Cosgrove Clayton: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Cosgrove Clayton: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:658;Page:6922] 
5.  
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Labour—Waimakariri) 
 to the  
Minister of Police 
: Does she stand by her statement that “the government has taken prompt action to crack down on violent crime.”? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) 
: 
 Yes. Since entering Government less than a year ago we have provided almost $200 million for extra police and we have introduced progressed or passed 10 bills aimed at making New Zealand safer: the Domestic Violence (Enhancing Safety) Bill the Gangs and Organised Crime Bill plus eight others. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: Is the Minister satisfied that her Government’s so-called prompt action to crack down on violent crime is working given that the latest crime statistics show a 7 percent increase in recorded violent crime for the last financial year including a 4.9 percent increase in the first 6 months alone of this year? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: In fact any increase in recorded violent crime is not acceptable. However a 7 percent increase is significantly less than the 11.1 percent increase recorded the year before that. I ask that member to remember that half of that 7 percent increase was recorded under his Government. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: Does the Minister agree with her colleague Simon Power who claimed that 54 murders in the 2007-08 financial year was an example of violence running wild under a Labour Government; if so are the more than 62 murders in the first 9 months alone of this calendar year an example of violence out of control under the John Key - led National Government? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: I think that is somewhat foolish particularly given that half of those figures were actually recorded under the previous Labour Government. But I like Mr Power was appalled when Annette King as Minister of Police felt that violent crime had gone up under her watch all because of the sun and the moon. This Government blames criminals for crime; we do not blame the sun and the moon. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: Given the increase in the crime rate and the news that police are taking longer to respond to top-priority emergency calls does the Minister now accept that the last thing the Police needs is a $21 million cut to its budget the loss of 340 police vehicles and the rationing of firearms training? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: If only that were true. The Police has told that member time and time again that there was not a $21 million cut to its budget; I am sorry that he continues to try to undermine senior police in their statements. As for the firearms training that is a fortuitous question because the firearms training review was started back in May 2007 when Mrs King was the Minister of Police. 
Sandra Goudie 
: Has the Minister seen any other reports commenting on the Government’s efforts to combat violent crime? 
Hon JUDITH COLLINS 
: Yes I have seen Mr Cosgrove’s press release commenting on the crime statistics for the year ended 30 June 2009 in which he appears to have forgotten yet again that his party was in Government for half of that year. He has also forgotten the 10 legislative steps taken the $200 million extra provided in Budget 2009 and that he does not support this Government’s stand against P. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: I seek leave to table the transcript of the testimony before the Law and Order Committee of the Commissioner of Police in which he notes that cuts in the Police budget will indeed create greater risk than— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Is the member seeking leave to table a transcript of a document received by a select committee? 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: Yes indeed. It is a public document that has been released. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I thought that Parliament would eventually have access to such a document. 
Hon Clayton Cosgrove 
: With respect I know your rulings on tabling documents almost off by heart Mr Speaker. It is my right to table a document; I am seeking to table it. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table a transcript of evidence given to a select committee. Is there any objection to that? There is objection.