7. Question No. 7—Local GovernmentSIMON WATTS (National—North Shore) to the Minister of Local GovernmentQuestion No. 7—Local Government7. SIMON WATTS (National—North Shore) to the Minister of Local Government: Why did she not send the advice she received on 22 November relating to entrenchment of provisions of the Water Services Entities Bill to any other Ministers and does she stand by all her statements on entrenchments?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Local Government): As stated in my personal explanation in the House the advice sought on Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) 285 in the name of Eugenie Sage was technical in nature and not passed on. To the second part of the question I also stand by my comment that it was a mistake it has been resolved through the introduction of SOP 310 and there is no entrenchment clause in the Water Services Entities Bill.Simon Watts: Why did she not share that advice with the Minister of Justice given she is required to consult on all constitutional arrangements with that Minister under section 5.14(d) of the Cabinet Manual?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: As previously stated in other questions that SOP was tabled by Eugenie Sage. The advice sought was technical in nature and not passed on.Simon Watts: Will the Minister table the advice she received on entrenchment on 25 October and 22 November in the House right now; if not why not?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: As previously said in other responses to that member a mistake has been acknowledged it has been fixed there is no constitutional crisis and there is no entrenchment clause in the Water Services Entities Bill.Simon Watts: How does she reconcile her statements that entrenchment was I quote a mistake" when she had received advice twice on it including on the day of the debate and a month beforehand and isn't it really the case that this was no mistake but a deliberate and calculated action?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: No I don't agree with the member. And in a charitable spirit if that member keeps barking up the wrong tree and he wants to keep that dog whistle up I suggest he choose a Christmas carol.Hon Dr Megan Woods: Probably got it hanging out of the garage in South Auckland.SPEAKER: The Hon Dr Megan Woods will stand withdraw and apologise.Hon Dr Megan Woods: I withdraw and apologise.Simon Watts: Did she know that prior to the vote on Supplementary Order Paper 285 the Labour Party members would vote in favour of SOP 285?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: The vote was placed on the day; it has been subsequently rectified because we've acknowledged a mistake was made. The matter has been dealt with: there is no entrenchment clause in the Water Services Entities Bill; there is no constitutional crisis.Chris Bishop: Point of order. That was a very clear and deliberate question which went to the Minister's knowledge about a particular matter. It was not addressed.SPEAKER: I'll ask the member to ask it again.Simon Watts: Did she know prior to the vote on SOP 285 that the Labour Party members would vote in favour of SOP 285?SPEAKER: I'll ask the Minister to answer in so far as she has responsibility for that.Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: I acted in accordance with decisions made by our caucus in relation to SOP 285—it was acknowledged that a mistake was made. It has been rectified: there is no entrenchment clause in the Water Services Entities Bill. There is no constitutional crisis. I suggest that in a charitable spirit the member moves positively into Christmas and has a bit of a break."