Alexander Marc: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Alexander Marc: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:612;Page:8957] 
4.  
MARC ALEXANDER (United Future) 
 to the  
Minister of Local Government 
: Does he stand by his statement that “I am only too pleased to say that as Minister of Local Government I advocate local decision-making by and on behalf of communities.”; if not why not? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Local Government) 
: 
 Yes I am only too pleased to say again that as Minister of Local Government I advocate local decision-making by and on behalf of communities. I wholeheartedly support the promotion of community well-being. Those are the purposes of local government and on that basis I can say that I am privileged to perform my responsibilities as Minister. 
Marc Alexander 
: As the supposed advocate for local decision-making does the Minister acknowledge that contrary to statements made by Tim Barnett the Auckland City Council is only doing its best to minimise harm from legalised prostitution by preventing young people from being exposed to street-front brothels located next to their schools and places of socialisation; if not why not? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I am very pleased to see that Auckland City is engaging in a process of engagement with its community in deciding the location of brothels. This is something that it is required to do under the new Local Government Act passed by this Government. 
David Parker 
: Has the Minister seen any reports on the responsiveness of local authorities to their communities’ wishes? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: Yes I have seen a press release by the United Future party that says that local authorities are respecting the wishes of the people that they are paying attention to what people are telling them and that they are listening to the silent majority. 
Gerry Brownlee 
: If the Minister is so keen on local communities making their own decisions and determining their own future why has this Government landed so many extra costs on to local government—costs like alcohol ban enforcement anti - boy racer measures increased community policing additional costs due to the Prostitution Reform Act additional dog control costs extra Resource Management Act costs and additional consultation and coastal control costs through the new Local Government Act; and why should ratepayers believe that this Government has any interest in them other than to collect additional property taxes from them? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: This Government has taken some very effective steps in supporting local government with infrastructure costs. For example we have spent $247 million more in extra roading $15 million in sewerage subsidy schemes and so on. In addition we have taken legislative steps including the new Local Government (Rating) Act which provides much more flexibility for councils to raise revenue. 
Hon Brian Donnelly 
: In relation to his response to the primary question why will local communities have no say whatsoever as to whether GE products are grown in their backyards and why were local authorities not consulted at all over the GE legislation? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: Local authorities in New Zealand are not responsible for implementing policies that are the responsibility of central government. We continue to dialogue with local government and we will continue to do so. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: As part of his advocacy of local decision-making by local communities why did he not support in the Committee of the whole House last night my amendment to the New Organisms and Other Matters Bill which would have provided a legislative basis for local authorities to represent their communities and have a say on the growing of GE crops in their areas? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: I repeat to the member my previous answer—central government has responsibility for setting policies that affect all New Zealand. 
Marc Alexander 
: As the purported advocate for local decision-making does the Minister agree that it would make sense to lift the veil of secrecy that is currently cast over the registration of brothels to allow councils and health and safety workers to find and protect sex workers and ensure the legitimacy of their operation; if not why not? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: The operation of that legislation is the responsibility of the Minister of Justice but I would be happy to remind the member that if clients can find the brothels I am sure that inspectors will have no difficulty. 
Marc Alexander 
: As a supposed advocate of local government has the Minister received any suggestions that local councils should turn responsibility for the Prostitution Reform Act back on the Government by passing by-laws that state that brothels may be established only near the homes of those MPs who voted for the bill so they can convince their neighbours and constituents that it was all a wonderful idea? 
Hon CHRIS CARTER 
: No I have had no personal approach on that issue.