Phil Goff
Leader of the Labour Party
16 October 2009 Media Statement
Labour maintains commitment to fight organised crime rings

Opposition Leader Phil Goff reasserted Labour’s commitment to fighting organised crime gangs by urging the Government to support the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into organised crime.

Addressing Police Association members at their Conference in Wellington this morning, Phil Goff said he was prepared to work in a bipartisan way to tackle the scourge of gang crime and drug trafficking in our communities.

“Former Police Minister, Annette King, told your Conference last year that Labour intended to establish a Commission of Inquiry into Organised Criminal Gangs and why that was part of our election policy,” Phil Goff said.

“I reiterate our commitment to holding an Inquiry. I urge the Government to support such an approach which Labour will be promoting through a Members Bill in Parliament.

“The Commission would draw both on the experience of police here and also hear from overseas jurisdictions facing these issues. I am keen to take whatever steps we can to impede and make life as difficult as possible for those who come together as part of an organised criminal group to commit crimes against the community,” Phil Goff said.

“Most New Zealanders think criminal gangs are the patch wearing thugs with facial tattoos. But those who advertise themselves in that way are not the most serious part of the problem.

“It’s the organised criminal bosses who keep a low profile who are behind the most serious crime and making huge profits who are the biggest concern.

“Government agencies estimate that criminal gangs are making well over a billion dollars a year from the trade in P alone. We need to know how they launder their profits through legitimate businesses and about their links with international crime syndicates.

“We need through a Commission of Inquiry to ensure the public is fully informed about the activities of criminal gangs to ensure that the community can back up police action against them.”

Phil Goff told Police Association members Labour is also closely watching any moves undertaken by National that would undermine the ability of officers to do their job.

“The ten percent cut in police vehicles, the cut in police firearms training and the $21 million cut in the Police budget all come into that category,” Phil Goff said.

“At the moment organised crime is in the fast lane and with the reduction of 340 police vehicles the Government is putting police on a cycle lane.

“The Government can't say they are backing the Police up while pulling the resources necessary for you to do your job,” Phil Goff said.

ENDS

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