Henare Peeni; Goldsmith PaulHon PEENI HENARE (Labour): Being a nice person goes a long way! Thank you Madam Chair and thank you very much for this opportunity. A couple of questions for the Minister and I think it's important especially given his most recent contribution about the advice that he's taking. The first question I have with respect to this particular clause—because I've had a read of section 99 and it does give actually quite wide-ranging powers—Tom Rutherford: Point of order. Sorry to interrupt the member but the clock hasn't been started.Hon PEENI HENARE: Thank you Madam Chair. I've read section 99 had a read and it's got some quite wide sweeping powers. From my initial assessment I question whether or not this particular amendment was actually required in that there is quite a lot of discretion for the commissioner to be able to make denials for those who claim for reimbursement. There's quite a lot of power there for the commissioner to be able to like I say decline deny—and there was another word; it will come to me very shortly! So my question to the Minister is then why exactly this particular one seems to be giving an overreach of power for the commissioner. I think it's already got enough in there and I question whether or not—just a little bit of an understanding from the Minister about why he feels new subsection (ca) is needed given that there's already lots of powers there.The next part is an extension of the Minister's contribution about the kind of advice that he has sought on these matters. It was raised in particular through urgency last week but I want to put the same question to this Minister. In the consideration of this particular bill can the Minister share with us the conversations that he's had with his Māori Cabinet colleagues? He's talked about how he's discussed it with a number of people. It's important just to understand who's representing the views of the Māori community to the Minister. So that one's a pretty straightforward question and I'm pretty confident the Minister will be able to come and stand to his feet and be able to answer that.The second part is given that the Minister has just read to us in the committee here an email from a former probation officer if I recall the words correctly this is where I'd like to express my support for the proposed amendment by my colleague here giving it a bit of time. Good policy allows for a chance to review. And so with respect to the kind of feedback that we're looking for I'm sure the Waitangi Tribunal who've had challenges with the urgency and the legislation that has been passed through this House would appreciate the opportunity to be able to look through and hear submissions from Māori communities on these matters to continue to assist the Minister and this Government in making sure that we have good legislation moving forward.Those questions to the Minister—they're not overly difficult but I'd really be keen to hear given this seems to be a running theme across a number of bills and a number of Ministers who have been in his position. If he can answer those questions that would be much appreciated.Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH (Minister of Justice): Very happy to answer the questions of the member. In terms of why legislate for this change it is that the commissioner who's responsible for the legal aid decisions is statutorily independent. So for the Government to just send a message to him or her that we no longer want them to fund those reports would be to impinge upon that independence. So it's appropriate for legislation to state that as the will of the Parliament. That retains the commissioner's independence on everything else apart from there's a list of exclusions and this has been added to the list of exclusions. That's why the legislation is required. In terms of the second question what was the second question?Hon Peeni Henare: Consultation.Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: Consultation—well yes we had wide-ranging consultation with many Māori over this and of course as you would fully expect like in every section of society there's a wide divergence of views within many—Hon Willie Jackson: Name one organisation.Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: Winston Peters for one has a very strong view on these matters and I've had long conversations with him and many others. So there's a wide variety of opinions across many communities.Hon Willie Jackson: Tell Winston to come down here!Hon PAUL GOLDSMITH: You asked a question and I gave you an answer.