3. JOHN KEY (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does she stand by her statement that her Government has “worked hard to meet the challenge of accommodating rising prison numbers,”?
Is the Prime Minister concerned that Daniel Crichton, somebody who has previously been refused bail for serious drug charges, has now been released into the community as part of a deal that saw the return of the stolen medals?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I am advised that the police made a decision not to oppose that bail after full risk assessment, and in conjunction with the Crown solicitor. This is, of course, an operational matter for the police, and in the end it is a judge who makes the decision.
Hon Phil GoffHas the Prime Minister seen statements made in December 2007 that there was a crisis over inadequate numbers of prison cells in New Zealand, and then statements made in February 2008 condemning the Government for oversupply of prison cell numbers; is she aware that both contradictory statements were made by the National Party’s spokesperson on corrections, Mr Power; and does she put this down to confusion or opportunism?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I probably would put it down to both confusion and opportunism. I note that Mr Power has complained both that we have too few prison beds, and now that we have too many prison beds. When he sorts out what his position is, could he let us know?
Is it not a fact that the safety and security of New Zealanders are now being put at risk because someone whom the courts believed was not eligible for bail has now been released back into the community?
What sort of precedent does it set when a New Zealander who has previously been refused bail is allowed to be released back into the community because somehow he was the inside snitch on getting back New Zealand’s medals?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
It is not my practice to attack what an officer of the court does. The decision was made by a judge.
Can the Prime Minister tell the House then whether Daniel Crichton is more or less of a risk to New Zealand society now that he has been released into the community than he was before, when he was not allowed to be released, as a result of giving his information on the medals?
Can the Prime Minister give an opinion then on how secure she thinks our prisons are when Daniel Crichton was able to negotiate the return of the hottest stolen property in the country from his prison cell?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I have no advice on whether the scenario put to me by the member is true.
Hon Trevor Mallard
Madam SPEAKERIf there are any more interjections I will be asking members to leave the House. John Key will please ask the question.
Are not the simple facts of the situation that a New Zealander who should not have been released on bail, who previously had not been released on bail because the judge decided he was too significant a risk to our community, and who was charged with serious drug offences, has now been let out into the community; that he is someone closely associated with the Headhunters gang; and that the only reason that has happened is that he gave information that saw the return of the medals, and is that not an enormous price to pay for the security of New Zealanders?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I do not have advice on that but I do know that John Key’s bail policy is to be seen hongi-ing a man who is on bail for serious firearms charges.
Ron MarkCan the Prime Minister give this House an assurance that Daniel Crichton is still facing drug charges; that those charges will be prosecuted by the police to the fullest extent of the law with vigour; and that if the police are successful, no doubt they will be seeking to ensure that he is returned to the cell from which he came?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
My understanding is that the answer to each of the member’s three questions is yes.
Can the Prime Minister explain what changed between the time when Daniel Crichton was not allowed bail and then, all of a sudden, after giving some information, he received bail?
Gerry BrownleeI raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. A short time ago you looked in the direction of the Opposition and said that if there were any further interjections while a question was being asked, then someone would be leaving the Chamber. I understand why numerous Ministers are upset and on the back foot, but they are repeatedly—[ Interruption] Well, there you are! They are repeatedly interrupting. Normally, if such an interruption occurred, someone like Mr Carter would be out of the Chamber.