Hutchison Paul: Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Bill — First Reading 
Hutchison Paul: Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:638;Page:8136] 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Port Waikato) 
: 
 I rise to take a brief call on the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Bill. National will support the referral of this bill to the select committee but not because we disagree with Hone Harawira that the principle of someone being deemed to be not guilty until proven to be guilty should remain as the basis of law in New Zealand. We absolutely agree with the member that that indeed is the normal course of events that should be followed. 
Hone Harawira 
: However! 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON 
: However—the member is quite correct—we do know that the drug problem in New Zealand has become extremely difficult and complex. The extremes that individuals who sell drugs go to are quite extraordinary so it is reasonable that we take this bill to the select committee in order to further explore mechanisms as to how those who sell illegal drugs in New Zealand may be defeated. 
There is no doubt that there has been an explosion of illicit drug-dealing in this country very much to the detriment of a large number of people. In Pukekohe in the electorate of Port Waikato which I am very proud to represent there was recently a march against P— 
Darren Hughes 
: Bring back Bill Birch! 
Dr PAUL HUTCHISON 
: He is coming back in the next week or so to tell the Labour Government a thing or two about the error of its ways I assure the member. But in the meantime Port Waikato has an excellent member. The march against P which originated in Pukekohe then spread throughout the country. It came down to Parliament. It was led again this year in Pukekohe and Pita Sharples was there showing the way and demonstrating once again the huge concern we have at the grassroots level for the destruction of families that is being caused by drugs in this country. Because of that I think it is appropriate that we explore every possible measure that we can in order to see whether the drug rings cannot in one way or another be defeated. 
I do note from the general policy statement that a variety of jurisdictions in Australia Ireland and the United Kingdom have introduced legislation that enables criminal proceeds to be targeted without a conviction necessarily being obtained. I am aware that in Western Australia such legislation has been operating for some time and I understand that it has sent a clear message to those who deal illicitly in drugs that they will have to mend their ways. It seems to me given the fact that in New Zealand in the last 6 to 8 years we have seen an explosion in the number of P labs busted—from about three or four a year back in 1997 to over 200 a year in the last few years—that unless we look at every possible measure available and at leaving no stone unturned then we are not doing our duty in ensuring that everything possible is done to stop this despicable criminal behaviour. 
 So National will support the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Bill going to a select committee where I hope that question will be thoroughly looked at. As I said before although I do agree with Hone Harawira that the principle of being deemed to be not guilty until proven to be guilty should indeed remain as the basis of the philosophy behind criminal justice in this country it is appropriate that we leave no stone unturned and that we try to think of every possible approach in our effort to stop illicit drug-dealing in this country. Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker.