Well Parliamentary TV was riveting tonight - the second reading saw the Board get an absolute caning for incompetence, illegality, and just plain bad management.  Flip flop Williamson didn't come out smelling of roses either.  Maryan Street gave a very passionate speech - and finally someone pulled Williamson up for his outright lies in the house last week.  She read an email from Pizza Hutt's Operations Manager denying any explosion at a Pizza Hut in Nelson, and then she went on to speak about the Fish and Chip shop explosion and how no one has ever been charged.  She talked about the appalling and corrupt behaviour of the Board in this investigation - finally people are listening to Paul Gee and he may get some traction at the highest levels.  Goodness knows its taken long enough - his case was mentioned a few times by various politicians - and it certainly didn't paint the Board in a good light.  Labour, the Greens, Brendan Horan, Mana and the Maori Party all opposed the Bill - Peter Dunne, National and Act voted for it - so it passed the second reading by 61 votes to 60.  C'mon people - we need to zero in on Peter Dunne and the sole Act vote and ensure they understand what the plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers want.  These people want your votes, well let them know you want their support.  Peter Dunne's support of this bill is very disappointing - especially as the Minister of Revenue when he knows all about the lawful collecting of monies.  The Charitable status of the Board was also bought up in the House tonight - all brilliant.  I'll bet those Board members won't be telling anyone what they do for a job - I sure as hell wouldn't after the roasting they got tonight.  MP's talked about the many emails and telephone calls they had received from the industry - so Williamson and his accusations about a small group of malcontents can stick that in a pipe and smoke it.  He has been proven to be misinformed, and wanting.  Tonight was good.  But the fight continues.  Fire up those computers and get emailing Dunne and Act.

Linkback: https://www.plumbers.nz/politics/76/second-reading-of-the-plumbers-gasfitters-and-drainlayers-amendment-bill-2006/1429/

http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/18161.  for your viewing pleasure.

Trying to warn about some dodgy cunt who had good connections....my business

Standing my ground and fighting trumped up charges......my house

Not letting up and seeing it through.......time with my lads

Watching the Corrupt Bastards at the Board being called corrupt and having my case heard about in Parliament, watching it with my girl (who stood by me shoulder to shoulder, even when I was being a dick)...........f****in priceless.........

That's meant to read "thank you all who helped out"...... not that you all......its ok I've calmed down now......cheers Guys

well i watched it all, could not believe that anyone regardless of political standing could not see through the misgivings of he board  enough to vote against, Also seems to me that a lot of other issues regarding he board are just around the corner, maybe the next bill the board are gunning for to be able to crucify anyone without good reason will bring it all on?
National have lost my vote and my families.I did email my MP , but surprise..... got no response. No wonder people dont bother to vote.
The whole thing pen and inks............

Wombles, they think its for our [plumbers/Gassies/Drainies] benefit to rid the industry of so called cowboys, so they imply its fair we fund it.
I say its the whole country that benefits if you want to take the health and safety line.
Health and safety starts with honesty, truth and transphericy and having backing of the industry.

Hi guys, yeah Jax (well they aren't practitioners at all) quite right they also say that we will benefit by paying a fortune for getting rid of them. Two things there are (1). It will never stop  (2). The health and safety of the country would be the benefactor, so why should we pay to get rid of them?
I remember when P.Routhan first brought it in(2004)he said that because the council cannot recover the cost of prosecution verses the penalties meted out to cowboys by the courts they will no longer prosecute them so a levy of $15.00 would apply from that year which will be paid to the council to fund these prosecutions, perhaps the Federation could look into that to see what exactly happened to the $15.00 that we all paid at that time, I presume that it was also illegal, look what’s happened to that $15.00 today.
Jax (MP are happy to see practitioners fund it) yes Master Plumber members are all bosses so all expenses are tax deductible and G.s.t free unlike the rank and file guys who work for them who have to pay through the nose, cheers     

I might ask Maurice to marry me, bit of a catch

Badger - would he be shoot, snog or marry?  I'd say he was a three bagger.