Utikere TangiTANGI UTIKERE (Labour—Palmerston North): Thank you Madam Chair. Yes I am happy to take up that opportunity to share my own reflections on Mr Court's explanation. But before I do I just want to reflect on some of the contributions that have been made to date. I do echo the sentiments around the way in which the Governance and Administration Committee is able to function. I was able to spend a short period of time as a member of that select committee and was able to witness that myself. I think it's worth noting that the chair of the select committee was someone who has had previous experience within the local government sector himself. Mr McKelvie spent a number of years as the neighbouring Manawatū district mayor so he gets it. Perhaps Mr Court would like to explain it to Mr McKelvie so that everyone is purely clear around what the distinction is. I'm really disappointed that the ACT Party value transparency accountability opportunities to see where the council-controlled organisations and council organisations fit within this process so much that they didn't even bother to participate in the select committee process for this bill—didn't even bother. For something that was in front of the select committee for—how long?—six months actually right up to the last moment before the report was due back in the House the ACT Party did not send a single member of the caucus to talk about to tease out to share some of the concerns that they clearly are in touch with! Yet as part of that select committee process the committee was able to be more informed through the submissions of Christchurch of Auckland of Dunedin and others that are keen in this game yet they did not even bother. Perhaps it's reflective of the fact that we need to continue to tell or mention things five six seven times before they get it. Maybe they needed the invitation to attend the select committee meetings or more than one occasion. But what I would say in response to Mr Court I am not suggesting that debates should not be politicised. Again if the member was actually listening to what I had said—Hon Peeni Henare: Oh no. That's a rarity that's right.TANGI UTIKERE: There we go; that's right Minister Henare that's right. But if the member listened what I was saying is that my assessment is that the ACT Party are seeking to politicise the employment relationship between an employee of a council and the body of individuals who are elected by their community to make decisions. And that is a very very very dangerous path that the ACT Party seem to be advocating for the future of local government that employees who are holding Go" "Stop" signs employees who are working in our community libraries who are working in our community swimming pools would be subject to the political whim of those people who are around the table. That's what the member's SOP is all about and that's why we will have no part of that on this side of the House. I want to finish my contribution just by indicating that members have talked about the ongoing piece of work that's happening. And I think it is important to signal that this is an ongoing conversation that the issues that the Green Party and the Hon Eugenie Sage raised will be considered no doubt as we embark upon the future of local government. I mean there's a sense of clarity around that. But when we get back to what the premise and the understanding of this particular bill is about it is about ensuring that there is consistency throughout Aotearoa New Zealand as to what the expectations are for individuals who are elected to public office not those who are seeking election those who are elected to public office who are already in the seats around the decision-making table that there is consistency around what they are required to declare the extent and nature of those declarations and the timeframes within which those declarations should be or must be made. I welcome the feedback from members this morning and I know that when we think about the premise of the legislation there is much to be gained from the parallels alongside the parliamentary approach. But I think that this is a piece of legislation that came out of the select committee as I said at my second reading contribution in a much better shape than when it went in and I think anyone around this Parliament will suggest that that is the exact role of a select committee and a good one."