Mitchell Mark: Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMitchell Mark: Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 07 August 2013. Volume:692;Page:12468. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney):I moveThat the Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Bill be now read a third time . Kia ora kia orana. Firstly I would like to thank and acknowledge the Hon Todd McClay as the author of this bill and the communities of Murupara and Kawerau who contacted him for help to take a stand against gangs and whose efforts bring us here today for the third and final reading of this bill. I also acknowledge the Law and Order Committee and its chair Jacqui Dean for strengthening the intent of the bill through the select committee process. I also acknowledge our support partners New Zealand First ACT and United Future.The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the display of gang insignia on premises of departments of the Public Service the police Crown entities local authorities and schools. This legislation covers 34 known gangs in New Zealand. These are criminal organisations that are known to harm the fabric of our society. Every day Kiwis are exposed to their intimidation. Today in this Parliament every member who votes in favour of this legislation is standing shoulder to shoulder with these brave Kiwis in saying that enough is enough. The spirit of this bill is sending a clear message to all gang members that what they stand for is not wanted or accepted in New Zealand.To any gang members prospects or associates who may read or watch this speech I would like to send out both a challenge and an invitation. My challenge is for all gang members and prospects to think about the contribution they want to make to New Zealand. At the moment their choice is to rob steal beat and sometimes kill Kiwis who cannot defend themselves. They manufacture and sell drugs and use extortion and stand-over tactics. They rape and they trample over people’s lives like they mean nothing.There are gang members who will be laughing at this speech. Well take a look in the mirror. Behind the tattoos aggression and patches is someone who is either a scared coward who needs to hide in a sea of patches to feel strong or someone who has the courage and strength of character to take the patch off walk away and rejoin a community that needs people to stand up against violent bullies rather than be one of them.To the gang members who have been born and raised in the gang culture break the cycle and want more for the next generation. Every week there are children huddled in the corner of a bedroom late at night on a dirty mattress with a dirty sheet listening to gang members getting drunk the sound of smashing glass and loud abusive voices terrified that their bedroom door will open and one or maybe two drunk or drugged-up gang members will subject them to the pain and fear that no child should be exposed to. Have the intestinal fortitude to protect your children and remove them from the risk of sexual assault and violence which are part of gang culture. Fight to give your children a better start in life.It is not necessary to be a millionaire to keep a home clean and tidy to keep your kids safe or to buy a loaf of bread rather than a joint or a six-pack. Every year millions of New Zealand taxpayer dollars are spent trying to repair the damage and chaos that is caused and inflicted by gangs. This money should be spent on our children and schools or health services for the elderly.I said at the start of my speech that I would make a challenge and an invitation. My invitation is to help any gang member wishing to make a break from a gang. If they have looked in the mirror and what they saw was someone who has the courage and vision to want to get out and be part of building stronger communities rather thanweakening and inflicting harm on them then my door is always open to assist in identifying a safe pathway out. If the reflection shows a violent coward who enjoys hiding behind a patch and hurting people then the best place for you is prison.I would just like to also mention quickly in relation to this bill the fact that there are no other current laws Acts or legislation that cover what this bill covers. Other legislation requires a formal complaint from a member of the public to generate a response from the police. This bill does not require a complaint from a member of the public. When a member of the public is forced into the position where they have to make a formal complaint against a gang member that is intimidating and it can place them in harm’s way. This bill removes that requirement.This bill also removes the requirement—and you will not find this anywhere else in current legislation—that an offence has to be committed whether it be a threat of assault an assault or disorderly behaviour before the police can act. The offence under this legislation is created the minute the gang member puts on a gang patch and walks into a Government building or a school. So this bill removes all of the tension potential conflict and intimidation between gang members and members of the public. It allows the police to act on their own.I would like to finish by sending out a message to our gangs that in New Zealand we do not accept what your gang patches signify. We do not accept the reign of terror intimidation crime and organised criminal activity that you bring to this country. Although this may be a small step it is an important step in us as a country saying: “Leave your patches at home. We don’t want to see them. We don’t accept what they stand for.” This bill is one of many measures that we will continue to take in our fight against gangs and organised criminal groups. Thank you.