Dyson Ruth: Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Bill — First ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDyson Ruth: Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Bill — First Reading[Sitting date: 25 June 2014. Volume:699;Page:18887. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills):Can I say that I am very pleased that after our years in Parliament together you do recognise me. I would be very disappointed if you could not recall who I was. It is a real pleasure for me to stand in support of this legislation the Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Bill and I want to begin by acknowledging the Hon Nicky Wagner who has introduced this private bill as a local member of Parliament. I want to commend her for that. I also want to acknowledge the eight members of the Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Board and in particular our former parliamentary colleague the Hon Margaret Austin who I know is very passionate about this legislation. She is very passionate about heritage and like all of us from Canterbury I suppose she is devastated at the loss that has happened as a result of the quakes in our city. Actually it is not just as a result of the quakes; it is also as a result of the demolition orders of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority where we have had magnificent heritage buildings demolished rather than be repaired. That is a travesty and I know that the Hon Margaret Austin and her fellow trustees would feel that very keenly.That is another demonstration actually of the National Government being so out of touch with where people are. People in Canterbury would love to see more of their heritage buildings repaired and restored so that we could once again have that connection to the past which is actually so important for people looking to the future. But this is not about the buildings that have been destroyed by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority—thank goodness. This legislation is about an extremely damaged set of buildings at the Arts Centre which have started to be lovingly and tenderly put back together piece by piece. It is going to be such a magnificent restoration of a set of buildings that really are at the heart and history of our city. As Nicky Wagner noted the University of Canterbury used to be there. I want to acknowledge the Hon Michael Cullen who was one of its pupils. Knowing Michael he is probably listening to this debate because he is very interested in heritage and history. That was his speciality when he was at the university.This bill is pretty straightforward. It puts into legislation the trust’s objects and that is very important. It also makes changes to the governance arrangements and other terms of the trust so it is a legislative protection. The trustees and other people who have been involved in the operation have proposed to our Parliament that this is the best way to ensure the continuity of care passion and dedication to the running of the Arts Centre but also to ensure that whatever happens in the future work is still able to continue. So I think it is a bit of the responsibility of Parliament to accept that that work has been done and it is really our job to progress it from here as is appropriate with private bills.The Arts Centre is actually undergoing a huge restoration job at the moment. It is a 7-year time frame. It will cost $290 million which is a huge amount of money and I think that having this legislation will mean that many potential donors will have more confidence and understanding of the needs of the trust and the needs of Canterbury and will be better positioned to support them. I hope that that is one of the many benefits of this legislation.Can I just conclude by expressing a small amount of disappointment. I do not want to personalise it but I need to direct it to the member whose name the bill is in because she just said she is going to refer the bill to the Local Government and Environment Committee. I am devastated because the Government Administration Committee has got nothing on the agenda. We are a really competent committee and Margaret Austin told us that we were probably going to get this bill. She thought that we were going to have it referred to us. The members of that committee agreed to an informal discussion with the Hon Margaret Austin just so we were ahead of the game and that was much appreciated by everyone. Now we are devastated. I think that my colleagues on that committee are probably too upset to contribute to the rest of the debate to be honest. So if the Minister changes her mind before the conclusion of the debate the members of the Government Administration Committee stand ready willing and able to take charge of this bill.I am really delighted that this bill is here. I am proud to support it and I hope that it progresses and creates some interest in our city and some good debate. I hope it creates a further sense of pride in our heritage and a respect and passion for the people who do so much in our city particularly the trustees of the Arts Centre. Thank you.