Local Govt Amendment Passes Into Law

Legislation amending councils’ ability to charge development level fees passed into law this evening after the Government completed it Budget’s process for the year.

Labour’s Phil Twyford said the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill (No 3) had a close shave to make it back to the House before it rose for the election. He said John Key had wrongly blamed Labour for stopping the bill, but Labour would support it because the improvements to the development levy process undertaken by councils in relation to housing were “better than nothing”.

NZ First MP Andrew Williams said if his party was in Government after the election they would repeal the bill as it placed more costs on ratepayers.

The bill passed by 94 to 24 with Greens, NZ First, Maori Party and Mana opposed.

The House rose at 10pm interrupting the third reading of the Veterans’ Support Bill.

Earlier the Appropriation (2014/15 Estimates) Bill completed its third reading with an associated Imprest Supply Bill by 62 to 56 with National, Maori Party and United Future in favour.

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