Brown Peter: Railways Bill — Second Reading Instruction to Committee In Committee Third Reading 
Brown Peter: Railways Bill — Second Reading Instruction to Committee In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:625;Page:19901] 
PETER BROWN (Deputy Leader—NZ First) 
: 
 I agree with almost every word the honourable member who has just resumed her seat said. When this bill went through the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee there was a great deal of cooperation between members. The officials took a huge amount of time going back three or four times I think to various participants in the railway system. I also agree that this bill is essential to make our railways safe. I most certainly agree that the Government has bought back the railway line in a dilapidated state and that it needs some capital injected into it. I do not think $200 million will be enough—I think it will fall short by a long way—but I agree that the railway system was in a dilapidated state and needed some money put into it. 
But now we have this Supplementary Order Paper about which I note the honourable member Lynne Pillay did not say a word. I have only just received a copy of it and I have only had a limited amount of time to read it. I have to say that it raises a question mark in my head. I listened to the Hon Maurice Williamson and I think he made a very good point—despite the fact that he is obviously suffering from Alzheimer’s because he could not remember that Peter Brown and New Zealand First were on the select committee. 
Hon Maurice Williamson 
: I said that. 
PETER BROWN 
: No the member did not. He got it wrong. 
Hon Maurice Williamson 
: My total apology. I withdraw and apologise. 
PETER BROWN 
: I thank the member. He has raised some concerns that do not sit comfortably with us at all. We will take a closer look at this Supplementary Order Paper because I hope the Minister has not undermined— 
Hon Maurice Williamson 
: Michael Cullen. 
PETER BROWN 
: Does the member think it is a Michael Cullen trick? 
Hon Maurice Williamson 
: Yes he changed one word— 
PETER BROWN 
: He has actually changed about a thousand words by the look of this Supplementary Order Paper so we will take a very careful look at it. I hope that the Minister has not pulled some sort of swifty on the select committee because the select committee took a lot of time and trouble in endeavouring to get this bill right. New Zealand First is of the mind that the bill should be supported in its entirety and if the Minister has reversed some of the assertions in the bill then we will be concerned. 
Our only other concern—we would like to put this to the Government maybe one of the next speakers for the Government will tell us the reason—is why it has taken so long to get this bill before the House. The bill was reported back mid last year and now in April 2005 we are discussing it in urgency and trying to progress it through the House. 
I do not think there is a great deal more I can say. I remember at the time being impressed by the way the select committee applied its talents its determination and its dedication to getting this bill correct and fair in all manner of areas. New Zealand First was very impressed with the attitude of the committee and the outcome—the way the bill was finalised. But I am just a bit concerned by this Supplementary Order Paper and we will be taking a closer look at it when the bill gets to the Committee stage. In the meantime New Zealand First still supports the bill.