Simon Power National Party Law & Order Spokesman

29 November 2005

NZ First duped big-time over police

National’s Law & Order spokesman, Simon Power, says it is now clearer than ever that Labour has duped NZ First over the extra police staff agreed to in its confidence and supply agreement.

He today releases the answer to a written question that shows the allocation of extra police will not be decided till after the 2006 Budget.

The answer says: ‘Allocations of additional staff, as agreed between Labour and
New Zealand First, are the subject of negotiations for the Budget 2006.
Determinations around the placement, rank and duties of these staff will
be part of that process with final decisions not expected until next year
in line with budget announcements.’

“Michael Cullen has duped NZ First, well and truly,” says Mr Power.

“He has used clever language to dress it up so it looks like they got what they promised their voters.

“Winston Peters and Ron Mark have been running up and down the country claiming the 1,000 extra frontline police have been wrung out of Labour in return for propping them up in power, when all the time they have been sucked in by Michael Cullen’s play on words.

“Winston Peters repeated the claim at the party’s annual conference earlier this month, as did Ron Mark in a patsy question in the House,” says Mr Power.

“Police ‘staff’ does not mean ‘frontline’ police, and it remains to be seen just how many extra frontline police that agreement will bring.

“They must be very unhappy right now. No wonder we have heard nothing from them over this.

“The real shame is that we urgently need more frontline police. The public expects this.”

From: qwawf
Sent: Tuesday, 29 November 2005 10:41 a.m.
To: Jemma Montagu
Cc: Simon Power; Jemma Montagu
Subject: 09840 (2005) Published - Police - Normal Reply

Question: Are the extra 1000 police staff, as agreed between Labour and
New Zealand First, all frontline police staff; if not, what duties will
they be undertaking?

Portfolio: Police

Minister: Hon Annette King

Date Lodged:21/11/2005

Answer Text: Allocations of additional staff, as agreed between Labour and
New Zealand First, are the subject of negotiations for the Budget 2006.
Determinations around the placement, rank and duties of these staff will
be part of that process with final decisions not expected until next year
in line with budget announcements.

This reply also answers questions for written answer nos. 9844 and 9846
(2005).

Attachment: None

Date Received:29/11/2005

ENDS

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