5. SHANE ARDERN (National—Taranaki - King Country) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
Is she aware of any new initiatives in the fight against organised crime in this country?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) Link to this
Yesterday the Commissioner of Police and I announced a major new weapon in the fight against organised crime and the production of methamphetamine. A new team of 22 hardened investigators is being formed by the police to hunt down and seize the millions of dollars in profits from organised crime.
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Over the past decade or so, gangs in this country have evolved into sophisticated criminal businesses, which make tens of millions of dollars per year, mostly from selling P methamphetamine. Gang bosses have grown very rich. Their ill-gotten gains include farms, houses, cars, boats, and other assets. Organised crime is a business, and this Government intends to put it out of business.
Mr SPEAKERI would point out to the member that he must not bring the Speaker into his question. I ask him to repeat his question without doing that.
I will repeat the question. Why is the Minister going to do this to the assets that are confiscated?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
We are going to do this because organised crime is all about profits. We want to take the profits off criminals and use those profits against them. We will use the money from criminal assets to help to fund initiatives such as rehabilitation for P addicts, Youth Aid programmes, and other initiatives that stop young people from joining gangs. Our message to crime bosses is clear: this Government is not going to support them, we are coming after their businesses, and the New Zealand Police is being given every tool to help to destroy them.
David GarrettIs she monitoring the effectiveness of anti-gang legislation in South Australia, and does she have any plans to recommend such legislation here?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Yes, I am keeping an eye on it. The last time I checked, I understand that there were some issues in relation to a Supreme Court challenge to that legislation in South Australia. I will be meeting with my counterpart in South Australia next month, and I will certainly ask how that is going.