11. Question No. 11—PoliceBRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister of PoliceQuestion No. 11—Police11. BRETT HUDSON (National) to the Minister of Police: Does he agree with the Prime Minister's statement regarding the 1800 police target that the Commissioner of Police got it wrong"?Hon STUART NASH (Minister of Police): I agree with the Prime Minister's statement that the target for 1800 is not net. It is new police as per the coalition agreement. I also agree with the Commissioner of Police who in this year's annual review stood by his statements he made for the 2018 annual review that police are recruiting to account for attrition and that Budget 2018 funded them for this and that they are on track to achieve this under the current funding envelope. In the select committee last week members of that party were glowing in their praise for the work of the commissioner and thanked him for his service to his face but no sooner had he left the room than they stabbed him in the back and I find that extremely disappointing and disrespectful.Brett Hudson: Is he aware that in response to an annual review question prior to October of this year—"have you had any communications that there were two targets related to the 1800 target?"—the Commissioner of Police said "No."?Hon STUART NASH: I wasn't at the select committee but I do look forward to seeing a transcript and to getting a reliable and contextual version of what was said. I will also note that the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister are the only two who have control over the coalition agreement.Brett Hudson: When had he previously had discussions directly with the Commissioner of Police prior to October 2019 about the fact that there are two targets for 1800 police?Hon STUART NASH: Let me make this very clear once again—Hon Dr Nick Smith: Just answer the question.Hon STUART NASH: I'm about to answer the question Dr Smith. Listen and you might learn something. SPEAKER: And Dr Smith will stay in order.Hon STUART NASH: In the coalition agreement—Brett Hudson: Answer the question. Hon STUART NASH:—it states—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat. Brett Hudson: Why is the Commissioner of Police saying that the target for 1800 new police includes attrition when the Prime Minister is saying that the target does not mean 1800 additional police?Hon Ruth Dyson: Listen up Brett.Hon STUART NASH: Look listen up. In the coalition agreement it talks about 1800 new police. That is the coalition agreement that we signed with New Zealand First. It is what this Government has said that we will deliver and we were about a year ahead of target. However what the Minister of Finance has funded is 1800 over and above. So there are two targets. There have always been and I have always reported on these two targets.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Supplementary question.Brett Hudson: Supplementary. Can he confirm—SPEAKER: Order! The member doesn't have the call.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Can I ask the Minister: why does he not just refer this matter to the Minister of Education who could give an explanation of what words mean and get rid of this nonsense in the House every day?SPEAKER: Order!Hon STUART NASH: I'm happy to answer that.SPEAKER: No no. I think at any stretch that's not this Minister's responsibility. It might be my wish but it's not this Minister's responsibility.Brett Hudson: Can he confirm that the Government will not have added 1800 new police inclusive of attrition by the end of this parliamentary term?Hon STUART NASH: I can confirm that this Government will have added 1800 new police on 21 November almost a year ahead of schedule."