Reform Bills Progress

Accusations flew across the House today as local government reform legislation passed into law.

The Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill passed its third reading by 61 to 59 with National, ACT and United Future in support.

National MPs said it would create a more focussed local body sector and reduce rates and local body debt.

Opposition parties were not convinced and the accusations ranged from ``ripping the heart out of local government’’ through to ``destroying democracy’’ in a similar manner to eastern Europe under the Soviet regime.

Earlier MPs completed the interrupted first reading debated of the State Sector and Public Finance Reform Bill and it was sent to the Finance and Expenditure committee by 63 to 57 with National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future in favour.

(For coverage of last night’s debate see State sector reform set to be battleground)

This will be followed by the third reading of the This bill proposes controversial reform of local government law and completed its earlier stages by 61 to 59 with National, ACT and United Future supporting.

The Taxation (Livestock Valuation, Assets Expenditure, and Remedial Matters) Bill passed its first reading by 112 to 8 with NZ First opposed. The House rose at 6pm interrupting debate on the first reading of the Human Rights Amendment Bill.

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