Robertson H V Ross: Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill — In Committee 
Robertson H V Ross: Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:663;Page:11554] 
H V ROSS ROBERTSON (Labour—Manukau East) 
: 
 Kia ora tatou no reira e te Whare. Malo le soifua and talofa lava. Fa’afetai lava for the opportunity to speak in this debate. Given this is my second call I acknowledge the Minister of Local Government the Hon Rodney Hide for his consideration of my amendment. I think it is important that he said that Auckland needs to take cognisance of the issue raised in my amendment. In other words the Auckland Council will need to look at the option of a senior citizens’ advisory panel. I also acknowledge the honourable member Hone Harawira for his passionate contribution on the need to establish Maori seats. All of us want to see democracy and representation in Auckland. That is why I advocated so strongly in my previous address to this Committee for the establishment of a senior citizens’ advisory panel. 
I want to advocate now for small business. Auckland is home to 1.4 million people and it is also home to small businesses. They are the engine room of growth and the locomotive of growth. They are the businesses that soak up all the unemployed. They are the businesses that make a huge difference. They are mostly mum and dad businesses and many of them run on the smell of an oily rag. There are concerns about the effects of this legislation on the 41 town centre organisations. I say that because I have information from the chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association. He is concerned because he believes that the powers of the business associations will be taken away and given to the boards. I am all for the boards having power because they need to have power in order to act for the community. 
I would like to read the chief executive’s concerns into the record and I think the Minister in the chair might like to answer them. They are genuine concerns held by Cameron Brewer chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association. I want to know whether his perception is correct. He states: “We wanted to keep a direct relationship with the main municipal authority which would be the new Auckland Council. That’s what we’ve always had and the region’s business districts deserve nothing less. However we’re about to lose considerable access to the top and potentially our self-determination.” He went on to say that his association was told that from 2012 any future decisions in respect of business organisations would be made by local boards. I can see where he is coming from and I want to get an indication from the Minister as to whether what Mr Cameron is insinuating is correct. 
He goes on to say that from July 2012—that is what I take from reading this press release—“future decisions in respect to … Business Improved Districts will be made by appropriate local boards.” Is that right or is that wrong? If it is right does he have anything to fear about the involvement of the local community? Mr Brewer is saying that this shows that local business people will no longer ultimately control their business associations. He states: “local boards will potentially start viewing business associations as cash cows to help fund the likes of infrastructural upgrades—when the likes of town centre upgrades have traditionally been funded from general rates.” I can understand where Mr Brewer is coming from. I can understand the business viewpoint that he expresses because he is representing those different business areas and the 41 different organisations. I would like to get an opinion from the Minister as to whether Mr Brewer has anything to fear given what he has expressed in the media release he put out. 
He goes on to state: “We’ve always had council and community board representation around our table and that is helpful. However we’re not used to an outside board being given the authority to call the shots on decisions around the targeted rate marketing and branding and what projects we should engage in.” I hope that Mr Cameron Brewer has nothing to fear. I hope that if the boards are involved in this they will be given statutory powers for them to make good sound management decisions that are in the interests of democracy and of the people of the country.