12. Question No. 12—Local GovernmentSIMON WATTS (National—North Shore) to the Minister of Local GovernmentQuestion No. 12—Local Government12. SIMON WATTS (National—North Shore) to the Minister of Local Government: Does she stand by all her statements and actions in relation to Three Waters reform and is she still committed to the legislated all in" approach to Three Waters reform?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance) on behalf of the Minister of Local Government: Yes.Simon Watts: Why did Cabinet agree to a legislated all-in approach to three waters reform in June before the consultation period with local government even began and what has she done since that revelation to ensure local government voices are heard in three waters reforms?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Minister in answer to the first part of the question I reject the premise of the member's question. In answer to the second part of the question the member will be well aware that the working group is currently taking a look at matters of representation governance and accountability.Simon Watts: So in light of that answer what does she say to the 27 member councils of Communities 4 Local Democracy who say that—and I quote—"The Government has stymied opposition to its plans by effectively muzzling Local Government New Zealand and hand-picking representatives for the working group rather than having wider consultation. This is not good faith consultation."?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Minister with respect I say that I do not agree to that and what I further say to those mayors is that this Government is committed to making sure that New Zealanders have safe drinking water effectively and efficiently managed storm and waste water and to making sure that we save money for ratepayers. I think all of us would agree that those are good aims. We will continue to work with councils on the final development of the proposal.Simon Watts: In light of the overwhelming opposition from local government and the New Zealand public will she now admit that it is time to re-think her three waters reforms?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Minister this Government is prepared to face up to a decades-long under-investment in our three waters infrastructure. We need to bring together entities that can borrow enough money to be able to make up for that under-investment. We're committed to making sure that these stay in public ownership. We're committed to making sure that New Zealanders have the highest-quality water services. There is an option here which I know that National Party would prefer as they would on everything we've covered today: do nothing. That is not the option this side of the House favours.Hon Eugenie Sage: I apologise for my confusion before Mr Speaker and Minister Parker. But on this one: does she support any of the alternative options for three waters reform proposed by Communities 4 Local Democracy and will she and officials seriously consider and engage on those options and if not why not?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Minister: the Minister has met with that group. She has encouraged that group to submit to the governance group and we will seriously consider all things that come from that group.Simon Watts: Just say no. You don't listen to anybody.SPEAKER: The trouble is that with my hearing aid in I do listen."