8. PHIL TWYFORD (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Local Government
Does he agree with the Prime Minister that “for all intents and purposes” the decision on the northern boundary of the super-city has been made?
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government) Link to this
It is my observation that the Prime Minister is invariably right, although sometimes not as centre-right as I myself would prefer. Cabinet has decided the governance position on the northern boundary of Auckland, but the final decision on the northern boundary will be made by the House when it considers the Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill.
What other issues have been decided by Cabinet in advance of the select committee recommendations, given that Māori representation and the boundaries have been predetermined?
Let me inform the member that it is a standard part of the legislative process that when a department is preparing its report for a select committee, it ensures that its departmental report reflects the Government’s position. Cabinet is the forum where the Government confirms or decides its position. I am sure that the select committee, which the member is a part of, will consider the departmental advice along with all other submissions that have been put to it, and in the end the committee will decide on the form of the bill to be reported back to the House. That is the process that the Government and the House will follow, and I look forward to the member studying it and getting the hang of it eventually.
What does he say to the mayors of Kaipara and Rodney and the Auckland Regional Council chairman, all of whom are opposed to Cabinet’s decision to override the select committee and the Local Government Commission and set the northern boundary itself?
It would be helpful if the member would listen to the answers he seeks. It is the practice for departmental reports to reflect the Government’s position. Rodney and Kaipara people along with other Aucklanders have had the opportunity to make submissions to the Auckland Governance Legislation Committee about all aspects of the legislation. I have been informed that a number of submissions on the northern boundary were received and those submissions have been carefully considered by the select committee, along with all the other submissions. I am also aware that members of the committee have been listening to the people, and indeed I have had very good reports from the people of Kaipara and Rodney that the local member John Carter is doing a great job.