Mapp Wayne: Carter Observatory Act Repeal Bill — Second Reading 
Mapp Wayne: Carter Observatory Act Repeal Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:663;Page:11036] 
Hon Dr WAYNE MAPP (Minister of Research Science and Technology) 
: 
 I move  
That the Carter Observatory Act Repeal Bill be now read a second time 
. This bill was referred to the Education and Science Committee for consideration on 22 October and it has been reported back quite early. Of course one of the reasons the committee was able to report back so early is indicated in its own report which notes that the committee had to go out to seek submissions. Indeed committee members noted: “We support the provisions in this bill and do not recommend any amendments to the House.” The reason I mentioned those specific issues which I know that members on the committee will cover briefly is that this bill was voted for without dissent on its first reading and I am looking forward to that same practice for this second reading as well as for the Committee stage and the third reading. I am hopeful perhaps that when we get to the Committee stage we will be able to move immediately to the third reading on the same day as well—by agreement of the House of course as Mr Speaker would appreciate. I do not intend to spend a great deal of time on this debate because I know that the aspiration of the Wellington City Council is to take full legal ownership of the observatory as soon as possible. 
I had the great pleasure of attending as I know some other members in the House did as well the observatory for what was effectively the practical transfer—I suppose in legal terms it is the informal transfer—of the observatory to the Wellington City Council. The council has done a fantastic job of refurbishing the facility. It is a great community asset a great educational asset and a great tourism asset. The council has restored the observatory from a historical perspective. The key instruments date back to the 19th century but in fact they are in use today for tour groups and so forth. Indeed some useful scientific work is undertaken at the observatory. But it has moved fundamentally from being a scientific facility as such to more of an educational facility and one that boosts the overall profile of Wellington. 
In conclusion one of the interesting things I find as a non-resident of Wellington—as someone who visits admittedly on a weekly basis but nevertheless it is not my home—is that of cities of 400000 or so people Wellington must be one of the finest in the world. It has an extraordinary range of cultural and artistic facilities and an amazing physical location. The Carter Observatory complements the cultural aspects of Wellington and is a further reason why Wellington can project itself in a positive way as it does as a place of real intellectual firmament. 
The previous Government initiated this process of course but shifting the observatory from essentially Government ownership through to Wellington City Council ownership which is far more appropriate in the circumstances has been a very good move. I think I should allow other members of the House to also acknowledge the role of the observatory in the cultural and intellectual life of Wellington. I look forward to being able to move this bill through its progressive stages so that we can create a legal form of what has happened already as a practical reality.