8. Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Labour—Waimakariri) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
Does she have confidence in the police?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) Link to this
Yes, and I am surprised that, by implication, the member does not.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
Does the Minister agree with me that victims, their families, and the community are not interested in her trivialising the issue of escapes by providing clever and technical answers to parliamentary questions about whether the escapes happened under the watch of the Department of Corrections or the New Zealand Police, when she is the Minister responsible for both portfolios?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I am sure members of the public would like the member to get his facts right before he comes down to this House to make such statements.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
What specific action has the Minister taken to reassure victims, their families, and the community that she will stem the tide of escapes, apart from touring the country and asking everyone else for his or her ideas on how she should do her job?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I have asked the police for a report on how these escapes happened, and I have received that report. What I have found out is that despite the 9 years of a Labour Government, it never took any steps to rectify the law that currently prevents the police from routinely holding prisoners in restraints. Not only that; the Labour Government’s occupational safety and health laws required the police to have an escape hatch in every police van.
Sandra GoudieHon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I have received a report from the police that shows that violent crime in Counties-Manukau increased by 69 percent in the 4 years from 2003-04 to 2007-08. Recorded violent offences per 10,000 of population are up from 124.1 in 2003 to 191.9 in 2007. The police advise that the district faces constant pressure from rising crime and urgent calls for service.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. This is a tediously long answer to a very simple question that required a very simple answer.
Mr SPEAKERThe member has made a perfectly fair point. The Minister was going on for far too long in answering the question.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
Can the Minister confirm two facts: firstly, that under the previous Government escapes were reduced by 84 percent in 9 years, and, secondly, that thus far under her watch, in the last 3 months, the rate of escapes from police custody is one of the highest in the last 3 years?
Did the police refer to significant additional resources; if so, what significant additional resources were they referring to?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
This Government intends to assist the police to fight crime and protect the public. There will be 300 new sworn police in front-line roles in Counties-Manukau by the end of 2010. The law-abiding citizens of South Auckland deserve better than they ever got from the previous Labour Government.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Kia ora, Mr Speaker. At what point will the Minister call a meeting with community leaders, including those in the gangs, to look at finding enduring solutions to situations such as those that occurred in Murupara 2 weeks ago and Pōmare this week?
Hone HarawiraWill the Minister insist that in future, given the shambolic debacle of the recent police terrorism raids into Tūhoe, the police Māori strategic adviser, Superintendent Wally Haumaha, be fully consulted on every major incident involving Māori groups or communities; if not, why not?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I will not politicise the police by telling them how to do their job, but I will say—[ Interruption] Just calm down. I will say to the member that, as he will be aware, matters relating to the Tūhoe raids—which were made under the Labour Government—are being addressed.