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My bill goes down, and Rodney Hide goes off

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My member’s bill went down tonight. It was expected given National and ACT’s declared intention to block vote against it.

It was their opportunity to reassure Aucklanders the super city  is not going to pave the way for privatisation, and that Rodney Hide’s wacko ideology is not going to be the super city’s guiding force. Vote for the bill and they reassure Aucklanders. Vote it down and they reinforce Aucklanders’ suspicions. Vote it down they did.

Perhaps the weirdest thing in the debate tonight was the contribution of the Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide. Clearly unprepared, he waffled for 10 minutes, directing oddly personal and patronising comments towards me as the bill’s sponsor, and avoided addressing the substance of the bill.

When I watched TV3 news during the House dinner break I could understand why he seemed distracted. 3News had a leaked email from a senior member of the National caucus saying:

Clearly we are at a crossroads. The ACT party has threatened to end its relationship with National if we allow Maori seats on the super city. Despite multiple arguments in support, its mind cannot be changed.

The email goes on to say:

Consequently I believe the issue is too far reaching and too important for a party presently sitting at 1 percent in the polls to decide alone.

Hide has become a liability to the Government. His two key proposals for the super city: powerless local boards, and councillors elected at large, have met with a tidal wave of public opposition. The Government has already caved on the local boards, and if they have any sense at all they will cave on the at-large councillors.

And on the third of the three issues that have offended Aucklanders’ democratic values Hide is now threatening to throw his toys out of the cot. If the Government follows the sensible idea of guaranteeing Maori representation, he will pull the pin.

Who do you think wrote the email? My guess is it was Steven Joyce. He’s the head kicker who is increasingly calling the shots. He cannot bear it that Hide on 1% is undermining Key’s smiley inclusiveness.

Thanks to Greens, Maori Party, Progressive and my Labour colleagues for supporting my bill. The Not Yours To Sell campaign will continue to defend Auckland’s democracy and our assets.


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