Lole-Taylor Asenati: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is subject to correctionLole-Taylor Asenati: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 13 November 2013. Volume:694;Page:16. Text is subject to correction.]12.Le’aufa’amulia ASENATI LOLE-TAYLOR (NZ First) to theMinister of Police: What reports if any has she received concerning public harassment and intimidation from street prostitutes and their clients? Talofa lava. I would also like to acknowledge Papali’itele Peter Fatialofa’s family who are farewelling him today at a funeral service in Manukau.Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Police): I have not received any specific reports about public harassment and intimidation from street prostitutes and their clients. As I advised the House when the member asked a similar question in September I have received two reports regarding the Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill. Both of these reports contained some comment on street-based sex workers in South Auckland.Le’aufa’amuliaAsenati Lole-Taylor: Does she believe that a prostitute and their seedy client having sex in the yard of a private citizen constitutes a valid and legal business transaction; if so why?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: Well I have no responsibility for that but I am aware of a situation in Christchurch and I have sympathy with the house owners. I do not think that anyone wants to have that happening in their backyard. However they must not take the law into their own hands. Where they are concerned about unsavoury activities happening in their property they should ring the police immediately.Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor: What does the Minister have to say given her previous answer just before to the residents of Manchester Street Christchurch who are having to shield their children from prostitutes having sex on their street in front of their homes and often on their own property?Mr SPEAKER: Again in so far as there is ministerial responsibility the Hon Anne Tolley.Hon ANNE TOLLEY: What I can say to the member is that the police are well aware of the concerns. They are working with the Prostitutes Collective and with the Christchurch City Council and they are trying to encourage those prostitutes to operate in a safer environment and a more appropriate environment. But I think it is pertinent to note that street prostitution is not illegal. I repeat again that if members of the community are feeling harassed or intimidated or this activity is impinging on their own properties then I encourage those people not to take the law into their own hands but to ring the police.Mr SPEAKER: Supplementary question Asenati Lole-Taylor.Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor: Taylor. Sorry I did not hear my surname completely finished. I thought you did not finish—Mr SPEAKER: Order! Would the member ask her supplementary question.Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor: I am trying. Why are the police investigating a homeowner who simply defended herself whilst trying to remove a prostitute from her property?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: My understanding is that a complaint was laid with the police and that the police are investigating that complaint as I would expect them to do.