2. Dr DON BRASH (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does she have confidence in her Ministers of justice, corrections, and police; if so, why?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Deputy Prime Minister) Link to this
Yes, because they are hard-working and conscientious Ministers.
How can the Prime Minister possibly be satisfied with Ministers presiding over a criminal justice system that releases on bail individuals who have imported raw materials for the manufacture of $15 million worth of P, so that those criminals can flee the country; and what changes does the Prime Minister propose to make sure that does not happen again?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Ministers are not responsible for individual bail decisions by the courts. Those decisions are made by the courts, and, as the member ought to know by now, Ministers do not criticise court decisions.
Has the Prime Minister heard the comments by a police officer on Radio Live that: “So many criminals now know they are not going to be held in custody while they are on bail, and it is so frustrating for us as cops to fight bail, oppose bail, and then see the courts let them go and reoffend.”; if so, has she spoken to her justice Ministers about the genuine concerns raised by that police officer?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I doubt very much whether the Prime Minister heard the Radio Live broadcast; she is normally busy with other matters. I am aware of the claims by an anonymous police officer. I am also aware there has been a substantial increase in the denial of bail; it is one of the reasons for the growth in prison numbers in the corrections system.
Is it not true that the case reported in this morning’s New Zealand Herald is the second case in a matter of weeks where two foreign nationals implicated in a very serious methamphetamine charge have fled the country while on bail, and why should all foreigners charged with imprisonable offences not be automatically denied bail?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I think the last move would be an extraordinary and extreme one, but I have no doubt that the courts will take into account the frequency in recent times in which that has happened—if it is two cases in recent weeks. Those are matters that the courts do take into account. But it is a bit rich, when the Opposition members keep calling for cuts in Government spending in the core public sector, to call day after day for increases in both the core public sector and State spending.
Does the Prime Minister expect people to believe the statement by her colleague Jim Anderton that the emphasis for tougher sentencing has been “on the suppliers, manufacturers, and importers” of methamphetamine, when her justice system is actually letting those people out, and can she tell the House today what steps she proposes to take in order to make sure this does not happen again?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I am advised that in the case the member refers to, the police did not seek to oppose bail.
Hon Dr Nick SmithHon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Well, it is a matter for the police to make that decision, and I have said that before in this House. I have listened to Dr Smith say that we are the Government and we are supposed to tell the police what to do in individual cases. That is called a police State. On this side of the House we do not support that.
Ron MarkWould the Prime Minister not concur that one of the reasons that New Zealand First has negotiated a provision into its governance agreement with the Labour Government to have a complete review of the immigration system of this country is that New Zealand First has long been concerned about the number of foreigners who get into this country, only to treat this nation with disrespect by breaking its laws and then fleeing the country, untouched?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I think that is a perfectly fair comment, but I would add, of course, that the vast majority of crime in this country is committed by New Zealanders born in New Zealand.