Pillay Lynne: Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill — In Committee 
Pillay Lynne: Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:657;Page:6541] 
LYNNE PILLAY (Labour) 
: 
 All we hear from the other side is members contradicting each other. Nikki Kaye goes on and on and says how much Labour members bleat moan whine and criticise everything about the bill. Now we have heard the previous speaker Simon Bridges saying that he does not think we see anything wrong with the bill. The reality is that there is plenty wrong with the bill. The Government is just not listening. It is not listening to members on this side of the Chamber to Aucklanders or in fact to all New Zealanders. Many New Zealanders are very opposed to the bill. 
I pay tribute to the excellent contributions made by two of the younger members of our caucus. They are two lovely young blokes who gave very very compelling presentations. They were very logical presentations. 
Hon Members 
: Who are they? 
LYNNE PILLAY 
: Members know very well who they are. I will talk very briefly just to endorse again that it is absolutely reprehensible for the Government to support its position of not implementing a social issues board. We know that we need glue to hold together the huge city of Auckland. Does the member care about Pacific people about ethnic people about young people and about all those people having a voice and being represented in our city on issues like housing that are absolutely fundamental? We see the Mayor of Auckland flogging off State houses. There is no commitment from him whatsoever. Without having a social issues board places like Waitakere and South Auckland cannot make that commitment. Without the social issues board how will those things be protected and saved? 
I compliment Phil Twyford. I think he has done a fantastic job along with all members on this side of the Chamber and indeed many other parties. We were absolutely disappointed that his bill about the protection of Auckland assets was defeated. I am pleased that we have the opportunity for yet another chance to run the debate. We know that the position regarding water supply is supported by 82 percent of Aucklanders. Eighty-two percent support the position regarding assets such as parks libraries recreation areas and entertainment facilities and 78 percent oppose the position on transport assets such as selling the port and the airport to private companies. 
I heard Nikki Kaye say that that is absolute rubbish. She is very busy at the moment probably trying to justify her position on the Maori seats; I do not think she will have much luck. [ 
Interruption 
] That is right; that is what she will be saying. I heard Nikki Kaye say in the Chamber that the current legislation is fine and that Auckland assets are safe. We know that that is absolute rubbish. We know that the Minister of Local Government is a great big fan of privatisation. He is on record as saying it. He is the hit guy; he is the Minister of Local Government. The Government does not have to get its hands dirty with private asset sales despite all the things that the Government fundamentally totally supports totally believes in are totally its mantra and is on record as saying about private asset sales. The Government can make statements that it has an arrangement. Never mind arrangements when it comes to working with the Maori Party and supporting Maori seats. What happens when it comes to dealing with and not making a commitment about the retention of the assets in our city which are absolutely primo to all Aucklanders whether they are from South Auckland west Auckland or the North Shore? Those assets are absolute objects of pride for our city. What every Aucklander and every New Zealander accepts is so important this Government will not accept. Why? Because the Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide does not support it. He is on record as saying in August: “I personally favour privatisation.”