Hide Rodney: Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill — In Committee 
Hide Rodney: Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:663;Page:11563] 
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government) 
: 
 I must say by way of introduction and in response to the speech from David Shearer that it is a bit rich to be lectured about democracy by that member. He is from the party that when in Government was the author of the Electoral Finance Act. It is also a bit rich for him to raise the issue of concern about establishing Watercare Services as a council-controlled organisation given that he has advocated privatising all the military forces of the world. I find that quite breathtaking. 
I advise the Committee that as a consequence of the Government’s acceptance of Mr Hawkins’ amendment further work has shown that we will need to withdraw two amendments on Supplementary Order Paper 136. The first amends new section 75(2)(d) and the second amends the heading to clause 74A. The reason we need to withdraw those amendments is that as amendments on a ministerial Supplementary Order Paper they would take precedence over Mr Hawkins’ amendment. If the Committee were to vote on them they would render the member’s amendment null and void. 
Again I commend the Labour Party and George Hawkins for the work that he has done on that amendment. Over the dinner break I have had feedback from the people of Auckland who are very pleased with it. I think it is a consequence of the hard work that the Hon George Hawkins has done first as a councillor at Papakura—he was a mayor for 9 years—and of course as a member of Parliament representing his electorate of Manurewa for 20 years. 
I contrast his approach with that of Mr Phil Twyford and will maybe give Mr Twyford some help. We in the ACT Party have not needed any of our MPs to ask me any patsy questions because Mr Phil Twyford does it for us when it comes to asking the necessary questions. Here is my point: George Hawkins has represented the people of Auckland and he has put forward an amendment that has made a difference to the future governance of Auckland. We can contrast that with the approach of Mr Twyford who has made a lot of noise a lot of sound and a lot of fury but has not made one positive contribution. As a consequence of that failure his own party has not selected him to represent the North Shore. It has not selected him for Auckland Central. It has not selected him— 
Hon Steve Chadwick 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairperson. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: I think I can guess—relevance? 
Hon Steve Chadwick 
: Yes the point of order is relevance but also buried amongst that irrelevance the Minister mentioned that clause 74 would need to be amended. I ask whether he could remind us of the other clause that he mentioned. Thank you. 
Hon RODNEY HIDE 
: I will get to that. If the member will listen more carefully I will repeat it. I am happy to speak to the point of order— 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: No I should have ruled on the point of order. The Minister had strayed a wee bit away from the bill at large to a general debate approach. I ask him to return to the bill and to refer to the clauses that need amending. 
Hon RODNEY HIDE 
: Sure. In doing so I point out that these amendments are as a consequence of the work that George Hawkins did as a member who represents Auckland. I was contrasting that work with that of members who do not represent Auckland. I understand that Mr Phil Twyford is now seeking the nomination in New Plymouth. I wish Mr Phil Twyford good luck in New Plymouth because clearly even the Labour Party does not think he is up to it in Auckland. 
For the benefit of Steve Chadwick the amendments are to Supplementary Order Paper 136 in my name. The first is to amend new section 75(2)(d) and the second is to amend the heading to clause 74A. 
Finally once again I thank George Hawkins. I think it is a good day for the people of Howick of Pakuranga and of Botany. This Government actually listens unlike the Labour Party which wants to be all PC and not listen to the good voters of Auckland.