ECan Election Suspension Bill Debated

MPs debated legislation to again delay elections in Environment Canterbury this year.

Ruth Dyson said no piece of legislation had enraged her Canterbury electorate more than the Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Amendment Bill.

The removal of the right to vote in representatives on Environment Canterbury had been bad enough, but reneging on a promise and extending it for a second term was an abuse of power, she said.

National’s Nicky Wagner said the bill was a sensible solution to the problems facing Christchurch after the earthquake and there was still a need for the commissioner to complete the water strategy that they had taken over work on.

The House rose at 10pm interrupting debate on Part One of the bill during its committee stage debate.

Earlier in the evening the International Finance Agreements Amendment Bill eventually completed its committee stage with Labour mounting a partial filibuster to delay debate on Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Amendment Bill.

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