11. Question No. 11—Local GovernmentSIMON WATTS (National—North Shore) to the Minister of Local GovernmentQuestion No. 11—Local Government11. SIMON WATTS (National—North Shore) to the Minister of Local Government: Does she agree with the Prime Minister's statement that it will not be the policy of any government I lead to embark on another substantial reform of local government or governance unless it is sought and unless there is broad consensus amongst local government about the need for and the direction of change"; if so does she believe there is broad consensus among local government on her Three Waters reforms?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Local Government): Yes I absolutely agree with the Prime Minister's statement in the context in which it was given. On the second part of the question I draw the member's attention to the statement from Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) on 25 July which said "The local government sector has been advocating for water reforms for decades. While each council will have their own view on the proposed model everyone is unified on the need for reforms of some kind. LGNZ is committed to a pragmatic approach to the reforms because we know if reforms don't go through now it will be back to the political too hard basket."Simon Watts: If the Government is committed to only undertake reform of local government if it is sought why won't she allow councils to opt out of her three waters proposal instead of legislating a compulsory transfer of water assets?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: This reform has been taking place over at least the last 4½ years. And once the economic modelling had shown the huge cost burden that would weigh down on councils who have reached their debt ceiling limits that was the point at which it was just unsustainable to accept the status quo and an opt out model would not provide a way forward for councils.Simon Watts: Why has advertising for executive positions in the water services entities already begun before a single submission on the bill has been heard?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: Because momentum is taking place and councils want certainty that there is a transition plan to successfully ensure that once the water service entities are stood up there is movement already in place to ensure successful implementation.Simon Watts: So what does she say to the people who submitted on three waters expecting their voices to be heard only to see decisions like appointing executives are already being made?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: That there is a plan in place and that's it really important to ensure successful transition towards the water reform that we are proposing.Hon Kieran McAnulty: Thank you Mr Speaker. To the Minister what advice has she received on the impact on ratepayers especially rural ratepayers if reform is not followed through in water services?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: That the burden of cost will fall to ratepayers and especially in rural provincial areas it will be too unaffordable for them. We need to find a different way forward. That's what this Government is doing rather than accepting the status quo that the Opposition is promoting.Simon Watts: What will she do to reassure New Zealanders that their voices will be heard on three waters and that this won't be a repeat of the consultations with councils which took place after Cabinet had already made decisions behind closed doors?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: The bill currently before the Finance and Expenditure Committee enables the public to have a successful conversation around what the reforms are promoting—they will be heard. The select committee is going to be engaging with the great number of submitters who have already proposed their views around the reforms.Barbara Edmonds: Thank you Mr Speaker. Is the Minister aware that the Finance and Expenditure Committee has plans to travel throughout the country to hear submissions on the Water Services Entities Bill?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: I am and I support fully the parliamentary process to go out and engage with the public and hear the submitters and their views on this particular set of proposed changes."