GEORGINA BEYER (Labour-Wairarapa): The range of electrifying speeches we have heard this afternoon—particularly the one by the member who has just resumed his seat—means that we have avoided the sleeping gas we might all otherwise have suffered.

In speaking to the third reading of the electricity and gas industries legislation, it would be helpful to remind members and other interested listeners what this legislation is about. The objectives of the Government, for both electricity and gas, are to have energy delivered to consumers in a safe, efficient, fair, reliable, and environmentally sustainable way. This legislation will take us further towards that goal. It puts in place all the decisions made by the Government this year on electricity supply, security, and the governance of all the electricity and gas industries. It will provide certainty and stability in the electricity and gas industries.

The legislation contains measures to promote security of supply, consumer protection, and competition, and to improve the governance of the electricity and gas industries. That is imperative, considering the importance of those industries to New Zealand’s continued economic growth and prosperity. At the same time, this legislation will enable us to continue our progress towards greater energy efficiency and a sustainable energy future. Mr Copeland, in expressing his party’s support for this legislation, has seen the light—which is a lot more than could have been said if we had continued under the failed reforms of Max Bradford. I will not continue—I was going to take only a brief call. I am very pleased to be supporting this legislation.