Press Release – HansardFirst ReadingSTUART SMITH (National—Kaikōura) (21:42): I move, That the Local Government (Management of Local Authorities) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. Elected councillors were expected to carry responsibility for a major decision but were denied the information they needed to make that decision. Second, it affirms that elected members have the authority to direct the management of council activities. It simply makes clear that management remains accountable to governance, and governance has the tools to do the job. When elected members are elected by their community, they need to have access to the information.