw and apologise for that remark. 
Jill Pettis 
: I will withdraw and apologise of course. 
Richard Worth 
: I raise a point of order Madam Chairperson. She has not done that. 
Jill Pettis 
: I most certainly will. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Ann Hartley) 
: The member will stand withdraw and apologise just to clarify matters. 
Jill Pettis 
: I did most certainly—without hesitation. I withdraw and apologise. 
Opposition Members  
: She has not said it. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Ann Hartley) 
: No no. She did. 
PANSY WONG 
: Madam Chair I will take your word that the member has apologised and withdrawn her statement. Let me reiterate that despite those interjections members on this side of the Chamber are still very proud of being able to assist the passage of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Site Empowering Bill. But I also believe that the public want to know—apart from the title—what the purpose is of this bill. We mention first of all that it repeals a 1918 Act and also empowers the leasing of land.