A bill keeping in place commissioners to run Environment Canterbury until 2016 was sent to select committee on Tuesday evening.
The Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Amendment Bill completed its first reading by 64 to 53 with National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future supporting.
Local Government Minister David Carter said it was necessary to keep the commissioners instead of electing a new board in 2013 as they were still sorting out the problems that led to the last council being sacked and replaced by Government appointees.
Labour’s local government spokesman Annette King said the bill was an attack on democracy and the Government had promised that locally elected councilors would take over from next year’s election.
MPs began the committee stage of the Taxation (Annual Rates, Returns Filing, and Remedial Matters) Bill.
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