Labour on first readings

Politik reports:

With Ngati Paoa members sitting in the gallery, Labour’s Tamaki Makaurau MP, Peeni Henare said the bill offered an opportunity not just for Tāmaki-makau-rau but, in particular, for Ngāti Paoa, “and for that reason, I am extremely excited.”

“This particular opportunity at Te Tauoma is a fantastic one—one that will allow Ngāti Paoa, in partnership with the council and, of course, with central government, to provide for housing not just for their people but also for the people of Tāmaki-makau-rau,” he said.

“This particular bill provides an opportunity and a start and the platform for Ngāti Paoa, for which we are grateful, and I am sure the people of Ngāti Paoa are, too.”

Mr Henare was in Sydney last night and was unavailable for comment, but Mr Twyford dismissed his comments as a typical first reading speech.

He said first reading speeches were not based on research but almost always were in a situation where the MP had had to take the Government’s Bill at face value.

What a stunning admission by Labour that they don’t do any research on legislation facing its first reading.

Note that the first reading was six days after the Bill was introduced. And it is basically a one page bill.

The reality is that Labour are being NIMBYs. They spend years calling for more housing and then time after time oppose any actual housing development.