10. SIMON POWER (National—Rangitikei) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
Is she satisfied with the level of resourcing available to the New Zealand Police to carry out their duties; if so, why?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Police) Link to this
I am satisfied with the progress we are making after the destructive years of 1998-99, following the Martin review, which saw cuts in the police budget and the proposal to remove 380 police staff. However, there is more to do, and we are committed to do so over the next 3 years.
How many of the 1,000 extra police staff agreed to be resourced as per the confidence and supply agreement with New Zealand First will be sworn, front-line police?
Martin GallagherDoes the police budget remain on track, even through periods of high demand—knowing that the police are answering more 111 calls and general calls for service?
Yes. The police are working within their budget and prioritising the work, even though on an average daily basis police staff are answering something like 1,400 emergency calls and over 2,500 general calls for their services, around the clock. I commend them for their dedication. I know they are delighted about the promised extra resources, and we will be working with New Zealand First in terms of the allocation of those resources.
Which is correct about police number resourcing: the Speech from the Throne, which indicated the Government would provide an extra 1,000 police staff; or Mr Mark’s supplementary question of 16 November, where he claimed New Zealand First had successfully negotiated for the introduction of an extra 1,000 front-line police—which is it, 1,000 staff or 1,000 sworn, front-line police?
The agreement between New Zealand First and the Labour Party is for 1,000 police staff. That is available for anybody who can read to read, and I am surprised that Mr Power has not read it. However, the allocation between front-line, or sworn, and non-sworn staff is an issue that we are working through with New Zealand First and the police. I can assure the House that the priority for staffing is front-line police. I thought members would be cheering at that, but they are silent. The priority is the front line. The actual allocations will be worked through in an appropriate manner.
Heather RoyHow is she intending to recruit the 1,000 extra police promised to New Zealand First over three Budgets, and will she not actually have to recruit an extra 1,100 police to take account of the current attrition rate?
The police recruit for attrition already, and the way we will recruit is by carrying out a very vigorous recruitment campaign. I have no doubt that, over 3 years, we will achieve our aim. A lot of work is being done right now on a campaign, and resources have already been allocated. I am sure the member will be delighted to hear that.
Chester BorrowsWhat resources will she be seeking from Cabinet, in light of the worsening 111 response times since the communications centre review was completed in May this year?
I am pleased to say that extra resources were secured by my predecessor, George Hawkins, following the review. Those resources will see 73 more call takers at the communications centres by Christmas. Of course, we have had to recruit and train, but the money has gone in. I am sure Mr Borrows, as a former police officer, will be delighted to hear that.
Which is correct, the Speech from the Throne or Winston Peters’ claim to his party’s annual general meeting on 20 November that Greg O’Connor had written to him, thanking New Zealand First for its commitment to providing 1,000 sworn police officers?
What a conspiracy! If the members would like to read the agreement between the Labour Party and New Zealand First, they will see it states “1000 police staff”. I suspect, however, that most of them will be sworn staff.
I seek leave to table the interview in Investigate magazine with John Tamihere in which he said that Dr Cullen’s use of clever words was a useful asset for the Labour Party.
Madam SPEAKERI seek leave to table the agreement between New Zealand First and the Labour Party regarding police staffing numbers.
Hon Maurice Williamson Link to this
In light of the fact that a number of the exchanges during that question involved a party in this House, New Zealand First, and the fact that it may have already used its total entitlement for questions, I think it only fair to seek leave for New Zealand First to be given a supplementary question on this issue.
Hon Maurice Williamson Link to this
Yes, we can seek that another party be given a supplementary question.
Ron MarkI seek the leave of the House to take up the gracious offer from the National Party, especially given that it vetoed me off the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee yesterday, which was a very ungracious act by that group of people, who still do not understand MMP.
The request so graciously put by the Hon Maurice Williamson that New Zealand First be given—without penalty, I assume—an extra supplementary question today to allow me to ask a question.
Does the Minister share the same confidence that I have that any policy decisions and perceived misunderstandings between New Zealand First and Labour will be easily resolved, unlike some of the disagreements between New Zealand First and National that led to the break-up of the coalition agreement back in 1998?
Gerry BrownleeI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Far be it from me to say pat him on the head and call him a poodle, but it would be useful for us to know what disagreement Mr Mark is talking of.
I can assure the House that Ron Mark is no poodle. I can also tell the House that I am very confident that the relationship between New Zealand First and Labour on this matter will be very good indeed, because Ron Mark and I met within a matter of a couple of weeks, and we have already been discussing these issues. That will be ongoing.