Carter John: Local Government Law Reform Bill — In Committee 
Carter John: Local Government Law Reform Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:632;Page:3730] 
JOHN CARTER (National—Northland) 
: 
 That was a close call! I thought for a minute that somebody who had not been microchipped was going to get the call. It is a real worry around here. We are all buzzing and the only thing I can think of is that someone has tried to sing out and it did not work. 
I want to make the important point that if people think that microchipping dogs will stop even one dog attack or one child from being bitten they are absolutely deluding themselves. If they believe that microchipping will stop dog attacks they are stark raving mad. The only thing I can think of is that if someone had a decent microchip and slammed it right through a dog’s nozzle and bent it over then maybe— 
Colin King 
: Through both ends! 
JOHN CARTER 
: Well one could stick it through both ways I guess. But the point is that that will not happen. The sad thing is that people out there who are influenced by those political parties supporting microchipping will think that this legislation will stop dog attacks on people and particularly attacks on young children. I am afraid they will be sadly disillusioned. Indeed we are seeing reports from the SPCA that it is turning dogs away because so many owners are trying to get rid of them because they do not want to have to microchip. 
Do members know what really disappoints me in this place? 
Bob Clarkson 
: What? 
JOHN CARTER 
: It is when particular political parties change their mind for the sake of political expediency. That is really disappointing. I look across at my friend and colleague Doug Woolerton. Three years ago he belonged to a party that had a fellow called Jim Peters. He stood up in the House and said that microchipping was nuts. He said that New Zealand First did not like it and would not support it.” That party was against the microchipping of dogs until Helen Clark waved the microchip in front of Winston Peters’ nose. Then all of a sudden he thought: “Here’s something I like. I’ll accept this little chip.” So Winston took it. The rest of his party had to follow and Doug Woolerton a guy who normally stands up for what he thinks and what he says had to roll over. 
I say to Doug that I am seriously disappointed. He is the sort of guy one can sit down with and have a beer and a bit of a yarn. He is a guy who normally stands true to his word but he backed off. He backed off just so his boss could continue to have free travel around the world looking at other things and not worrying about microchips. I say to Doug that it is a real disgrace when that sort of thing happens in this Parliament. People should stand by what they think and do what they said they would do. Unfortunately New Zealand First members have let themselves down and let the country down. That is disgraceful. 
But sitting behind New Zealand First members is another party United Future. A former member Paul Adams thought that microchipping was great. He was part of United Future. But now all of a sudden Mr Copeland is saying one thing one day one thing another day barking to any tune goodness knows what and whimpering away. 
I tell Mr Copeland that the sad thing is that we could seriously make a difference tonight to the nation if we took a sensible rational approach to this whole issue. But what will happen for some reason that I do not understand—there is some thinking going on which only Gordon can explain—is that he will let the side down he will seriously let the Parliament down and let the people of this country down. The whole nation will be looking at Gordon Copeland and thinking: “That guy backed off that guy let us down that guy prevented us from stopping this silly move by an incompetent Government.” 
It is bad enough that a whole lot of people down in the South Island are without power because we have a silly incompetent Minister of Civil Defence but now we have somebody who wants us to make people put microchips in their dogs when we cannot even get power to people in the South Island. We have a Government that cannot look after the needs of the people but is happy to make sure that dogs are damn well microchipped. That is just not good enough. I say to Doug Woolerton and Gordon Copeland: “You guys have really let the side down.”