Robertson Grant: Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill — In Committee 
Robertson Grant: Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:668;Page:15119] 
GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) 
: 
 It is a pleasure to take a call in the debate on the title of the Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill. The title is simply not generous enough to the Government. I think it needs to really capture John Hayes’ passion for this issue. Possibly that member could call it the “Rugby World Cup 2011 (Let’s Forget About Health and Safety) Bill”. Mr Hayes has just been telling us all about things being nanny State but those things on Saturday were bottles flying in the air and landing on people. That image of New Zealand which Mr Hayes seems so concerned about will be projected around the world. 
Mr Hayes was also concerned about Labour’s voting. On this side of the Chamber we are always worried about whether Mr Hayes is confused. He is frequently confused and we are always worried when he is confused. To clarify for that member I say that when it comes to debating and voting on issues to do with liquor Labour has a proud tradition of conscience voting. Occasionally in the past National has had a proud tradition of letting its MPs follow their consciences but now members on that side of the Chamber have only one conscience. 
We have noticed this because we on this side of the Chamber know that on another issue relating to liquor—that of the drink-driving rules—there are members of the National caucus who want to back a change to the drink-driving laws. 
Craig Foss 
: Jumping the shark. 
GRANT ROBERTSON 
: I know that Craig Foss wants to back a change. He is looking for stricter drink-driving laws. He is looking for the blood-alcohol limit to be lowered from 0.08 to 0.05. That is right is it not? I ask Mr Foss whether that is correct. I ask Mr Foss whether it is true that he wants to lower it. He wants to lower it but he is not allowed a conscience vote. On this side of the Chamber we are proud of the fact that Labour allows people to express their consciences on one part of this bill. 
Mr Foss may not have noticed but on every other part of this bill and on the final vote on this bill Labour is unified in saying that we are not prepared to back a bill that gives Murray McCully carte blanche to make whatever decisions he likes in the run-up to the Rugby World Cup. The Government has set up an authority to do what it likes the authority comes forward and then Gerry Brownlee Murray McCully and Nick Smith can override it all. Mr Foss can rest assured that Labour is unified in opposing this bill but we are very clear that on issues involving liquor we allow our MPs to have a conscience vote. 
The shame in this Chamber is that MPs on that side are no longer able to express their consciences. They are not able to express their consciences on the drink-driving limit and they are not able to express their consciences on this change to liquor laws. We on this side of the Chamber stand proud of the fact that we give our MPs the ability to speak freely on matters of liquor law change. 
Mr Hayes might be confused but we know that passing this bill in its current form is not right. Iain Lees-Galloway has already stated that with a simple amendment this bill could have been supported by Labour and Murray McCully would not have a veto right over the Rugby World Cup Authority. National failed to take up that amendment and that means Labour will be voting against this bill having given its members the right to have a conscience vote on alcohol issues. 
Clause 1 agreed to. 
The question was put that the following amendment in the name of the Hon Murray McCully to clause 2 be agreed to: 
to insert in subclause (1) “Sections 1 and 2 and” before “Parts”. 
Amendment agreed to. 
Clause 2 as amended agreed to. 
Progress reported. 
Report adopted.