7. Police—Radio NetworksRON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First) to the Minister of PolicePolice—Radio Networks7. RON MARK (Deputy Leader—NZ First) to the Minister of Police: Does she stand by all her statements?Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police): Yes and I particularly stand by my statement that the New Zealand Police are the finest in the world and I am so proud of them.Ron Mark: Does she stand by her statement in 2010 that her Government has continued to invest in staff and equipment that reflect international best practice" with reference to the proposed roll-out of new digital radios?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: It was an awfully long time ago but I am sure I do.Ron Mark: Why then if the police secure digital radio network reflects "best practice" are regions outside of the main metropolitan centres still relying on the unencrypted analogue radio network that is being monitored and listened into by criminals?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: There have been a few developments in those 6 years. One of them is that the police now have iPhones. There is cellular network work that is going on with Vodafone to make sure that they are able to be accessed all round the country and so there is some work going on there.Ron Mark: In response to that answer accepting that cellphone coverage is still not throughout rural New Zealand why did police Minister Anne Tolley in 2013 scrap plans to extend the secure digital radio network for police into rural and provincial New Zealand reversing your commitment—yours the Minister's—in November 2010 that that would happen?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: As much as I would like to be responsible for all the things that everyone has ever done the fact is that I cannot be responsible for what a Minister has done two Ministers back.Ron Mark: On behalf of her Government could she tell the House how front-line police in provincial New Zealand are supposed to improve burglary resolution rates and prevent crime while criminals using cheap scanners are able to listen to their unencrypted analogue radio network allowing them to plan and execute crimes and then make good their escapes before the police arrive?Hon JUDITH COLLINS: I think I explained to the member that police are working with their partner Vodafone on actually dealing with this issue around cellphone coverage in rural New Zealand and there is a plan that is operating at the moment. Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I let it go at the time but the Minister got up and said that she is not responsible for previous Ministers. Well as part of her administration frankly there have been Speakers' rulings that she is.Mr SPEAKER: I think when you consider the question which was why did a particular Minister scrap a programme etc. and considering the very nature of the primary question that was asked the question that was then answered is in accordance with the Standing Orders. Rt Hon Winston Peters: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Could I have some clarification then. Are you saying then that a statement from the Minister that she is not responsible for previous Ministers is in fact now a change in the order of this House?Mr SPEAKER: No I am not saying that at all. I am saying that when I considered the question that was asked and then the answer that was given particularly in light of Speaker's rulings 191/3 and 191/4 the answer that was given was completely in line with the Standing Orders."