Water Services Acts Repeal Bill

Members, we now come to our final debate, clauses 1 and 2, the “Title” and “Commencement”.

It’s a very simple part of the legislation. Clause 1 proposes that the Act is the Water Services Acts Repeal Act 2024, and this will commence on the day after it receives Royal assent.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I have two proposed amendments relating to the title and commencement—I hope to have the opportunity to speak to both. I will start with the proposed amendments regarding the title. The title currently as it stands is the Water Services Acts Repeal Bill. I propose that it be called what it is, the “Affordable Water Reforms Repeal Bill”, because that’s actually what this is. The reforms, when they were redesigned, were called the affordable water reforms. And it’s interesting that the Government hasn’t actually referred to the title of the thing that they are proposing to repeal. I don’t think it comes as any surprise to any of us as to why—the clue is in the name. What this Government is repealing is the affordable water reforms. What they are going to replace it with will not be as affordable. The departmental advice demonstrates that.

Now, I asked the Minister of Local Government earlier to provide his costings, in the absence of a select committee process. He refused to do so. There was a bit of a theme this evening of the Minister picking and choosing which questions to answer and hoping that time would run out. It proved to be a relatively successful strategy because there are questions—and his colleagues in the Chamber are gloating about it now; they’re laughing and smiling about it. But there are serious, relevant questions that remain unanswered. Perhaps question time tomorrow is an opportunity to go through that. Perhaps the media who are watching may follow up on that tomorrow.

But, at the moment, right now, we are discussing the title, and I think it’s only right that the New Zealand public see exactly what this is. It is, after all, repealing the affordable water reforms. So I think it’s only right that the title of this bill is the “Affordable Water Reforms Repeal Bill”. Parliament rules are really clear around debates on the title of the bill: debates on the title of the bill cannot be used as an opportunity to critique the contents of the bill. I’m not doing that. I’m proposing that the bill be named to reflect what it’s doing. The thing that this bill is proposing to repeal is called the affordable water reforms, because it reformed water services in a way that will make it more affordable for ratepayers. And just because the Minister doesn’t want to talk about costings, just because he didn’t want to talk about what councils he consulted with or worked with—because it turned out to be not many, if any—and just because he didn’t actually want to touch on balance sheet separation, which is a crucial, fundamental element to whether or not this is going to work—three things that are pretty crucial that the Minister refused to talk about—doesn’t change the fact that the thing that he is proposing to repeal is called the affordable water reforms. I think the title should reflect that.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Whilst, of course, I agree with everything that my colleague the Hon Kieran McAnulty just said, I’d also note that the title is the Water Services Acts Repeal Bill 2024. Of course, you then think, “Oh well, this bill is to repeal the Water Services Act.”, but, in fact, it’s not. It’s to repeal the Water Services Entities Act, the Water Services Legislation Act, and the Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Act, but it’s not to repeal the Water Services Act 2021. So the name does not say what, in fact, it should be doing. It would be much clearer to name the Acts that are listed in clause 3, the “Purpose” clause. So I’m wondering if the Minister of Local Government can comment on that and how this could cause a great amount of confusion.

The question is that the Hon Kieran McAnulty’s tabled amendment to clause 1 be agreed to.

The question is that the Hon Dr Duncan Webb’s tabled amendment to clause 2 be agreed to.

The question is that the Hon Kieran McAnulty’s tabled amendment to clause 2 be agreed to.

Madam Speaker, the committee has considered the Water Services Acts Repeal Bill and reports it without amendment. I move, That the report be adopted.

Motion agreed to.

Report adopted.

The bill is set down for third reading immediately.

Third Reading