Newman Muriel: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Newman Muriel: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:624;Page:19115] 
7.  
Dr MURIEL NEWMAN (Deputy Leader—ACT) 
 to the  
Minister of Police 
: What has been the total cost to date including staff time of the police investigation announced in February last year into historical rape allegations against the police and what has been achieved? 
Hon PHIL GOFF (Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade) 
 on behalf of the 
 Minister of Police 
: I am advised that the total operating costs of investigations into historical rape allegations up to 28 February 2005 is $1603645. Further I am advised that 48500 hours had been spent on the investigations up to the date of 28 February. I should advise the member however that it is not appropriate for me to comment on ongoing police investigations or matters that are already or may be soon before the courts. 
Dr Muriel Newman 
: Does the Minister have any concerns that when those costs that he has just given to the House—the costs to date of the police inquiry—are added to the $1.4 million cost of the now suspended Prime Minister’s commission of inquiry it will mean that when completed this matter is set to be the most expensive criminal inquiry in New Zealand’s history; if he does have any concerns what are they? 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: That question is interesting in conjunction with earlier questions where members in the House have stressed that it is vitally important that in matters pertaining to misconduct or alleged misconduct by the police there needs to be full investigation to maintain public confidence in the police. Yes I regret that this sort of money has to be expended but yes I also believe that it is necessary for the money to be expended. It will not have escaped the member’s notice that in the  
New Zealand Herald 
 this week it is reported that charges have been laid against a former police officer who operated in Kaitaia in 1988. 
Dr Muriel Newman 
: Does the Minister accept that setting up two separate inquiries at the same time has resulted in this explosion in costs; and with the advantage of hindsight does he think the Commissioner of Police was wrong to set up his inquiry or was the Prime Minister mistaken in setting up an inquiry that has done nothing and so far has cost $1.4 million? 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: There are two separate purposes to the inquiry. There is of course an inquiry by the police which will lead or may have led to actions before the court to determine the specific instances where allegations have been made. Alongside that it is important that there is a wider inquiry into whether there was a systemic problem in terms of the culture of the police. That is the inquiry that will be carried out led by the High Court judge and Margaret Bazley. It is important for public confidence that that inquiry does take place but not before the matters before the court have been dealt with. 
Dr Muriel Newman 
: Why is it good government to have initiated two inquiries one of which has had to be suspended but has cost $1.4 million because it was set up too early; and if the Prime Minister and the public had any confidence in the Minister of Police does he really think she would have insisted on a second and parallel inquiry at this time? 
Hon PHIL GOFF 
: Of course the broader inquiry was set up first. As matters unfolded and sufficient evidence was apparently gained by the police to take their inquiries further the first inquiry had to be suspended. But I do not recall any members of the member’s party opposing the setting up of the committee of inquiry in the first instance. That party seems to have changed its tune.