10. Question No. 10—JusticeCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green—Auckland Central) to the Minister of JusticeQuestion No. 10—Justice10. CHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green—Auckland Central) to the Minister of Justice: Does she have confidence in the Government's approach to regulating the use and supply of all drugs including alcohol?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN (Minister of Justice): I have absolute trust and confidence in the extensive work our Government has done in drug law reform particularly with respect to regulation. I want to acknowledge the former Minister of Justice Minister Andrew Little for his work there. Though there is always further work to do—and one area I think our Government does agree that there is further room for work is in the area of alcohol policy.Chlöe Swarbrick: Is she aware that in 2020 over 4000 people appeared in court for cannabis offences and if so does she endorse continued criminalisation of cannabis use and supply?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: I note that the Misuse of Drugs Act is not within my delegation; it's within the delegation of the health Minister.Chlöe Swarbrick: Point of order Mr Speaker. I'd make the point that the Minister of Justice is responsible for the facilitation of the criminal justice system including our courts.SPEAKER: Sorry what was your question again?Chlöe Swarbrick: My question pertained to whether she is aware that in 2020 over 4000 people appeared in court for cannabis offences and if so whether she endorses continued criminalisation—that is the criminal justice system and prosecution therein—of cannabis use and supply.Chris Bishop: Speaking to the point of order. The Minister of Justice is responsible for the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.SPEAKER: I rule that the Minister should answer in so far as she does have responsibility—in particular the first part of the question.Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: I am aware that since the 2019 amendments total convictions for cannabis use and possession have fallen by 48 percent from 2565 to 1335. I'm also aware that in 2021 and 2022 144 people were convicted of cannabis possession and/or use as their most serious offence. We've seen a substantive reduction in the way that New Zealanders have been prosecuted for personal use of cannabis. In addition we'll also be aware that here in Aotearoa we have the clean slate legislation. So after somebody is convicted for a possession-like offence their record will be expunged within seven years.Chlöe Swarbrick: Does she believe that one person convicted for cannabis use in this country is a fair outcome when health data shows that more than 600000 New Zealanders used cannabis last year alone?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: We're in an interesting position here in New Zealand because we did go out to the public at the last general election. We asked the public as to whether or not cannabis should be decriminalised here in New Zealand—Hon Members: Legalised.Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: Legalised; my apologies. Goodness me it's been one of those days! But what happened there is that the New Zealand public said No". And therefore that has meant that with respect to further reform when it comes to the regulation of cannabis whether or not things are legal or not—we went to the electorate and they said "No". So whether or not I have a personal view or otherwise is redundant. We amended the law in 2019. In 2019 we enabled the discretion to sit squarely with the police as to whether or not they charge and indeed we've seen a radical reduction since the introduction of those amendments in 2019.Chlöe Swarbrick: Does she believe that the presumption of supply for specified quantities of cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act is fair and reasonable given it contravenes the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act presumption of innocence?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: Again the Misuse of Drugs Act does squarely fall within the purview and any amendments related to that fall within the purview of the Minister of Health. That is the presumption—Hon Gerry Brownlee: Wasn't a health question. Simple justice question.Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: No the Misuse of Drugs Act Mr Brownlee is the responsibility of the health Minister.Chlöe Swarbrick: Will she consider adopting my Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Harm Minimisation) Amendment Bill—which implements recommendations made in Government-commissioned reports such as the safe and effective justice review—as a Government bill?Hon KIRITAPU ALLAN: I just want to acknowledge the member for her continued advocacy on drug law reform; including alcohol. I want to acknowledge the many members in this House that have advocated for reform of alcohol law policy. I'm looking particularly at you Lydia up there in the back—10 years on the front line. We will be introducing a Government position on the alcohol law reform. Your bill is a member's bill and our caucus will vote according to their conscience."