The former infrastructure minister says there was a 'massive' amount of misinformation about what would've been clause five of the Local Government Amendment Bill.

Michelle Haywood, who was in charge at the time the clause was added to the bill, believes the ongoing debates around the clause were distracting from more important updates.

The clause could've seen functions imposed onto local authorities without any financial support from the government.

Dr Haywood says she doesn't see the clause being brought back anytime soon.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to her.