Young Jonathan: Gangs and Organised Crime Bill — Second Reading 
Young Jonathan: Gangs and Organised Crime Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:657;Page:6302] 
JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) 
: 
 I would just note that the only positive aspect of the speech from the previous speaker was the mention of Taranaki so I thank Carmel Sepuloni. 
National campaigned on getting tough on gangs. The initiatives contained in the Gangs and Organised Crime Bill represent the first steps this Government will take to deliver on its campaign promises. There has been a marked increase in drug-related crime and violent crime in New Zealand and a very high percentage of that crime has been caused by gangs in our society. The Police Association estimates that we now have 3000 patched or full members of traditional gangs in New Zealand and they are spread across nearly 200 organisations or chapters. This is a major problem that affects and should concern every New Zealander. Let us not be misled by the claims of some people that gangs in New Zealand are groups of people who simply want to be left in peace—albeit behind their fortified walls—as if peace-loving citizens from outside are the real intruders. 
The scourge of P that is destroying the lives and futures of our young people and creating untold heartache amongst families is perpetrated by people who do have not one ounce of concern not one notion of care or responsibility not one iota of decency and contribution to make to New Zealand society. A recent report from the New Zealand Police regarding clandestine P labs indicates that just under 75 percent of these labs are linked to recognised criminal gangs. They ply their evil trade at the terrible expense of innocent people. They ruin lives and devastate our society and any defence of their activity any calling for softening is an outrage. 
Although there may be some members of gangs who seek to be law abiding and respectful of other people’s lives and who want to enjoy their lifestyle uninterrupted unfortunately that minority is extremely small. I have met only two gang members who turned their lives round and sought to help other people to do the same by trying to stop them from entering gangs. I know there may be more but I know of only two; both of them are former gang leaders. Why would they try to stop young people from joining gangs? Because they know that gangs are breeding grounds for lawlessness and untold misery for all those they affect. The wife of one of those men who was a leader of a gang spoke to me of years of violence inflicted upon her until her husband turned his life round. The last I heard was that the district court in their home town was putting law-breaking young people under their care to help stop them from slipping into a life of crime and gang involvement. 
I applaud people like that. They have turned away from a life of drug dealing and violence and have now become contributors to our communities. But those stories are few and far between and we must not be disengaged in the war against crime by the endearing and redeeming stories of a few. We cannot be soft on people who are staunch in their criminal intent. We cannot meet violence and drug trafficking with a soft response under the guise of nonchalance regarding the choices and responsibilities of people. We cannot defend the rights of dealers at the expense of the lives of our sons and daughters. 
Let me read some of the effects of P and why every decent New Zealander should be concerned and should be at war against this insidious drug and its dealers: “Burnt lips weeping sores rotten teeth: the faces of methamphetamine users stare from the computer screen. … The before-and-after pictures show the ravages of meth madness the addiction to a drug of many names. In New Zealand the synthetic drug often cooked up in clandestine labs is called speed pure P burn gooey crank meth crystal ice and Ya Ba. This highly addictive psycho-stimulant mimics adrenalin and triggers the brain’s fight-or-flight mechanism which can make users aggressive and violent. P addicts can also suffer from ‘meth mites’ a side effect caused by the high toxicity levels in the drug. ‘The phenomenon occurs when the body can’t digest the hazardous additives in meth. It instead forces them out through the pores causing sores acne and chronic scratching’ … Users feel like they have insects crawling under their skin. To get those insects out these people scratch claw and dig into themselves making holes in their faces and bodies. The list of health problems that come with P addiction is long and terrifying. It can cause heart damage and strokes memory loss psychosis delusions extreme weight loss hair loss convulsions depression mood swings kidney liver and brain damage respiratory problems and death.” 
The Gangs and Organised Crime Bill presented by the National Government contains measures that are specific and practical. They are designed to achieve results that make New Zealanders safer in their homes and in their communities. This bill gives effect to key components of the Government’s policy on gangs by increasing the penalty for participating in an organised criminal group. The bill amends section 98A of the Crimes Act to increase the penalty for participation in an organised criminal group from a maximum of up to 5 years’ imprisonment to a maximum of up to 10 years’ imprisonment. As the Minister of Justice reported the average prison sentence for this offence between 2004 and 2007 was 2 years. That does not adequately reflect the culpability of those gang leaders who organise serious criminal activities such as methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution without directly offending themselves. 
This bill also expands police surveillance powers in respect of gang communications. The bill lowers the general threshold for those offences that can be used as a basis for interception warrants from those attracting at least 10 years’ imprisonment to those attracting 7 years’ or more imprisonment. This means that police will be able to obtain interception warrants for a wider range of offences such as car conversion. This sends a message to gangs that the net on their criminal activities is widening. This should enhance the prospects of successful prosecutions under section 98A of the Crimes Act. 
The bill also provides greater powers to remove gang fortifications. It provides that a removal order may be sought from a district court in order to remove intimidating structures such as gang forts. This Government argues that gang forts are not only a threat to public safety but also potentially cloak illegal activity. Their very presence is threatening and makes a neighbourhood feel less safe. The Gangs and Organised Crime Bill will therefore give additional powers to have these structures removed if they are intimidating in nature. 
We have heard of the intent of the National Government to bring some changes rapidly into our society to bring safety and security. Unfortunately the previous Labour Government was very slow and very lax in this matter. It was stated on Wednesday 29 October 2008— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: These are Melissa’s notes! 
JONATHAN YOUNG 
: I say to Mr Mallard that just 10 days before the last general election it was reported that “Labour will establish a Commission of Inquiry into gangs and organised crime if it wins the election Police Minister Annette King said …”. She told the Police Association 10 days before last year’s election that “the commission would establish the extent of gang involvement in organised crime and its findings would provide a stocktake on the level of organised criminal activity in New Zealand.” This statement came from the previous Government’s Minister of Police 10 days before the last election which tells us there were 9 years of inactivity. 
I commend this bill to the House in its second reading. I also commend the Minister of Justice the Hon Simon Power for working so hard and so quickly in bringing legislation to the House that gives all New Zealanders greater security and safety than ever before.