Watts Simon; O'Connor GregSIMON WATTS (National—North Shore): Well well well. Isn't it great to hear a Minister so full of energy only 80 days out from an election being able to articulate this piece of legislation? You can pretty much hear in the Minister's voice how tired he is of where we are in the cycle.But it is our pleasure to speak on the third reading of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Bill. This is a sensible piece of legislation; it is without a doubt that—what we've heard this evening in regards to the contributions is that this is fulfilling a gap that has been identified and does solve a problem or an issue in which we'll derive value. National always will stand behind and support common-sense ways in order to provide and ensure that the New Zealand public in particular have access to the information requirements that enable them to make better decisions.In its essence within this bill—and it is an exciting bill; I think a few people have mocked it a bit this evening haven't they? They've said This is actually a bit you know down." but this is a pretty exciting and interesting bill because it does serve a purpose. But the—Todd Muller: Really?SIMON WATTS: Really? Yes really. It does. Well just to outline a little bit more detail just so you can get fully in because I appreciate that maybe you missed it in the last contribution.So the improvements around the recording of the natural hazard information in the land information memorandums (LIMs) is a really important factor. We've heard this evening—and again echoing the impacts that we've seen across natural disasters across this country—flooding cyclones you name it: it's happened to New Zealanders not just once not just twice; actually for many parts of the country multiple times.But that information or the lack of information in regards to the implications of natural hazards on properties has been an aspect that has been missing for consumers in order to be able to ascertain that as part of the due diligence process that they undertake when purchasing a property. This bill will bring in the requirement for that information to be in play. That is really really important because we know that those significant weather events that we are seeing are going to continue and potentially get worse. So having access to that information is really really important and that is sensible and is a good thing to be in play.We've learnt this evening around the fact that the Governance and Administration Committee did put thought around the timing of when this legislation would actually come into play. Originally the effective date was the beginning of 2025. The select committee did take on board some feedback in regards to that and some may argue "Well you know there's pros and cons around that." but the decision was taken in regards to moving that to July 2025. At the end of the day whether you want it now or you need to wait the reality is it is going to come and that will provide some benefit in regards to that aspect.The other aspect within this legislation which is in there and many probably haven't necessarily got into it is—and I think it's pretty fair and it's logical—that there are provisions to be able to withhold some of this LIM information on the grounds of national security. We all think it; we all can understand that that's logical and that there's reasons and there needs to be appropriate mechanisms to withhold that information. This bill puts in place the provisions around that which brings it in line with the Official Information Act process as well. That all makes sense right? That all makes sense and that's a good thing to do.In regards to this legislation we talk about the implications of climate change and the implications on severe weather events. I want to just do a call-out and acknowledgment to our local government sector. Our local government sector do a significantly great job across our country. In particular in relation to this bill the implications around dealing with significant weather events has been very much front of mind for a large number of local government entities.I think about Tairāwhiti in Gisborne—that small town but a town with a big heart—and the mayor there has been dealing with natural disasters after natural disasters for what feels like you know 18 months if not longer. I think it is not often acknowledged but the reality and the stress and the process of that placed upon our officials and our volunteers and our staff within our local government sectors—particularly in rural provincial New Zealand—is really really significant. So a big call-out to all of those people that work within our local government sector. National have got your backs and we appreciate what you do and the value that you contribute to our country and to our communities.That's pretty much the key elements in regards to this bill. As I said we think that the ability for New Zealanders to have access to that improved and enhanced information will make sure that people can make more informed decisions when they're making significant property decisions. That's important; it adds an element around personal responsibility—which is obviously a key value that we are supportive of—that they have the ability to be able to use that to make more informed decisions and it places the responsibility also back on that consumer. I think there's also an opportunity there where central government and local government are in effect providing a mechanism in equal measure in order to facilitate that process. Again we think that is very simple.So in conclusion National will be supporting this common-sense way to make information more accessible to New Zealanders across this country. We think that while this bill in the context of the issues that our country faces is reasonably minor the fact that we are pushing this under urgency when it's not going to be actually effective until mid-2025 is a little bit of a dilemma—but we shan't place further emphasis because we made those points earlier on this evening. But on that basis National supports this bill and we will be watching it flow through this House this evening. Thank you.DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is the motion be agreed to."