Bennett David: Infrastructure Bill — Second Reading 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Bennett David: Infrastructure Bill — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 24 March 2010. Volume:661;Page:9801. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) 
: 
 The people of New Zealand and the members of the public who are listening this afternoon deserve an apology for that last speech. 
Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman 
: Or perhaps an explanation. 
DAVID BENNETT 
: Yes well the explanation is that the member Shane Jones was not on the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee does not know what he is talking about in regard to the bill and was just trying to fill in 10 minutes. That is the explanation. The Labour Party has not put up speakers who serve on that select committee. Labour members who do serve on the committee understand the bill and understand the issues. Why is that member not on Great Barrier Island as well doing that great tour? 
The reality is that this bill is necessary and the public of New Zealand may not understand the importance of it. The bill sets up a future for infrastructure in New Zealand. To take the example of a highway or something similar that is being built at the moment many people will not understand that that highway has a lot of services aligned with it. When we need to go forward in developing infrastructure in New Zealand—for example our broadband and our growth strategies—that highway will need to be an infrastructure highway as well not just a road or a rail highway but an infrastructure highway. This bill sets that up by having a code in it in which the bodies that will be part of that infrastructure highway of the future which will develop and build New Zealand will be given the ability to deliver that future for our people by having a visionary approach to infrastructure. 
I commend the Minister for Infrastructure for having that long-term view so that infrastructural assets can be provided to all New Zealanders going forward into the future. That is what this bill is about I say to Shane Jones. It is not about mining it is not about Kaipara Harbour and it is not about the ability to overlook public housing. 
Sitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. 
DAVID BENNETT 
: I will recap some of the issues that were raised before the House rose for dinner. I think the key thing that we need to emphasise about the Infrastructure Bill is that it sets up a structure in which New Zealanders can be guaranteed that there will be a system and infrastructure out there that will deliver in the future. 
H V Ross Robertson 
: Where’s the passion David? 
DAVID BENNETT 
: Members on the other side are talking about passion. They say that they want to see some passion. Well we heard Shane Jones before dinner did we not? Shane Jones who had no idea about this legislation tried to talk for 10 minutes filling in time for the Labour Party. That is the extent of those members’ passion. They will not even put up a speaker who knows about the bill; they put up somebody to fill in some time. That is about all we would expect from the Labour Party these days. If those members are not gallivanting around islands then what are they doing? 
The Infrastructure Bill is very important because whether the existing infrastructure is road or rail it is important that we have the ability to put those utilities through in the future. This bill guarantees that. It sets up a code in which participants can work together to ensure that the infrastructure is there for future generations. It is important legislation. It sets out the framework for the delivery of infrastructure and utility services to New Zealanders in the future. I think it is a fine example of what this Government is doing to build a stronger brighter future and a stronger economy. Thank you.