Baldock Larry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Baldock Larry: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:607;Page:4412] 
7.  
LARRY BALDOCK (United Future) 
 to the  
Minister of Police 
: Has he been informed of any Police strategy to address the problem acknowledged by the Minister of Justice in his reply to an Oral Question on 27 February 2003 that “gangs are acting frequently in the sex industry at the moment with far too little controls on what they are doing”? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS (Minister of Police) 
: 
 Yes the strategy is noted in the police strategic plan to 2006. I have been advised in general terms of police efforts to counter the activities of gangs and other organised crime groups. This information is also contained in the police document  
NBCI Strategic Assessment: The Vice Scene in New Zealand to June 2001 
. 
Marc Alexander 
: Is the Minister aware that only the Wellington region still has a vice unit dedicated to policing prostitution and is that any reflection of its need given the location of Parliament? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: While I cannot give specific answers about the Wellington scene I can say that in Auckland the police are still actively involved in policing prostitution. 
Taito Phillip Field 
: What initiatives are the police pursuing to counter organised crime as identified in the briefing to the incoming Minister? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: A variety of initiatives are being pursued including intelligence gathering improving international cooperation to target transnational criminal activity and targeting the production and supply of methamphetamines. These initiatives contribute to the police goal of targeting organised crime as a national priority. 
Richard Worth 
: What is the real reason that criminal gangs are not being dealt with and to by the police under the powers that Parliament gave to the police last June in section 98A of the Crimes Act; the police have the power why are they not using it? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: The police use all the powers they have to detect serious criminal activity and this Government has given them more powers so that they can do it even better. 
Dr Muriel Newman 
: In the light of the estimated 21882 gang affiliates in New Zealand can the Minister tell the House exactly how he intends to support the 5781 sworn police officers who are now reporting that they are totally overwhelmed by the magnitude of the gang problem? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: The number of gang members today compared with a few years ago has not greatly changed. Of course the police have the powers and they are getting more powers in order to police gangs which are amongst the groups of people in organised crime. 
Sue Bradford 
: Does the Minister consider that the rounding up and arresting of 12 sex workers in Auckland on a recent weekend contributes to the efforts that some police have undertaken to try to create a better relationship with people working in the sex industry so that they can assist in dealing with major crime like gang-related crime and murder which particularly affect Auckland; how on earth does he think that rounding up and arresting sex workers on a scale not seen for a very long time helps with that goal? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: The relationship that the police have with sex workers varies; it has its ups and downs. But the police do make sure that if there are complaints about breaches of the law they are acted on. 
Larry Baldock 
: What additional resources if any will the Minister make available to police to assist them in ensuring that any licensing and zoning provisions that may be incorporated into the Prostitution Law Reform Bill if it is passed can be effectively monitored and that the undesirable operators will be controlled? 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: While I am not responsible for the bill that will be debated later on today if it is passed the Government will make sure that the police are adequately resourced. 
Larry Baldock 
: Has the Minister seen the Police Association’s submission on the Prostitution Reform Bill which states: “Many police officers believe that the bill would simply legitimise the activities of criminals involved in overseeing pimping in the regulated part of the industry.”? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: This is anticipating a discussion on an order of the day but I will allow the Minister to comment. 
Hon GEORGE HAWKINS 
: Obviously out in the public there are many views on the bill and later on today members themselves will have their opportunity to make their views known. 
Larry Baldock 
: I seek leave to table three documents. The first is a letter from the Archdiocese of Wellington from Cardinal Williams clarifying his position and the Catholic Church’s position in opposition to the Prostitution Reform Bill. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
Larry Baldock 
: The second is a letter from the Salvation Army from Shaw Clifton clarifying its position and opposition to the Prostitution Reform Bill. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
Larry Baldock 
: The third is the New Zealand Police Association submission on the Prostitution Reform Bill which refers to the matters I raised earlier. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is.