McAnulty Kieran; McKelvie Ian; O'Connor GregThird ReadingHon KIERAN McANULTY (Minister of Local Government): I move That the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Bill be now read a third time.This bill supports councils to improve how they share information under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act. First the bill will improve natural hazard information provided in land information memoranda (LIM). The second change will enable councils to withhold information where its release would likely prejudice New Zealand's national security or international relations.All New Zealanders have a role to play in building our resilience to natural hazard risks. New Zealand faces a range of natural hazards. Cyclone Gabrielle this year was a powerful reminder of the extraordinary damage that natural hazards can cause to people's lives and properties. We also know that climate change will mean that extreme weather events like Cyclone Gabrielle are going to hit New Zealand communities harder and more often. Property buyers need natural hazard information they can understand so they can make good decisions and reduce their exposure to risks from natural hazards and climate change.The LIM is a key document for buyers when deciding to buy a property. It is also an important way for councils to inform buyers about natural hazards at a critical decision point in people's lives. There are significant issues with how LIMs communicate natural hazard information. This information is often complex and written in a way that is difficult for most people to understand.Todd Muller: This is exactly the same as the second reading.Hon KIERAN McANULTY: Sometimes key regional council information is missing.Todd Muller: It is—word for word.Hon KIERAN McANULTY: Some councils have been reluctant to include summaries or plain language explanations because of the risk of legal action. This bill will support people to make good decisions by ensuring LIMs contain natural hazard information that is clear concise—Andrew Bayly: Good reading—first reading second reading third reading.Hon KIERAN McANULTY: —nationally more consistent and easier for people to understand. I appreciate the contributions from the members opposite—I think it's jealousy. They haven't had the opportunity to be a Minister. Maybe one day but not today.The other part of this bill is that the Act currently does not have grounds for councils to conclusively withhold information that may prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand or the international relations of the New Zealand Government. The bill will extend to local authorities the same protections afforded to central government agencies by the Official Information Act. As security risks increase including an increase in cyber-attacks it is even more important that the intelligence agencies are enabled to increase their outreach efforts with the local government sector. It is important that they have the ability to share any relevant threat information in a timely manner to mitigate the risks to local authorities.This is a good bill. I appreciate the fact that it has broad support in the House and I commend it to them.IAN McKELVIE (National—Rangitīkei): Point of order Mr Speaker. That speech reminded me very much of a Geoffrey Boycott opening innings and I think we should really ask him to return it!DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yeah using that as a point of order—the member should be aware of a bouncer from the Chair for tortured trifling with the House. However—Simon Watts.