Carter David: Building Bill — In Committee 
Carter David: Building Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:619;Page:14779] 
Hon DAVID CARTER (National) 
: 
 I have been listening to the debate and particularly to the contributions from United Future members and the very odd contributions from Labour members and they keep talking about this legislation offering protection to the consumer. That sounds pretty good if that is what it does. Murray Smith particularly spoke about licensed building practitioners. Then when I look at clause 2 “Commencement” I am puzzled to find that some significant sections of the legislation come into effect on 30 November 2009—5½ years away. That will be well after the Labour Government has been defeated at the polls and well after many of those speaking in this debate tonight have ceased to be members of Parliament. 
Dianne Yates 
: It gives time for you to complete your apprenticeship. 
Hon DAVID CARTER 
: Well Dianne Yates has the reason! I was wondering what the reason was; it is for me to complete my apprenticeship. I have news for that member. I am not about to embark on an apprenticeship but that member may well need to. She comes from one of those marginal Hamilton seats. 
Darren Hughes 
: Like Banks Peninsula. 
Hon DAVID CARTER 
: Banks Peninsula is very marginalised. I thank the junior Government whip for his contribution. It is a very marginal electorate; we are looking forward to the battle. 
But back to the Building Bill and I would really like a contribution from the Minister. The Hon John Tamihere is now in the chair so that is the third Minister we have had in about an hour of this debate—three of them. Not one of them has stood to answer a question and I have a very serious question for John Tamihere to answer. 
Dr Wayne Mapp 
: He does not know anything about the bill. 
Hon DAVID CARTER 
: My colleague Dr Wayne Mapp says that Mr Tamihere does not know anything about it but Supplementary Order Paper 241 is in his name. So I think he has a duty to rise and explain to members because it is a genuine question I am raising. I was not involved in the Government Administration Committee and all I want to know is why members are debating legislation now when a significant portion of it does not come into effect until the end of 2009. I cannot recall other legislation such as this bill being debated with a 5-year enactment path. I just cannot believe that members of the Government supported by United Future can stand and say hand on heart that this legislation is all about delivering protection to those people who are suffering from leaky homes and can then say: “Oh and by the way we won’t be doing much about it until 2009.” I just do not think that is appropriate. 
It reinforces the first point I made that this legislation is designed for no other purpose than to try to con the public of New Zealand that the leaky home saga has now been resolved and put to bed by the Building Bill because that is clearly not the case. So I ask the Minister in the chair the Hon John Tamihere to rise to his feet. I would appreciate a very clear concise simple—and no doubt it will be simple; there is no doubt about that if it comes from the Minister—explanation as to why any portion of this legislation requires 5½ years before it comes into effect.