9. DAVID GARRETT (ACT) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
How many people have been convicted of a “strike” offence since 1 June 2010, and how many offenders have been sentenced?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) Link to this
The Ministry of Justice has advised me that as at 22 August, 45 offenders have been convicted of a first-strike offence. There have been no convictions of second-strike or third-strike offences. Five of those 45 offenders have now been sentenced.
What effect will the “three strikes” law have on recidivist offenders, who under Labour’s legislation could be released after serving just one-third of their sentence?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
The new law means that the worst repeat violent offenders will not receive parole. Parole is a privilege that must be earned. It should not be granted to those who demonstrate total disregard for the law by continuing to commit serious violent offences despite warnings. Offenders who remain in prison to serve their full sentences will not have the opportunity to commit further crime. This means there will be fewer victims, and that is an excellent outcome.
Grant RobertsonDoes the Minister agree with the ACT Party—and Grant Robertson MP—which recently expressed the view that we should be focusing on zero-tolerance policing, which, as Mr Robertson noted, has been hugely successful in slashing crime rates in New York; if not, why not?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I am always happy to hear suggestions, even when they are from the Opposition. However, I would like to say that the police are now implementing a policing excellence programme, which has a number of work streams that will change the face of policing in New Zealand. Several aspects of the programme have already been trialled, particularly in Counties-Manukau, and the programme is already having a marked impact on community safety. The police will be rolling out these programmes nationwide, and I expect that they will make a very positive impact.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
How many cases have there been where a strike should have been recorded against a sentenced offender but has not?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I do not have those figures for the member, but I am happy to provide them to him should he put down a written question.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I ask you to reflect on that answer. The Minister obviously prepared a set of statistics very germane to the primary question. Is it the case that this Minister will prepare in a very narrow way, and then on a number of occasions simply say—
Mr SPEAKERThe Minister gave a commendably honest answer to the question asked. She told the House that she did not have that particular information. She did not put a lot of political padding round it, and I think it was a perfectly fair answer to the question. She would not have known that exactly that question would come up, and I think she is to be commended for giving an honest, straight answer to the House.