7. Question No. 7—PoliceNICOLE McKEE (ACT) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 7—Police7. NICOLE McKEE (ACT) to the Minister of Police: Will Government actions reduce gang crime and gang members this year?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Minister of Police): I thank the member for her question. Already just today we've seen the result of this Government's record investment in police with the successful conclusion of Operation Evansville which resulted in the arrest of 11 people and the seizure of a dozen firearms methamphetamine and more than $1 million in cash gold high-end vehicles and bitcoins which have been taken out of the hands of organised criminals. Gang numbers and gang crime will only reduce when police and communities work together to disrupt gang operations and to disrupt their flow of recruits by redirecting at-risk young people away from gangs and into employment. I welcome the support of all members of this House on this.Nicole McKee: When was the Minister first made aware of Operation Tauwhiro?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: While I can't speak to the specificity of the date I welcome the member's putting that question in writing and I will get back to her. I'm very supportive of Operation Tauwhiro's desire to ensure that not only do we deal with the impacts of organised crime but we also support the resiliency of our young people to stop being recruited into crime.Nicole McKee: How many dedicated police officers will Operation Tauwhiro deploy to address gang violence during its six-month duration?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Operation Tauwhiro is an all-of-police response to gang violence. Along with the organised crime unit and the resiliency against organised crime this Government has put in more resource and more police to address this particular issue. Organised crime is a scourge on our country and the whole of the police service are dedicated to reducing it.Nicole McKee: Has the Minister seen any plans for how Operation Tauwhiro will be implemented and if so is she confident that it will reduce gang violence?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: More good news. For the past six weeks police in Wairoa supported by staff from Gisborne Napier and Hastings have had a concentrated focus on quelling—[Interruption] Excuse me if the members would like to hear the answer I'd like to give it. Thank you.SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume her seat. There's at least one member in this House who would like to hear the answer and it's me and I will hear it.Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Thank you Mr Speaker. For the past six weeks police in Wairoa supported by staff from Gisborne Napier and Hastings have had a concentrated focus on quelling recent gang conflicts in the area. As a result of this increased focus in Wairoa police have made 15 gang-related arrests and have included members of both the Mongrel Mob and Black Power gangs. A further 10 were arrested on warrants. The focus is in line with the commissioner's announcement of the nationally coordinated Operation Tauwhiro which is focused on preventing harm and on enforcement in our communities.Nicole McKee: Point of order Mr Speaker. I've asked the Minister whether she's seen plans for Operation Tauwhiro and I've heard about arrests. I'd like her to answer the question about whether she's seen plans on Operation Tauwhiro and how it will be implemented.SPEAKER: I think the Minister can—I think all she needs to do is give us a—I know we don't normally force people to do yes or no answers but she was asked a pretty specific question.Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Yes.Nicole McKee: Would the Minister support an amendment to the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 to ensure it is better at targeting and limiting gang crime?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I think that question is better directed to the Minister of Justice.