O'Connor Simon: Energy (Fuels Levies and References) Amendment Bill — Second ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeO'Connor Simon: Energy (Fuels Levies and References) Amendment Bill — Second Reading[Sitting date: 10 December 2014. Volume:702;Page:1343. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]SIMON O’CONNOR (National—Tāmaki):In standing for what seems like the final call I am not taking up the challenge of my colleague Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi to test your patience Mr Speaker and be tossed out. In fact I am here in some ways to deliver the good oil on this bill. I am hoping to not leak anything here or slip up. I have noted though that—[Interruption] I am sorry I apologise to the nation. [Interruption] So I should my colleague from Coromandel notes. Look—Chris Hipkins: Tell us about South Park.SIMON O’CONNOR: Actually South Park is a fantastic—thank you for allowing me that little segue there—programme.This is a relatively simple bill as many colleagues in the House have spoken about. We have an international agreement like many nations in the world to make sure there are 90 days of fuel stocks or oil stocks available. Up until this bill basically all New Zealanders via the general tax bill—Andrew Little: Just enough to get you through your trial period of employment.SIMON O’CONNOR: I have to stop here. I have not had the chance Mr Little to actually congratulate you on your role.Andrew Little: Waiting for your text message.SIMON O’CONNOR: You have not given me your number yet. We will have to see whether there is any divine intervention. We will have to have that discussion.Chris Hipkins: He doesn’t change it all the time like John Key.SIMON O’CONNOR: That is right. Divine intervention is what we are on to. Anyway we keep going off on these segues at the moment.The bill is really importantly about moving the tax burden or the obligations away from the general taxpayer to those using vehicles. This is a piece of legislation that enables that to happen. But I think this Energy (Fuels Levies and References) Amendment Bill here in its second reading is in the yuletide spirit. I have noted over this week and in weeks past there has been dissension in the ranks. We have had Opposition parties opposing what we do which we have come to expect from Labour. We have the likes of the Greens—of course they oppose everything we do. New Zealand First members normally speak in support of things and then switch their minds.But we thought it was probably important I assume—I cannot speak for the Leader of the House. But the Government thought: “What bill can we put here that will bring unanimity to this House in this final piece of legislation that moves forward?”. It has been really good to hear from those speaking from all the various parties in the previous calls that this bill will have widespread support.Dr David Clark: Find some levity to finish—some levity.SIMON O’CONNOR: Again it is quite festive as is the jacket of the member opposite.Grant Robertson: I see—now you’re in his good books.SIMON O’CONNOR: That is right. It is ecumenical you see. We are reaching out.Anyway back to the bill at hand. Here is what is the final bill drawing people together. So as this final call comes to a close I want to echo what many members of the House have been doing which is to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. It has been quite a busy and formidable year for all of us regardless of the politics. [Interruption] It has been prosperous—I think I have got that in about four times so far.Tim Macindoe: You’re prospecting for oil.SIMON O’CONNOR: Oh prospecting—yes I did not realise the etymology of that. I think actually for all of us it has been an immensely intense year and a big part of that is ultimately in relation to it having been an election year. I think there is something in it too that here we are in this final speaking slot on a simple bill taking up a good few minutes on it—burning the oil if you wish.Grant Robertson: You’ve lost them Simon. You’ve lost them.Dr Megan Woods: Sit down.SIMON O’CONNOR: I know; I know. It is shocking. I feel my majority in Tāmaki shrinking and I am getting very very worried.Joanne Hayes: Don’t worry.SIMON O’CONNOR: I do not worry. It is in this spirit of thanks. Also if I am going red it is not related to anything else other than the season.Tim Macindoe: You can stop gushing.SIMON O’CONNOR: All right. With thanks to the House for what has been a very good and successful year a busy year with the election can I add my thanks to all those who make Parliament tick over and work as well as it does. There may be 120 of us here as MPs but there are hundreds and hundreds of people who make this place work—from the cleaners to the messengers to the security staff to the library and to the Parliamentary Service. In closing on this 5 or so minutes’ dictated oration may I wish the House and you Mr Speaker a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.