2. JOHN KEY (Leader of the Opposition) Link to this
to the Prime Minister
Does she have confidence in the Ministers of Corrections, Justice, and Police; if so, why?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK (Prime Minister) Link to this
Yes; because they are hard-working and conscientious Ministers.
How can New Zealanders have confidence in this Government’s law and order policies when Graeme Burton, a paroled killer, was allowed to go on a murderous rampage, resulting in the death of Karl Kuchenbecker and when the coroner has stated that Mr Kuchenbecker’s death might have been prevented if the actions, procedures, and processes of the Parole Board, the Department of Corrections, and the police had been different?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
The coroner’s report identified factors that the Government had already identified and addressed, and on that basis the coroner made no further recommendations for change. I also note that back in 1998 Graeme Burton escaped from Pāremoremo, under Nick Smith’s watch.
How can New Zealanders trust the Government’s parole policies when, on its watch, William Bell was able to kill three people at the Panmure RSA while out on parole, when Graeme Burton was able to kill Karl Kuchenbecker while out on parole, and when—despite the comments the Prime Minister just made about having made changes—in the last few months a convicted paedophile and a convicted rapist have been able to commit vicious sex crimes while out on parole?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
The sentencing legislation, the parole legislation, and the bail legislation have all been tightened by the Labour Government. I note that under the parole legislation we have passed, people now serve, on average, 72 percent of their prison sentence. Under the last National Government they served 52 percent.
Does the Prime Minister agree with the head of the Department of Corrections, who said, after the incident with Graeme Burton and the death of Karl Kuchenbecker: “There is no blood on my hands.”, despite the fact that the report by the chief coroner actually gives quite a different outlook?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
As I said, all the issues the coroner identified were identified by the Government, changes were made, and that is why the coroner said he has no extra recommendations to make—because the Government has dealt with the shortcomings of the system.
Does the Prime Minister support National’s policy where we are proposing to put $35 million into army-style correction camps for young people?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
We have many initiatives dealing with youth offending, and I am pleased to say that as a result of the very strong focus on youth gang activity in Counties-Manukau—
Hon Dr Nick SmithRt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
Far from getting worse, as Mr Smith asserts, actually the police say there is less criminal activity and fewer serious offences now from those with youth gang affiliations. [ Interruption] I know that the National Party does not like the facts, but those they are.
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
Can the Prime Minister confirm that there has been substantial success in both Rotorua and Hamilton as a result of the upgraded services of the Māori wardens, an organisation that New Zealand First found the funds for in the last Budget?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I am pleased to say that there was significantly more support—with support from support parties—for the Māori wardens in the last Budget. Māori wardens are now receiving training at the Police College in Porirua. They are doing a fantastic job, and we are now trialling whether we can extend that sort of work to Pacific communities with Pacific wardens.
Does the Prime Minister stand by her statement a few moments ago that she seriously believes the issue of youth gangs is improving in South Auckland, not getting worse?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I am advised by the police that there is less criminal activity and fewer serious offences in Counties-Manukau now from those with youth gang affiliations. The Leader of the Opposition might not like it—he may like to run around with his slogans, but that does not make them true; they patently are not.
Hon Phil GoffCan the Prime Minister confirm that the last time that National trialled boot camps in New Zealand the reoffending rate was 95 percent—the highest rate of reoffending for any form of dealing with young criminals—and that the police complained that the only thing they achieved out of them was fitter criminals?
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
I am sure that is correct. Of course, the Leader of the Opposition wants to think that he is doing something when, in fact, he comes up with failed solutions time and time again.
Did the Prime Minister read the New Zealand Herald on Monday, 9 June, the day after Navtej Singh was killed, and if she did not would she like me to read for her where it stated: “Last night, neighbours of the store were reluctant to speak for fear of retribution from gangs, which they say are rife in the area. Teenagers hanging around the shop told the Herald they weren’t surprised when they heard about the shooting. ‘It was just another day,’ said one. ‘There’s always street gangs hanging around here. There’s always fights in this street.’ ”; and does the Prime Minister know that those youth gangs went back and actually tagged Navtej Singh’s store? So if she thinks the situation is improving maybe she needs to get down to South Auckland and have a look.
Rt Hon HELEN CLARK Link to this
There is an old saying that one swallow does not make a spring. I invite the Leader of the Opposition to respond to me today on the letter that has gone to the Opposition today, where the Government seeks the support of the National Party for increasing the maximum penalty from 5 to 10 years for participation in an organised criminal group. That will also make it possible for the police to get the interception warrants they need for investigations under section 98. The Government is also asking for National’s support relating to aggravating and mitigating factors like gang membership being taken into account in sentencing. If the National Party is going to be more than just talk, I look to its response today to the Minister of Justice confirming its support for that bill.