Upston Louise: Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Bill — Second Reading In Committee 
Upston Louise: Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Bill — Second Reading In Committee 
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LOUISE UPSTON (National—Taupo) 
: 
 I bring the Committee’s attention back to one of the statements made in the explanatory note of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Bill. It states: “The Bill is founded on the need for community participation in decision-making processes while balancing this against the need for a timely and coordinated recovery process.” It was interesting to hear Opposition members suggesting that some of the significant parties received the bill with very little notice. Some of the submitters whom we had in front of us commented on the fact that they were pleased to see the significant improvements in the final version of the bill as opposed to earlier versions that they had seen. Members opposite cannot have it both ways. They cannot say there has been no involvement in the bill and people have only just seen it for the first time yet hear submitters comment that in particular the area where they notice improvement is in the strengthening of the provisions on involving the community in decision making. 
I want to draw the Committee’s attention to further aspects of the bill highlighted in the explanatory note particularly about the long-term recovery strategy that will be developed by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority in collaboration with key stakeholders. I think it is fantastic to have the word “collaboration” stated so early in the bill so it is very clear that the community and key stakeholders will be involved in the creation of that very important overarching long-term recovery strategy. We heard from submitters particularly Ngai Tahu that they could see that by acting in good faith with the Government there was a real opportunity for partnership in this dialogue during the creation of very important documents. 
One of the things that disturbed me a little was the fact that there seemed to be a lack of awareness among Labour members about the notification requirements of the long-term strategy so I thought it might be worth drawing their attention to that provision in the bill. It is stated in clause 13 which talks specifically about it and is entitled “Public notification of draft Recovery Strategy.” It states: “The chief executive must ensure that a draft Recovery Strategy is publicly notified.” If that is not a process of direct dialogue with the members of the community and key stakeholders whereby any member of the public will have the opportunity to make written comments on the strategy I am not quite sure what would be. 
One of the earlier speakers talked a lot about the community forum and I think the provisions on the forum are a really important part of this bill in terms of assisting that very important decision-making process. I do not think anyone disagrees that the community has the needs of Christchurch and Canterbury at heart. They know it that because they live it and breathe it. That is why it is very important that this will be—and I will use that word again for the sake of the Opposition—a collaborative process. I commend the Minister for being so upfront and blatantly putting the words “community involvement” “community forum” and “collaboration” all throughout this bill. I think that is a fantastic step forward. 
We recognise the fact that this is extraordinary legislation; I hope that in my time as a member of Parliament we never have the need to do legislation like this again. But also we recognise that this Government is making tough decisions in tough times. It is fantastic to see the support of the majority of the Committee is behind this bill although unfortunately some of the people who are listening to this debate might not actually appreciate that fact given some of the negativity of the comments from the Opposition members. This Government is listening to the community. It is listening to the submitters and the evidence they raised with us. It is taking action right now—right at this very minute—to make changes in order to make sure that this legislation is lasting and delivers the results for Christchurch and Canterbury that it needs to deliver.