10. SANDRA GOUDIE (National—Coromandel) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
Has she received any reports on illegal street racer incidents?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) Link to this
Yes. I have received a report that shows that since January 2009 the police have issued more than 1,800 offence notices for illegal street racing incidents, with more in Canterbury than anywhere else.
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Yes. The police regularly report on the disorder caused by illegal street racers. I recently received extremely concerning reports. In the last week alone, an innocent motorcyclist died as a result of two vehicles allegedly involved in illegal street racing, and an innocent 55-year-old woman in her car was smashed into by two teenagers who were allegedly street racing.
Todd McClayHon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I have received a report from the police that shows that 31 boy racers are facing charges—many of them serious—after an illegal street racing incident in Rotorua involving 230 cars and 900 people. It is alleged that those people caused chaos, throwing bottles, and abusing police officers when they arrived at the venue. That type of incident is far too common and demonstrates yet again the need to toughen up the existing law, which is widely acknowledged as being too soft.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
Will the Minister support an amendment to toughen the provisions of the Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill so that permanent confiscation of a third party - owned vehicle would be mandatory after two offences within 4 years, rather than the discretionary confiscation and/or crushing after three offences in 4 years for third party - owned vehicles that her bill currently proposes?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I am sorry to say to that member that following the Labour Party’s minority report on the legislation, which was completely littered with inaccuracies—
Mr SPEAKERHon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I am getting to it. I find it very difficult to accept the member’s statement that—
The House is not troubled whether the Minister finds it difficult to accept a statement. The member asked a perfectly straightforward question; he asked whether the Minister was prepared to consider an alternative to what is currently in the legislation. That question does not deserve an attack on the member; it deserves to be answered.
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I have read a report in the Press from Saturday, 19 September, which states that Labour has been working constructively with the Government on the legislation. The member asked about some specific provisions that he has never once put to me. It is very difficult to give an answer on a proposition he has never brought to my attention or, as far as I am aware, to that of anyone else in this party.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I can do better than only reiterate your earlier ruling. I simply asked the Minister whether I had brought it to her now, a week ago, or whenever. I am happy to repeat the question; she is the Minister in charge of the bill—
I have supported the member’s question, but the Minister gave a perfectly reasonable answer. She made it clear that, on a proposition put to her by way of a supplementary question on a serious matter, she cannot give the member an absolutely unequivocal answer. She pointed that out. I think that was a fair answer. I was totally dissatisfied and unhappy with her earlier attempts to answer the question, but I believe that that answer was perfectly reasonable.