9. Question No. 9—PoliceBRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 9—Police9. BRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister of Police: Does he stand by all the Government's statements actions and policies in relation to firearm law reform?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Police): Yes in the context they were made.Brett Hudson: Does the Government support the introduction of firearm prohibition orders to target illegal firearm use by gangs and violent offenders?Hon STUART NASH: It wasn't that long ago that a previous Prime Minister Bill English had to correct one of his senior colleagues when it came to firearms prohibition orders because they do raise human rights issues. As I have said though I am open to firearm prohibition orders and I have asked police to undertake work on the possible design of this regime to further restrict serious violent offenders' access to firearms. We'll look to consult more widely on this outside of the bill.Brett Hudson: Why after almost a year since opposing National's firearm prohibition bill is the Government still not ready to even start consultation on firearm prohibition orders?Hon STUART NASH: Two things I would say—and I'll just repeat that in the previous Government the Rt Hon Bill English actually had to chastise the then Minister of Police for a flawed bill because of the human rights issues. What I have said and I will repeat is that I am open to firearm prohibition orders. I have asked the police to do some work in this area and we will consult in due time.Brett Hudson: Why isn't he introducing reforms targeting gangs and criminal firearm use and instead focusing on law-abiding New Zealanders?Hon STUART NASH: The Cabinet minute that will be proactively released shortly in summary will confirm that if a person is a member of or has close affiliations with an organised crime group or a gang this will be an indicator of their likelihood of being a fit and proper licence holder. There is one other point I'd like to make: in our 1800 additional officers that we are delivering to our communities 700 of those are going to be in organised crime squads. We are doing a lot of work to go after organised crime.Brett Hudson: What members of Parliament or their offices have made representations to him advising against introducing firearms prohibition orders?Hon STUART NASH: No members of Parliament have advised against introducing firearm prohibition orders. But I would reiterate that I am not against firearm prohibition orders. I have asked the police to do some work around this and we will consult.Brett Hudson: Why is the Government undermining the ability for New Zealanders to have their say on his reforms by only permitting a three-month select committee process?SPEAKER: Order! The Minister does not decide a select committee process.Brett Hudson: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. It was noted in the Government's announcements the other day.SPEAKER: Yes but the Parliament makes that decision. I don't care what the Government wants to do—that's not relevant; they can't.Brett Hudson: Why is the Government seeking to undermine the ability for New Zealanders to have their say on his reforms by proposing a three-month select committee process?Hon STUART NASH: What I would say is the changes that we are making should come as no surprise to anyone. There has been no meaningful change to firearms legislation in 36 years. In fact if that member did his research he would find that a number of the recommendations made were outlined in the Thorp report in 1997.