Dean JacquiHon JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki): It's always good at this time of year to reflect on the parliamentary year—in this case parliamentary couple of years—and really cast our sights on the Government of the day. In my case I wish to make a few reflections and comments around the local government sector about which much has been promised by Minister Nanaia Mahuta over the past couple of years. In particular Minister Mahuta inherited a programme called the Three Waters Review which arose as we all know out of the Havelock North campylobacter outbreak which sadly involved many thousands of people with several deaths. So the incoming Government received the second report and out of that they formed their policy platform. I think it's good to review now over two years later what the Government has actually achieved in the realm of the Three Waters Review.Well the signs were there in the early and mid-1980s. The Minister had made a trip to Scotland and Ireland and England to have a look at how those countries organised their water service delivery in particular and came back. A speech the Minister made to the water summit in mid-2018 gave us the early signs of what this Government was thinking. She said that she recommended aggregated dedicated water providers and this is something"—said the Minister—"we are exploring." She went on to say that "There are a range of different options within this proposal" and "We also need to investigate the full range of ways that we can ensure that local authorities and communities continue to be involved in whatever model we choose."That really begs the question—back in May of last year—well is it a done deal? Is this Government going to choose? Is it going to be aggregated water services—which is really code for council amalgamation—and is it going to be compulsory? I note that at the time the Minister when asked did not rule out that there would be compulsory aggregation of water services. She then went on to say "A critical part of … successful change will be [determined on] how local government continues to be involved in the governance of water assets". So what did that mean? Did that mean that councils were going to be taken out of the picture altogether? Well no wonder that local authorities around New Zealand and the peak body Local Government New Zealand became very concerned about the signalling from Nanaia Mahuta. But no fear—no real action just a lot of talk so far.So then a bit further on in the year about a year later the language was changing. With regards to amalgamation progress with service delivery work—of course announcing is not delivering. The Government doesn't seem to have figured that one out. Announcing something will happen doesn't actually mean that they've achieved anything.Hon Shane Jones: Very nasty. Petty—petty.Hon JACQUI DEAN: He may think it's nasty but it's the truth. So in the notes here the local government sector has more serious concerns about the possibility of aggregating water services. Well really? That was hard to see coming Minister. Her advice goes on to say "Local body elections are being held later this year. There is some anxiety around the three waters work which may come through during election campaigning." which is code from officials to say "Back away back away." They don't like it; it might hurt the Government. So how has the Minister's language changed now?So at her latest speech on 21 November to the rural and provincial sector the Minister says that extensive progress has been made in recommendation with the inquiry. Well isn't that good? Then she goes on to say "We put into place a number of things." but saying what they're going to do doesn't mean they have done it. In this year of delivery I am struggling—really struggling—to find one thing that this Minister of Local Government has done to achieve anything for the sector apart from completely upset the local government sector with the spectre of forced amalgamation placed in front of them.Now from what I can see the Minister is skiting about and very proud of the fact that there is going to be an independent regulator. That's one thing; hasn't happened yet so not too excited about that.So achievement: zero; achievement zero—[Time expired]"