12. PHIL TWYFORD (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Local Government
What did Cabinet decide in response to his recommendation that the provisions of the Local Government (Auckland) Amendment Act 2004 protecting the Ports of Auckland shares from disposal be repealed?
Hon RODNEY HIDE (Minister of Local Government) Link to this
Although Cabinet has decided to repeal the Auckland Regional Holdings provisions in the Local Government (Auckland) Amendment Act 2004 and bring those assets under the general council-controlled organisation provisions of the Local Government Act 2002, it has also placed a statutory moratorium on the sale of any shareholdings, including the port shares, until after the first long-term council community plan is completed by the new council in July 2012.
Does he stand by his statement to Cabinet that these protections—the ones in the Local Government (Auckland) Amendment Act—relate to “the sensitivity at the time surrounding the potential sale of the ports of Auckland”; if so, on what basis does he believe Aucklanders have changed their minds and no longer want a referendum on the privatisation of their ports?
Yes; the reason is that I have trust in Auckland people. We have had, on numerous occasions, Mr Twyford claim that the Government’s reforms are all about privatisation. On 9 June it was swimming pools, on 12 July it was libraries, on 20 July it was housing, on 29 October it was the waterfront, and on 9 November it was water. All these claims have been proven to be false. I understand that the Public Service Association has been concerned about them and has spoken to the Labour Party because of the upset that is being caused among council staff by the false allegations that are being made by the member.
How does the Minister reconcile his advocacy for referenda on rates capping with his desire to repeal the law that requires a referendum before the port shares can be sold off?
Does he stand by his statement that the privatisation of local assets is “a pretend debate”, when Cabinet has decided to lift the restrictions on privatising the ports of Auckland, and when the Government has decided to allow private companies to own water infrastructure for up to 35 years and to repeal the requirement that councils consult the public before they contract out public services to the private sector?
Yes, I do. This Government is different from the previous one, in that we trust local government and the people of Auckland. I suggest to the member that he tries that. I know it is hard for him, because they rejected him on the North Shore, his own party rejected him in Mt Albert, and he has been rejected—
Mr SPEAKERI say to the Hon Rodney Hide that it is not acceptable to keep talking when the Speaker is on his feet, and it was unnecessary to add the last part to that answer. That was just personal criticism, which is not helpful to the order of the House.
Does the Minister stand by his statement that he wants to see the privatisation of the ports of Auckland?