2. MARTIN GALLAGHER (Labour—Hamilton West) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
What steps has the Government announced which implement the confidence and supply agreement with New Zealand First in respect of police numbers?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Police) Link to this
This Government has committed around $387 million in operating costs and $114 million in capital costs over the next three Budgets to enable the New Zealand Police to recruit and train an additional 1,000 front-line sworn police officers and 250 non-sworn police staff, as negotiated with New Zealand First in the confidence and supply agreement. This funding was announced yesterday in Whangarei, Wellsford, and Wiri police stations and will allow the New Zealand Police to intensify the current recruiting programme and training schedule.
Does she stand by her statement yesterday that she does not underestimate the difficulties in recruiting extra police; if not, why not?
Yes, I stand by that statement. I have been saying publicly for about 6 months that the recruitment and training of 1,000 extra front-line sworn police and 250 non-sworn staff, which will be funded by this Government, is a challenge, but it is one that the New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Government are prepared to rise to.
Madam SPEAKERIt is very difficult to hear answers to questions, so would members please just lower their contributions.
Simon PowerHow does she reconcile the fact that 50 of the 406 new recruits will be assigned to traffic patrol with the commitment to New Zealand First to consider separating traffic duties from police; and how did Ron Mark react when she told him, given his statement before the election: “Our communities are not safe, our children are not safe. And all for what? We’re chasing bloody traffic tickets.”?
In relation to the second part of the member’s question, a review of the separation of the police from traffic duties is being undertaken by the State Services Commission, in line with our agreement with the New Zealand First Party. In relation to the first part of the question, 50 of the 1,000 police are going into road policing duties and that is because we know that crooks also drive. The police are likely to pick up crooks on the road when they stop them—drunk crooks—and they are likely to pick up those who have stolen goods and weapons in their cars. So we believe that it is good policing to also have some police out on the roads.
Ron MarkCan the Minister confirm to the House that the good news does not stop just with the introduction of 1,250 extra police staff, that under the supply and confidence agreement with the Labour Government, New Zealand First has secured a commitment towards achieving ratios in police per capita in New Zealand equivalent to that of Australia by 2010, and that the only thing that might interdict that might be the election into Government of a party whose only track record is to cut police numbers? [ Interruption]
It is not for members to comment on others’ questions when they are in fact asking the question. Everyone is on their final warning. Would the member like to repeat his question, please.
Would the Minister like to confirm to the House that the good news does not stop just with the introduction into service of 1,250 extra police staff, that under the terms of the supply and confidence agreement with the Labour Government New Zealand First has secured a commitment to achieving ratios comparable—that is, officers per citizen—with those of Australia by 2010, and that the only risk we can see to that occurring might be the election of a Government whose only track record in police numbers is that of cutting numbers?