Cosgrove Clayton:  
Cosgrove Clayton:  
[Volume:654;Page:83] 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Labour—Waimakariri) 
: 
 Tonight we have seen the National Government take the Local Government (Auckland Reorganisation) Bill so seriously that it has put up the heavy hitters. First we had Mr John Carter and we know Mr Carter’s form and credibility in this Chamber and in other places. We know that he will go down in the annals of Parliament not for his contribution in the Chamber but for his contribution to talkback radio. As I recall Mr Carter tried to imitate a Maori person by the name of Hone; that was his great contribution to New Zealand. We then heard from Tau Henare. Of course Tau Henare has been in more parties than any of us have had hot dinners apart from Gerry Brownlee. 
I am sure Mr Hide is poking around here somewhere and he said a very interesting thing at the local government conference in February. He said: “It is always a good idea before a spend-up to get the agreement of the people who are going to pay for it.” That is what Mr Hide said to the local government conference. I think that in our democratic society that is not a bad thing. 
Hon Gerry Brownlee 
: Oh! Oh! 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: Do not worry I say to Gerry; Pizza Hut will be open after the Committee rises. I tell him to stay awake. 
I think that was a fair comment by Mr Hide but the problem is that for this bill the Government has no agreement from the people of Auckland. Tau Henare got up and asked why Labour members have made contribution after contribution for over 8 hours in this debate. The truth is that we have done so because we are the last line of defence for the people of Auckland to make a contribution and put their voices forward. 
Mr Brownlee was described in the Christchurch  
Press 
 last week by his mate Dave Henderson as quite a nice guy but absolutely useless. That was from a mate of his. 
Hon Gerry Brownlee 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. I want to confirm that that was the comment that was made but I also point out that the particular gentleman mentioned has never met Clayton so God knows what he would say about him! 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Rick Barker) 
: Members I want to let the debate flow. I realise that we are not being particular about the Standing Orders in respect of requiring members to talk about the bill. I ask members not to take points of order so that we can get on with the debate and people’s speeches can flow freely. I invite the Hon Clayton Cosgrove to resume. 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: That is fine. That contribution just shows what a plonker Gerry is—that is the truth. If that is the best contribution that Gerry can make then Dave Henderson is dead right because on this side of the Chamber we are the last line of defence for the people of Auckland. [ 
Interruption 
] Oh he does not like it. 
David Garrett 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. We have heard points of order from Labour members on a number of occasions this evening about the use of members’ full names. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Rick Barker) 
: The member is correct and I would advise Clayton Cosgrove that he took a point of order on the use of full names. I think the member should take his own advice and speak according to his own views. 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: I could not agree more. The Hon Gerry Brownlee is the man named in the Christchurch  
Press 
 as the third most powerful person in New Zealand. God help us! Even the third most powerful person in New Zealand will not allow over a million Aucklanders to have their say. So for over 8 hours Labour members have stood up and Mr Hawkins has put up hundreds of amendments because we are here to defend the democratic right of the people of Auckland to have a say. 
National members believe that consultation goes like this: there is a royal commission of inquiry; the commission’s report is accepted—and I think it was Mr Henare who said he agreed with the commission’s report—the commission’s report is changed; and the Government’s own proposal which has not been consulted on is put up and is rammed through under urgency. That to National members is consultation. If they do not like the fact that they are here at 11.31 p.m.—and Mr Brownlee would rather be at home in bed beside the pie warmer warming up supper—then I say to them that they are going to have to do some work. I tell them to strap in because it is going to be a bumpy ride for the next day or so. Even if they do not like to work they are going to have to work because Labour members will allow Aucklanders to have representation through this House. 
Among the National members sitting there is the member for Auckland Central who has betrayed every one of her constituents. Mr Bakshi who I think has made a contribution in this House only twice sits there like the ghost who walks. He does not represent his community. He was elected to this House to represent his community in Mount Albert in Auckland and he has said nothing in this debate. In the Law and Order Committee Mr Bakshi has said nothing apart from his name since he was elected. He is like a ghost. I invite that member to get up. A miracle may happen: Mr Bakshi may get up and take a call. He may put forward his personal view and represent the people who elected him. I am happy to yield now if he will get up and take a call.